| If you are the parent of an up and coming college | | | | Bath items.. again do not spend a fortune on towels... |
| freshman student, you will soon be inundated with | | | | most do not make beyond one year. I would get 3 |
| mailers for dorm room shopping. Some will come | | | | bath size, 2 washcloths and 1 hand towel. A bathrobe |
| from the big box stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond, | | | | and a pair of flip-flops is a must. A small plastic carry |
| others will come direct from an "approved" college | | | | container to store their soap, shampoo etc is the |
| service. In addition, your student will have a hit list of | | | | only other item they really need. I would buy a mesh, |
| items on their own. So sit back, take a deep breath | | | | collapsible laundry bag. They are lightweight, easy to |
| and try not to spend your mortgage payment on | | | | carry and can fit a ton of dirty clothes. I would also |
| furnishing their dorm room. | | | | find out how the laundry room works. Do they need |
| As a mother of four, all close in age and all past and | | | | quarters? I always have rolls ready for September! I |
| present collegians, I have gleaned some insight into | | | | also bring bags of coat hangers..they can never have |
| this process that may save you some money and | | | | enough! |
| make the process a lot easier. First and foremost, I | | | | Fridge, Computer and Electric |
| have found from experience that it is cheaper for | | | | Check the college housing information sheet to see |
| you and your student to shop yourself than buy the | | | | what they supply. You may not need a desk lamp. |
| packages direct from the school. I start in the spring | | | | You can usually rent a micro-fridge for cheaper and |
| and save, acquire and beg all the Bed, Bath and | | | | less aggravation than bringing your own. Check on |
| Beyond coupons I can get my hands on. This retailer, | | | | the air conditioning situation. I have found that even |
| which I have no affiliation with, is the most customer | | | | with air-conditioned rooms, they still need a fan. An |
| friendly. You can use as many coupons as you have | | | | alarm clock is really useful. They have a great one |
| items. They also take all of their own expired | | | | that also recharges their I-pod. It is a worthy |
| coupons. They also have an incredible selection and | | | | investment, even if they tell you they will use their |
| good quality. Finally, they have a service where you | | | | cell phone alarm! |
| can order it and it will be waiting for you at a store | | | | Finally, check the information sheet for what you will |
| near your college. It could not be easier. | | | | need to hook up the computer. Some have wireless |
| Bedding | | | | access but require a card. Others have only Ethernet |
| In terms of what you need. Let's start with bedding. | | | | access which require a cord. I would spend money on |
| Most all college dorms have twin extra long | | | | a quality surge protector and a computer lock. They |
| mattresses and if you want your bedding to fit, | | | | can wrap it around their desk leg and it will prevent |
| that's what you need to purchase. Check with your | | | | theft. Extension cords and one additional multiple |
| college information and confirm if that is the case. I | | | | outlet strip are usually needed. A ream of computer |
| would purchase the least expensive bedding that is | | | | paper and a small box with desk supplies of pens, |
| still of decent quality. Why?? Because as soon as | | | | paper, scissors and tape at least! Also bring a small |
| they move out of the dorm, they will never again | | | | tool kit, it seems like we were always using it for |
| have a twin extra long mattress. These sheets do | | | | something. |
| not fit regular twin beds. So no more than two sets | | | | Once you arrive and check out the room, there are |
| is necessary. Trust me, there is no need to spend | | | | always things you will want to get once there. |
| $300 on a designer bedset for a college dorm. There | | | | Underbed storage boxes and yaffa blocks may be |
| is usually a great assortment of colors and patterns | | | | needed but not always. And remember to bring your |
| available for half the cost. What I would recommend | | | | coupons.. you can use the last of them for purchasing |
| is a twin feather bed to lie under the fitted sheets. | | | | these on-site items! |
| College mattresses are usually hard or lumpy and this | | | | Say Good bye and plan a Care Package |
| feather bed will make it much more comfortable. | | | | It is a stressful time for both the kids and parents, |
| Throw in two pillows and a backrest and their beds | | | | so try to relax. You'll be missing them like crazy as |
| are good to go. The backrest in my opinion is a | | | | soon as you drive off the campus! On your way |
| necessity. They spend a good amount of time sitting | | | | home, start thinking about what kind of care |
| on their beds with their books and lap top studying | | | | package you can put together. Those are among |
| and this makes for a comfy sit! | | | | their most prized packages from the campus post |
| Bath and Laundry | | | | office! |