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WHAT DO I NEED FOR COLLEGE AND MY COLLEGE DORM?
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 Hey,
you made it! Now that you're going to be living on campus, what do you
really need? What do they mean by college dorm needs?
College Dorm Needs
Okay, back to what you need for your dorm room. College dorm needs.
Just about every dorm room for two is furnished with a bed, a dresser, a desk and a chair for each student. There may be a mirror, but you might want to check out if they supply a good desk lamp or you need to supply your own. Some schools do NOT allow halogen desk lamps, so it's a good idea to find out before you buy.
When you ask yourself, "What do I need for college?", well, obviously, you're going to have to buy books, pens, pencils, a computer, (maybe a laptop). Maybe your school lets you have a small apartment-sized refrigerator, or a microwave. There's a good chance that you're on some kind of meal plan, at least for your freshman year.
But what do you need for your dorm room?
Well, most on-campus housing has extra-long, or Twin XL
bedding. That means that regular twin-sized sheets will not fit. Take a
look at our page How
Big Is Your Bed?
The difference between a Twin and a Twin XL is:
Twin beds measure 39" X 75"
Twin Extra Long 39" X 80
... so five inches in length. Obviously, a regular twin fitted sheet
won't fit. Check with your individual school for information. Don't worry,
though. Twin XL sheets fit just fine on a twin bed!
Back to what you need. A good rule of thumb is a minimum of at least three
sets of linens. Why three? One on the bed, one off the bed and one in
the laundry.
You'll certainly want a comforter
or blanket. One you can wash and dry easily. And you'll probably want to
coordinate colors with your linens to make an easy-care, good-looking room.
You'll need a good, comfortable pillow.
Maybe one that reminds you of home.
Mattress pads
and pillow protectors are sanitary, hygienic and important to
include. We've got Bed
Toppers if you'd
like to make your bed thicker and more comfortable. Allergy problems? No
problem! Check out our Hypoallergenic resin-free sheets and comforters!
How about
towels? We recommend a minimum of four depending upon how often you will
be doing your laundry. Our luxury, heavyweight bath towels can stand up to
many, many times through the laundry. And a shower
wrap for after
the shower, especially now that you will be travelling down a hallway to get
to and from the bathroom. Why not look great before and after you scrub?
You'll want
A Shower Caddy
Soap and Toothbrush Holder
Hair dryer, curler, brush
Electric/Regular Razor
Soap, Shampoo, Toothpaste, Deodorant,
Aftershave (and any other personal toiletries you prefer)
First Aid Kit
Laundry Bag
Cosmetic Swabs
Mirror
Desk Lamp
Alarm Clock
Phone, Phone Card
Surge Protectors/Extension Cords
Plan on "stocking up" on your toiletries from
home. Once you're at school, you'll need to plan your budget around food, fun, and
necessities.
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Now, I thought I'd share my own experience with sending a child off to college.
Back in September, I had my first opportunity to feel what it was like to send a child off to school. My son, Russ, began his first semester at college. We moved him in with more stuff than I think I had in my first home.
Chris, one of his roommates, had already been there for a day by himself. He couldn't wait for company. He opened the door to the suite before we could use a key.
Introductions, handshakes and hugs. I began the task of making up Russ' Twin XL bunkbed, (two uppers in the bedroom with desks underneath) while he and his dad went off to register his car (lucky Freshman!) in the student parking lot. I was pleased to discover that I still had the knack of wrestling sheets above my head to make up a bunkbed bolted to the wall.
I started to chat with Chris. "Have you ever lived away from home before, honey", I asked. He considered the question solemnly. "No, unless you count three days I spent at my Grandma's." No, honey. Ben, Russ' roommate was busily unpacking with the help of his mom, Bridget. "I'm NEVER gonna have to do laundry," Ben said proudly. "I took ALL of my clothes. I must have around a hundred changes of clothes here."
Okay. Chris piped up, "Hey, does Russ know how to do laundry? I can't get the 'hot and cold' and 'colors' thing right." Ben's mom and I held an impromptu session on sorting and water temperatures. I reassured him that Russ knew how to do laundry. It was hard to understand how an Honors Engineering Student had trouble grasping Laundry 101. Chris added, "My mom gave me an iron. Does anyone know how to iron?" No one answered. By this time Russ and his Dad had returned. They all decided they wouldn't iron. I must admit to relief.
We went into the suite's living room, equipped with a 3/4 size refrigerator, some tables and chairs. I opened the refrigerator. Three six packs of cola, three six packs of ice tea, one six pack of water, a half-eaten box of chocolate iced doughnuts and three apples. All of the food groups. We had loaded Russ down with snackables and ice tea, as well.
There was a small sink and a few cabinets for dishes, pots and pans, etc. I did a quick check. All of the kids had come loaded with pots, pans, dishes, etc. from home. Four boys had service for thirty-six. And one hundred and fifty dish towels. (Really!) Bridget said, "And don't you think it would be nice, Marci, if each time they did a load of laundry, someone washed the dish towel? Four boys from suburban areas, none of whom had ever lived away from home before, and we were discussing washing dish towels. Mothers are normal.
Six hours, a trip to the bookstore, K-Mart and lunch, and it was time to leave. I hugged Russ extra-hard. "Mom," he said in that deep voice, looking down at me (as he has since he was twelve). "You're gonna see me in a few days".
"I know." I swallowed hard. It was really here. This day I had prepared for and imagined all of his life, from the time he was in a crib. Growing up, finding his place in the world. Going away. From me. From his family. I guess this is what is meant by raising a child. You are always lifting them up, dusting them off, cuddling, reassuring them, when they make mistakes. When they are frightened. And all of us who are parents, someday, must prepare our children and ourselves for a day like this, or similar to this one. When they are no longer under our roof. Under our care. When they make those first steps on their own.
I did not cry when we left. I had promised Russ that I wouldn't. I am crying now.
I spoke to many of my friends about my feelings that day. If anyone would like to add their experiences to mine, I'd be very pleased to post them here. Thank you for listening to me.
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college dorm needs, dorm room, what do I need for college
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