Recently I saw a post in a Parents of Incoming College Freshman group that blew my mind.
It showed a Dorm room filled to the brim with stuff that students living in the dorms didn’t use once.
The college set up a donation room where students could drop off new or like-new stuff that would go to a local shelter.
I saw robotic vacuums and throw pillows with tags on them. Swiffer mops and random kitchen appliances. Curtain rods and unused cleaning products. Storage bins and vacuum sealers. It was bananas.
The take away? College students don’t need so much crap in those small living spaces.
Now, as the parents to both boys and girls, we do not want to be gender discriminatory. All we can say is that some of our daughters often like to decorate a little more than our sons–but even still, there’s just not that much room in most underclassmen dorms, so it’s best to get the essentials to start and then decide what would be nice to have.
Dorm shopping is a lot like a baby shower registry.
I remember having my twins and all the things I thought I needed. Diaper genies, special bottle cleaners, and wipe warmers.
I used zero of it. Keeping it simple when moving your kid into their dorm is the way to go, and then you can always buy additional stuff as needed.
So, we went straight to the source and asked several teen girls (and their parents) what they felt were the absolute ESSENTIALS and some of their product recommendations, and then we added some nice to have items as well.
It’s a short and sweet list with options, just the way we like it!
However, we also have a few other “essentials” you might want to think about as your getting college ready:
quick tip 1: You might want to consider getting your college student an Amazon Prime College Account. This entitles the member to many discounts specific to college students that aren’t available through a regular prime account. You can sign up here Amazon Prime College Account to help save on the essentials listed below and then your student can use it during all four years of college to help quickly order and save money on all sorts of other items they are likely to need.
quick Tip 2: Most parents don’t think about the fact that at 18, their college kid now is entitled to all the legal privacy protections that come with being an adult. This means that if they have a medical or financial emergency, you aren’t automatically entitled to information about them or to be involved in decisions about their care. Don’t be left on the sidelines when your adult child needs you the most. Be sure you put the necessary legal documents in place to avoid this. You can take care of it yourself online quickly, easily and affordably with the Mama Bear Young Adult Power of Attorney Package. Use the Code PTTCollege20 to get 20% off.
Dorm Room Bedding Must-Haves
Sleepyhead Gel Mattress Topper Twin XL – 2Bedsure Twin XL Mattress Pad Deep Pocket Pillow Top Mattress Topper Bedding Quilted Fitted Mattress Cover Extra Long Mattress Protector Stretches up to 18 Inches Deep (39×80 Inches, White)Amazon Basics Lightweight Super Soft Easy Care Microfiber Bed Sheet Set with 14Microplush Fleece Blanket – Twin/Twin Extra Long Blanket – Grey – Lightweight Soft Blanket for Bed, Sofa, Couch, Camping, and Travel – Ultra Soft Warm Blanket (Twin/Twin XL, Grey)KAWAHOME Sherpa Fleece Blanket Twin Size Super Soft Extra Warmest and Heavy Thick Winter 500GSM Bed Blankets for Couch Sofa Bed, 66OCM College Dorm Room Essentials 16-Piece Starter Pak | Twin XL Bedding, Mattress Pad, Comforter, Sheets, Towels and Blanket | Keaton | Graphic Blue Plaid & Solids
Quick Tip: Most college dorm room beds are not a standard size, but instead a twin XL. That is the assumption made for all the suggested items below. But be sure to check the residence life page of your college student’s particular school to confirm.
Without a doubt, a good mattress topper is the number one thing parents of college students recommend. The Sleep Foundation rates the Sleepyhead Gel Mattress Topper Twin XL as the best college dorm mattress topper for cooling and comfort, but it’s not cheap. There are other alternatives listed below.
Next, a waterproof mattress cover. College students will spend a lot of time eating and drinking on their dorm beds, so a good waterproof cover is essential. Additionally, some of the college mattresses are old, so you may want to protect your child from any allergens or dustmites that can be stuck inside. The cover will protect the more expensive mattress topper which can be reused. The Bedsure Twin XL Mattress cover is priced right and is the suggested match to the Sleepyhead Gel Mattress topper.
Multiple Sets of Inexpensive Sheets – OK, real talk. Most of the parents we talked to said their daughters (maybe) only washed their sheets once unless they lived close to home which their loving mothers often encouraged them to bring them to the Mom laundromat. So, having a back up set of sheets means they “might” change their sheets in the four months of Fall semester. One of the highest rated XL twin sheet sets is from Amazon Basics they are perfect for Dorm Rooms and you can’t beat the price. If you do have a college kid that is more apt to use a washing machine and might want a slightly more high end set, you might try these sheets from Mellani are also highly rated and recommended.
