As students and parents begin traversing the college landscape, there is one question we college professionals receive more than any other. No, it’s not “where is the best place to study on campus?” Or, “what food venue has the best pizza?” It’s not even, “how can we as parents help set our child up for success while in college?” Instead, the question we get asked the most is about residence hall living. Students and parents receive a lot of helpful information about this topic and yet they continue to ask, “What does my child need to actually take with them to set up their dorm room?” This age old question has some really simple and often overlooked answers! Check out the video and the text below to learn find out what we’re talking about.

Some colleges have programs where you can order bedding in advance and pick them up upon arrival. However, these tend to be expensive options and fail to express your child’s personality! Picking sheets should not cause family angst. Still, figuring whether to buy twin regular or twin extra long bedding causes many families a great deal of strife. Look for college specials at Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. Many of these stores will carry sheets with expandable corners that can be used for both sizes of bed. Now while you’re out spending brain cells for sheets, don’t forget your child also needs a comforter and pillows!

Yes, your student will need a smartphone and as long as it’s reliable and sturdy, the one they already have should be fine! Calling home is one thing, but the need for a safety net and alarm clock (found on their phone) is essential for student success while in college, especially if you expect them to go to class. Virtually every college and university has multiple computer labs so your student can get by not bringing a computer to campus if that is what a family determines.  Additionally, your student will need a copy of their insurance card–it doesn’t matter who’s plan they are on or what insurance company, if a student can’t prove they have it, that’s a problem. At a minimum they’ll need it both for university verification as well as emergencies when they arise. 

And let’s be clear folks, emergencies will arise.

These emergencies lead to the phone calls you will get about, among other things, your child being sick. And here is where the thermometer comes in. As they call you complaining of aches and pains and lethargy you are going to want to know what their temperature is so that you can appropriately direct them to the resources they will need to start feeling better! See how these three items are connected?!?!?!

Now these items are not quite must-haves as some residence hall rooms are far more spacious than others. However it is likely that your student will need some additional storage space. Check out Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Goods, Ross, or other options near home or campus for great storage solutions such as under beds, over cabinets etc. It is also possible that your student’s room will have a safe or something similar in it. Though not always necessary, it will be stress -reducing at times for your student to lock up some valuable items. Additionally, you will likely want a lock for a laptop. These items are where you need to do a little bit of research prior to the day of departure for your student’s college.

In this digital age, longer and better charging cables have become a staple for happy living on campus. I suggest 10 foot long cables. We suggest at least more than one option lengthwise. Also, it helps to have one charging cord that stays in the room and one that can travel. Oh, an extra battery charger is a great help for college students on the go!

Now here is where it gets tricky…your child does not need all their clothes now. Depending on geography, it is likely that you will make a trip to visit them within the first term, and/or they will come home for a weekend and you all can certainly carry some appropriate weather related clothes with you. It is also likely that they did not move to a country a million miles away and that the USPS, FedEx and UPS all can deliver a box of cooler weather clothes at any time!

It is important to remember that your student likely did not move to a third world country (or rural Iowa). There’ll be plenty of places nearby to buy needed goods like laundry detergent. It is also almost 100% guaranteed that the college will host poster sales, etc. Your student will find clothes and items for their room that help express their personality and demonstrate school spirit. No reason to potentially schlep these items 1,500 miles.  Lastly, the best gift you can leave with your child (along with a good moral compass and strong family values) are gift cards. This allows them to not stress when they need to run to Target or another store. It also gives your child some potential off-campus dining options and easy Amazon buying opportunities. 

Thus, don’t let this topic stress your family out so much you all find strife and discord in the packing process–it should be fun and something and easy to do before you send your kid off…or before you say goodbye after dropping them off at college!

If you would like to talk this through in greater detail, drop me a note at denise@www.collegeroutemap.com.

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