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5 Easily Forgotten College Dorm Essentials
College dorm packing lists abound on the internet and yet there are five items rarely seen on such lists that make move-in day and dorm living easier for today’s students. After moving my three boys to their dorms, I know how important these items are!
[2022 Edition]
1. Scissors – Instead of packing a sharp knife or box cutter, a good pair of scissors can be used for opening boxes, removing tags, and a ton of other uses that arise on move-in day and beyond.
2. Envelopes and stamps – Students think packing these is a hint from mom to write home, but having a few envelopes and stamps will come in handy for the times when something needs to be mailed immediately.
[I know you have a fan on your college dorm packing list, but do you have a WOOZOO fan???]
3. Handwritten letter from parents – This can be tucked under the student’s pillow discreetly on college dorm move-in day. New college students may act tough as mom gets emotional when saying goodbye, but inside they are sad and finding the letter later in the day can warm even the toughest teenage heart.
4. Plastic shelving unit – Floor space is at a premium in most college dorm rooms, so inexpensive shelving like this is a great space saver that can be used for clothing, books, snacks, and of course, framed pictures from home. This type of shelving also can be assembled and taken down easily and will not take up much room in vehicles that are packed to the brim for move-in and move-out days.
5. Under the bed bins – Another space-saving idea, bins that slide under the bed can be an easy and convenient place to store extra school supplies, special treats, textbooks, and clothes for different seasons in every college dorm.
These are great and hardly take up any space when not being used!
Have you moved a student into a college dorm room?
What are your essential items? Share them in the comments section below and let’s do this together!
Be sure to read: 7 College Dorm Packing Lists from the Pros
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We created the dorm shelf by K-zer after helping our daughter move into Boston university. A desk and dresser, no holes allowed in the walls. So we created a shelf that hangs with no tools and leaves no wall damage. Holds ten pounds. Give it a try here.
Sounds wonderful! Thanks the tip, Deborah! 🙂
Where do we find that shelf?
Sharon, I found it here for you.
Thank you! 🙂
You’re welcome!
Oh yes – I was all over the plastic shelving units at college!
The ones that come apart and travel easily are awesome! We used this one for our son.
Yes, they are! They were pretty sturdy too – I got away with having a lot of stuff on them!
That’s great to know. Thanks for sharing!
Scissors. Yes, I’m always hunting for them and sure that most people forget to include them on a list too. Pinning for other parents!
Thank you, Rosemond!
I love the idea of a nice letter from mum and dad!! How sweet as that when you are overcome with the homesick blues. I had a friend whose mom regularly mailed parcels of her favorite foods, snacks, items from home. The parcel itself was s exciting as was inside. It was always colorful, covered in loud upbeat stickers. 🙂 Was a highlight not only for her, but me as well.
My kids tease me about my love for stickers, LOL! I put them all over the boxes when I send care packages. 🙂
Don’t forget a small basket or plastic bin to hold toiletries. So much easier getting to and from a shared bathroom.
Great tip, Jennifer! There are a bunch of great deals right here now because students and parents are already dorm shopping.
Want to hear something crazy??? I still have some of the dorm paraphernalia that my dad bought for me over 30 years ago!!! Some of the under the bed boxes have JUST fallen apart—so I think we got our money’s worth..ha ha!
Jodie
Wow!!! What do you remember as being your “must have” item for your dorm room? I’m really curious!
What I remember is the bucket to carry our toiletries down to the bathroom. I’m sure they have nicer ways now…but definitely a must have!
A shower caddy like this one is a definite MUST have for the college dorm. Thanks, Jodie!
Ah scissors. They are vital. I’d say this list is good for any kids room as well as a dorm room. Thanks
You’re welcome, Anna. Everyone needs a good pair of scissors! 🙂
This is such a great checklist! I tweeted it so lots of parents can find it.
Oh wow, thanks so much for sharing, Carol! 🙂
Great list, but you forgot the most important item:
A roommate you can tolerate for nice months! 🙂
That’s a tough one, Austin! 😉
Great tips! I can see myself doing the notes under the pillow! LOL
I love that one! I like to put notes in my college son’s jacket for him to find after I’ve left his dorm. 🙂
In my college dorm, the beds were actually all made with inbuilt storage underneath – they lifted up so that there was a big chest under them, which was useful. We also had those bathroom pod things in our rooms – the little pods where the entire thing is tiled and made as a shower floor, but there is also a toilet and a sink in there. They were a good use of space. But you had to remember to run the extractor fan, or you would get wet feet from earlier showers going in to use the toilet!
That is so interesting! I love the idea of built in storage under the beds. 🙂
So much to remember when going to college this list is simple but so handy. It is usually the simple things we forget. Ive pinned and tweeted.
Thanks so much, Sue! 🙂
These are all great ideas. I especially like the letter from the parents – it’s a lovely thing to do.
Thanks, Debbie! The letters are emotional to write for us moms, but worth it. 🙂
YES YES YES on all of this!!! My scissors went missing within a month of the start of college b/c I seemed to be the only one who brought them! And by my junior year, I’d learned to loft my bed to maximize underneath-space so I could store the big plastic tubs underneath! We still have several years to go on this in our family, but your tips are spot-on as always! 🙂
Scissors are priceless! 😉