A Good Blanket – Depending on what climate your kid is heading to for college, it may impact the weight of blanked you want to purchase. However, keep in mind that some dorm rooms (especially on higher floors) tend to be like ovens year round no matter what the temp is outside and then even in really warm climates, some dorms are kept at frigid temps to discourage mold growth. So, an idea might be to get a few lighter weight ones that can be layered. This Twin XL Microfleece Plush lightweight blanket that comes in many colors is a definite winner and checks all the boxes. If you really think you’ll want something heavier, then these Supersoft Sherpa blankets are so cozy. And if you want to really go fancy, we LOVE these extra soft faux fur blankets for a fun look.
A good set of pillows is also a must. These Bedsure pillows are very highly rated and affordable, but there are many options depending on what kind of sleeper your child is.
Bedding is very personal for most girls we know and there are so many options! You can go with an all-in-one bed-in-a-bag or mix and match depending on her tastes or if she wants to coordinate with her roommate. There are also all in one matching sets like the one below that includes towels, sheets, and comforters.
Nice to haves that some parents recommended or if your child wants to class up their dorm room a bit include a headboard and some cute throw pillows (although several college students said those mostly ended up in the corner or on the floor.)
Dorm Room Appliances
COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator, 3.2 cu ft. Unit 2-Door Mini Freezer Cooler Fridge with Reversible Door, Removable Glass Shelves, Mechanical Control, Recessed Handle for Dorm, Office, Apartment (Grey)Danby Designer 1.7 cu. ft. Compact Refrigerator (DAR017A2BDD), BlackEmeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 Better Than Convection Ovens Hot Air Fryer Oven, Toaster Oven, Bake, Broil, Slow Cook and More Food Dehydrator, Rotisserie Spit, Pizza Function Cookbook Included (Stainless Steel)Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor, Easy Clean Interior, ECO Mode and Sound On/Off, 1.2 Cu Ft, Stainless SteelWoozoo Globe Multi-Directional 5-Speed Timer Oscillating Fan w/RemoteIRIS USA WOOZOO Oscillating Fan, Vortex Fan, Remote Equipped 4-in-1 Fan w/ Timer/ Multi Oscillation/ Air Circulator/ 5 Speed Settings, 82ft Max Air Distance, Medium, Matte BlackHoneywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan Black, SmallLEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies Pets Hair in Bedroom, H13 True HEPA Filter, 24db Filtration System Cleaner Odor Eliminators, Ozone Free, Remove 99.97% Dust Smoke Mold Pollen, Core 300, WhiteDyson Pure Cool Link TP02 Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier, White/SilverLasko 42
This is where you can go down the slippery slope. You can rent some of these things but this is what most people said they liked to have in their dorm room.
Quick tip: Make sure to coordinate this with your roommate so you don’t show up with two of everything in move-in day.
Small Refrigerator – College kids are hungry all the time, and often those three hours when everything is closed. Throw in the need for fuel for those late-night study sessions, and a good fridge is a necessity. Be sure you understand the square footage of the dorm room and space available before purchasing a mini-fridge. This highly-rated Compact Dorm Fridge is a pretty safe bet for most dorms; however, if you’re extra tight on space, you might also want to consider this Ultra Compact Dorm Room Fridge.
Microwave – A microwave is a great option for those times your student may not want to leave their room because of bad weather, they are ill, or just don’t have the time. This small countertop Toshiba Microwave is a best seller and perfectly sized for a dorm room.
A Fan – Dorms are known for bad air circulation and many colleges in cooler climates don’t have A/C. Additionally, it appears universal that dorm rooms on higher floors tend to be warm year round. This is why a fan has become a must have for most college dorm room. By far the hands down most suggested is the Woozoo 5 Speed Globe Fan. However, they are so popular, they are regularly out of stock and hard to find. So, a few back up options include this slightly more expensive Woozoo model or this much more economical Honeywell Turbo fan. If a tower fan is preferred as it can be a little better space wise and to cool the whole room consider the Lasko Oscillating Tower Fan.
Depending on where your child is going to school, an air purifier can be a must-have. Due to the circulation issues mentioned above and the general construction of many dorms, mold can be a pretty significant issue. The schools won’t divulge this information but join any parent group for any college and you’ll hear about it. (P.S. it’s not just the dorms, but many college apartment buildings too). Then there is also the fact that you’re putting a whole bunch of young people in small spaces who aren’t sleeping or eating all that well and therefore are perpetually sick, which means germs spread like wildfire in dorms. Staying healthy is a challenge, but an air filter can certainly help. This Levoit Hepa Air Purifie is fairly compact and effective making it a top choice for dorm rooms, but these pricier Dyson purifiers seemed to be the ones students and parents felt worked best.
