Dorm room shopping- it's a big list!

At this point you will have a much more realistic idea of what you REALLY need to buy to make that perfect dorm room, but you aren't quite there yet. Check out some other websites to see what their check lists look like. No list will have exactly what you need except your own list! Print a few to get the best combination for your needs.

Add or delete from this list according to your own needs.

KITCHEN NEEDS
Plastic bowl and cup
Coffee cup
Fork, knife, spoon
Can/bottle opener
Chip clips
Favorite snacks and airtight storage containers

ROOM NEEDS/STORAGE
Bedside lamp
Alarm clock/clock radio
Wastepaper basket
Milk crates or other sturdy storage cubes
Stacking baskets
Under-the-bed storage trays
Lots of hangers
Desk lamp
Fan
Drying rack
Adhesive hooks, tacky adhesive, and mounting tape
*check with school for acceptable items
Bulletin board and push pins
Dry erase wall calendar/board
Toolkit

ELECTRONICS
Computer and printer
Phone cord/Ethernet cord for computer
Headphones
Surge protector with long cord
Extension cords (if allowed by university)
3-2 prong adapters
Phone (Some universities provide phones)
Portable CD or cassette player

LINES/LAUNDRY SUPPLIES
Sheets and pillowcases (2 sets. Many colleges
twin beds are extra long.)
Towels (3 each of bath, hand, and face)
Pillows (2)
Headrest pillow
Mattress pad
Egg crate or foam topper for more comfort
Blankets (2)
Comforter and duvet cover
Clothes hangers (new hangers take up less space)
Laundry bag/basket
Laundry marking pen
Laundry stain remover
Roll(s) of quarters
Quarter dispenser
Lint brush
Sewing kit

TOILETRIES/MISC
Pepto-Bismol®
Imodium®
Aspirin or ibuprofen
Vitamin C
Neosporin®
Band-Aid® bandages
Cough drops/throat lozenges
Shower tote
Shampoo & conditioner
Hair-styling products
Bath and face soap
Traveling-soap container(s)
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Dental floss
Comb/brush
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Hair dryer
Razor and shaving cream
Lotion and/or facial moisturizer
Q-tips®

OFFICE/DESK SUPPLIES
CD-ROMs/Memory Sticks
Phone/address book
Assignment book
Heavy-duty stapler and staples
Printer paper
Pens and pencils
Pencil holder and sharpener
Notebooks
Pocket folders
Labels of various sizes
3 x 5 or 4x6 cards
Post-it® notes
Paper clips
Rubber bands
Scissors
Highlighter pens (multiple colors)
Ruler
Stackable desk trays (at least 4)
Hanging files or folders
Dictionary and thesaurus
Stamps/envelopes

MISC/CLEANING ITEMS
Paper towels
Trash bags
Lightbulbs
All-purpose cleaner* Wipes might be a good idea!
Ziploc® bags
Kitchen storage containers
Laundry detergent (tablets are easiest to manage)
Fabric softener (sheets are easiest to manage)
Dish soap
Wet wipes
Tissues

CLOTHING GUIDELINES
21 pairs of underwear
21 pairs of socks (more if you play sports)
7 pairs of pants/jeans
14 shirts/blouses
2 sets of sweats
Pajamas
Slippers and/or flip-flops
2 sweaters (if appropriate)
Light/heavy jackets
Gloves/scarf/hat (if appropriate)
boots
sneakers or comfortable/walking shoes
dress shoes
1 set of business attire-or more as needed
semi-formalformal attire (optional)

SHARED ITEMS
(Check with roommate(s) to avoid duplication.)
Audio equipment
TV and VCR/DVD player
Coffee maker/hot pot
Microwave/toaster oven-may be provided
Small refrigerator-may be provided
Area rug
Camera
Posters/art

I know it seems like a lot of work, but if you are like me, you don't want to forget anything. If I am working from more than one list, I am sure to overlook something. Take the extra 10 minutes and add or delete from the list that looks the most similar to your individual needs. Get rid of the other lists. Recycle that paper!

Now that you have "the list", go through it and check off the items that you may already have in your home.
Computer, printer, blanket, toiletries, etc..

Contrary to popular belief (your child's), it is NOT necessary to buy every item on the list. Once you have a working list it is time to start planning.

If your child will have room mates, it would be a good idea to have them coordinate with them about who brings the coffee maker, the shower curtain and bathmat, the (gasp!) cleaning supplies. There is no need for 2 or more sets of cleaning supplies as we full well know exactly how much those rooms will actually be cleaned!

After you have added, deleted and reduced, print at least 5 copies of this list. Keep one in the car, on in your purse/wallet one in the room where you are storing your purchases, one for packing it all up.

When you have your lists printed and stored, you are ready for the next step.

Keep your list where you store all your purchases. Whenever you add to your ever growing pile, make sure you mark it off the list. Before you know it you will be finished. OR- you will have to rent a storage unit!

Moving day is a stressful and possibly emotional day. Remember above all to bring your sense of humor with you. Have fun, but give advice as sparingly as possible. I know this is your last chance, but they are the ones staying behind and they know what they want it to look like. If you are lucky, they will want you there to help them make their new dorm room their own.

Once you are finished and ready to say your final good-bye, take a picture of their first space to remind yourself that this in the beginning of a new adventure.
Take it from me, it is a lot easier to say good-bye when you know they have a space that is comfortable and warm.

When you are in the car and driving away, I suggest a tissue or two...just in case you find yourself with tears in your eyes.

Then, congratulate yourself on a job well done!

Visit Isle of Squid

The Isle of Squid
Please leave a review of this lens if you would!