Handheld Vacuum- I know you want to believe that your kid will clean their room regularly, but we all know that probably won’t happen, but, we can help them in the instance there are some serious spills. It can also get pretty icky constantly stepping on food crumbs and dirt and debris that gets brought in on over the course of the year. An easy to use and effective handheld vacuum did seem to be something that got some use and could be worth sending. Plus, it doesn’t take up much room and can be thrown in the closet.
A few things the students we spoke with said were nice to have include:
Single Serving Coffee Maker – This was a big yes for a lot of the girls we talked to who wanted a little coffee jolt before an early class. This Mr. Coffee Iced and Hot Coffee Maker was highly recommended as well as this small Keurig.
Air Fryer – It just so happens that I work with college kids and so I asked some of them the other day about the one thing they could not live without in their dorm rooms. And to my surprise, boys and girls alike were 100% hands down most enthusiastic about air fryers. Apparently the air fryer is to Gen Z what the mircrowave to Millenials. This Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer was the one they all suggested.
Filtered Water Pitcher – Several college students told us that sometimes their dorm rooms were so dry and they didn’t want to keep leaving their rooms to fill up their water bottles, so a good filtered water pitcher, like this Brita Slim 5 Cup was good to have handy and a few people mentioned they stored this ZeroWater 20 Cup Ready-Pour on top of their refrigerator.
General Dorm Room Essentials
AFROG Multifunctional LED Desk Lamp with Wireless Charger, USB Charging Port, 5 Lighting Modes,7 Brightness Levels, Sensitive Control, 30/60 min Auto Timer, Eye-Caring Office Lamp，5000K, 8WAddtam Power Strip Surge Protector 6 Outlets and 3 USB Ports 5Ft Long Extension Cord, Flat Plug Overload Surge Protection Outlet Strip, Wall Mount for Home, Office and DormDirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, Corded, Small, Dry Hand Held Vac With Cord, SD20005RED, RedmDesign Small Modern 1.3 Gallon Rectangle Metal Lidded Step Trash Can, Compact Garbage Bin with Removable Liner Bucket and Handle for Bathroom, Kitchen, Craft Room, Office, Garage – BlackFirst Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Kit, Soft Case, 299 Pieces, Color Varies (Pack of 6)The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to HomesicknessHeavy Duty Organizer Storage Bag – XL Moving Bags Totes with zippers for Clothing, College Moving Bags Compatible with Ikea Frakta Bag, 4 PacksClorox Compostable Cleaning Wipes – All Purpose Wipes – Simply Lemon, 75 Count (Pack of 3)
These are the things that the general consensus of parents and students agreed were important.
Desk Lamp – The lighting in most dorm rooms is pretty harsh and sometimes you’ve got one roomie pulling an all nighter while the others are trying to actually sleep. A good desk lamp like this multifunctional LED desk lamp with wireless charger and five lighting modes is a solid solution with the added bonus of working as another USB charging option. Power Strip with USB ports – Computer, iphones, appliances, lamps…..you’re getting the idea. These college kids are plugging a ton of stuff in and most dorm rooms don’t come equipped with nearly enough plugs. Inclusion of the USB ports is a must and you can’t go wrong with this perfect five star rated power strip that is ideal for a college dorm room.
Small Trash Can With Lid – We were surprised to find out that most dorm rooms don’t provide trash cans or the ones they do are tiny and don’t have lids. Since small spaces are prone to stink up fast, a solid trash can with a lid isn’t a bad idea.
A well-stocked First Aid Kit – You just never know what may happen, so make sure they have the basics to take care of any cuts or small injuries. We also highly suggest sending them with basic medicines such as Benadryl, Advil/Tylenol, Pepto, etc. so they have some basic remedies when they fall ill. While it might be nice to hear from them, its even better empowering them to figure a few basics of health care themselves, so tuck this handy guide in with their school supplies.
A few nice to have items include:
Space saving hangers. One pro tip has been encouraging young girls not to take all their clothes with them, but if they insist on most of their wardrobe, these hangers can help.
Extra Long phone chargers because your outlet may not be close to your bed.
Bathroom and Laundry Essentials
Portable Shower Caddy Dorm, Large Capacity, Quick Dry Toiletry Bag with Metal Hook, Hanging Shower Bag, College Dorm Room Essentials for Girls Boys, Mesh Toiletry Shower Tote for Gym and College Dorm (Grey)Utopia Towels – 600 GSM 8-Piece Premium Towel Set, 2 Bath Towels, 2 Hand Towels and 4 Washcloths -100% Ring Spun Cotton – Machine Washable, Super Soft and Highly Absorbent (Grey)FUNKYMONKEY Mens Bathroom Shower Slippers Indoor Home Beach Non Slip Sandal (12 M US, Black)Dalykate Backpack Laundry Bag, Laundry Backpack with Shoulder Straps and Mesh Pocket Durable Nylon Backpack Clothes Hamper Bag with Drawstring Closure for College, Travel, Laundromat, Apartment
