Tag Archives: packing for college

dorm life, parenting

Packing for College?

 

college-bound studentThere are plenty of things your student will want to take to college, including a massive wardrobe, appliances, furniture, bedding, bath supplies, decorations, and so on. Of course, if you have any knowledge of the standard dorm room, you know that all their stuff is not going to fit in the shoebox-sized space they’re allotted, especially since they’ll have to share it with a roommate. For this reason you’re probably going to have to pare down what they pack, and you should do it long before you start loading up the car. Consider compiling a list of everything your college-bound student wants to take when packing for college and then go through and cross off the things they really don’t need. But don’t forget to include items that they really can’t live without. Here are a few you’ll certainly want to add to the list.

  1. Comfortable bedding. College students are notorious for burning the candle at both ends, so when they actually have time to catch a few zees, comfy bedding is a must. Now, you might not think it’s necessary to purchase quality sheets, not to mention pillows, blankets, a warm comforter, and perhaps even a cushy topper for the mattress. But the more rested your student is, the more sleep he’s likely to get, improving focus, grades, and more. When you weigh the cost of comfortable bedding against the cost of a semester of school down the drain thanks to insomnia, you should be able to see your way clear to shelling out a little dough for the linens.
  2. Portable devices. A computer is great, but these days a portable device can provide a lot more use value for the average student. For example, a laptop or tablet (with a keyboard) can not only act as a dorm-room PC, but it can also carry an entire library of books (and other media). And thanks to numerous apps designed for college students, it can also be a notebook, a recording device, a way to deliver class presentations, a schedule, and more. In short, it can provide for all kinds of academic needs in a lightweight and portable frame.
  3. College cookbook. The freshman fifteen is more than just a clever quip. Students living in dorms have limited options for food preparation. Often, they are granted a meal plan, which can definitely help them to eat regularly and observe a balanced diet should they so choose. But many dorms restrict students to items like a mini-fridge and microwave, making it extremely difficult to eat healthy. So think about packing a dorm-style cookbook (there are several options to choose from) so that your student can stay on track with healthy eating.
  4. Noise canceling headphones. Living with a roomie is not going to be easy, even for kids that have had to share a room with a sibling. But the worst part may be listening to other students snore all night, talk in their sleep, or blast music or the TV as they fall asleep. Noise cancelling headphones can not only help your student to fall asleep, but they can also work for study sessions when a roomie or students on the other side of a paper-thin wall are making noise.
  5. Storage. Dorm rooms are infamously small and cramped. Dorm rooms like you see in the movies simply don’t exist, whether your student is at Texas A&M or the University of Florida. Ample storage solutions are a must. Vacuum-sealed space bags are an option, as are stacking and under-bed bins. A shower caddy, drawer organizers, and perhaps even a small file cabinet could also work wonders when it comes to maximizing usable space and keeping the dorm room free of clutter.

Summer is a busy time for families of college-bound teens. These five tips might help you with your to-do list and help relieve some of the anxious, stressful days ahead.

 

college planning, dorm life

Organizing and packing for college

 

packing for collegeOne of the most exciting times in any young person’s life is right before they head off for their freshman year in college. For many, it is their first time living on their own on a college campus and that means figuring out how to live independently of their parents’ daily assistance.

So, as you’re helping to get your kids get organized and packed up for college, we wanted to provide you with five handy tips that can help you to help them make the process as easy as possible. Check these tips that will help while packing for college:

  1. Prioritize. There aren’t many dorm rooms that have a ton of space and even fewer that won’t require your child to have a roommate (especially their first year there). So, one of the first things that they must do is decide what absolutely must go with them and what can stay at home. When it comes to things like clothes, remind them that they can always come home during a break or holiday vacation to swap out items based on the seasons of the year.
  2. Purchase what can’t easily be bought there. Piling up on things like toiletries and food doesn’t make a whole lot of sense; those items can be easily purchased at a local grocery store or oftentimes, even on campus. Instead, focus on buying things like bedding, a mini-refrigerator, a laptop and any other items that they will absolutely need and would prefer not to share.
  3. Speak with the roommate. Encourage them to discuss ahead of time with their roommate who is going to bring things like a television, a mini-frig, an iron and ironing board, a microwave and cleaning supplies for the room. In many cases, it just takes up more space than is necessary to have duplicated items in one small space. If for whatever reason, the roommate is not willing to share, then make a quick Target or Wal-Mart run with them in between helping your child to unpack their things.
  4. Don’t buy in bulk. While providing for an entire household, buying in bulk is oftentimes a good idea. But, when purchasing things like laundry and cleaning supplies for one student in one dorm room, it can prove to be a waste of money and space. So, get big boxes or bottles of things rather than purchasing in bulk. If they use the items wisely, it can last them for months at a time.
  5. Pack smart. When it comes to packing up things like clothes, dishware (or plastic ware) and miscellaneous items (such as a First-Aid kit, mattress pad, hangers and laundry supplies), although you could pack everything up in some eco-friendly storage boxes and then put some adhesive labels on them, don’t forget that you can also be a bit more creative. A couple of ottomans are ideal for putting things into, plus your child can later use them as extra storage space/seat for their dorm room. You can also go to the Container Store to get storage cubicles. You can unpack all of the items that you put in them to transport to school and then place them under their bed until they need them again at the end of the semester.
college planning

Packing for College

2 Comments

Here’s a great help for parents from Sarah Schupp of University Parent–print these lists and keep them handy for that day that your college-bound teen heads off to college.

As students prepare to begin or return to college, making sure they have everything they need to be successful can be challenging.

But now as you wipe the sweat from your brow and pat yourself on the back — your child is going to college! Then it dawns on you. What should they bring with them? Where should you shop? What do they need? What don’t they need?

Relax. While packing your student for college may feel like an overwhelming task, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, you might even have some fun with it.

We’ve compiled the ultimate packing lists for residence hall life, classroom and studying needs and personal items they should bring along  — so that you can get your student off to school and ready to learn! Each list offers tips and tricks to ease the headache of the big move.

Plan and prepare
before you run out to your local stores and buy everything they’ll need, first wait for more information from their college — or visit the college’s web site for further information about what they’ll need for school.

Common sense tells you to begin by making a list of everything they will need. Combine your own list with that of the college, as well as the list of things others may have advised you that they’ll need.

Then, survey your house for these items. Save money by making sure you don’t already own something similar.

Lastly, if they’ve gotten their roommate information, they should discuss what each has to bring –- no need for multiple mini-fridges or TVs when space is already limited.

If they’ve lucked out with a huge dorm room, you both have much more liberty in deciding what goes with them. One piece of advice: Don’t overpack! They’ll end up being stuck with stuff they won’t use, and it will take up precious space that can help keep them organized.

Ready…Start….Pack!

Regardless of their room size, here are some must-haves, in no particular order:

  • Computer/Laptop. If it’s at all possible to buy one or borrow one, do it. Most colleges have pretty good computer facilities that students can use for free, but they’re often crowded and noisy, and not in their own room. If you have a choice, opt for a laptop. They can bring it to class, the library or outside, and can have more options of where to work.
  • Extra socks and underwear. Doing laundry is expensive and a pain. Students can always rewear jeans and sweaters more than once, but clean underwear and socks are a must!
  • Flip-flops. Using communal showers equals foot fungus, an unattractive yet common problem in dorms.
  • Climate-appropriate clothes. If possible, try to pack only what they’ll need for the season and climate they’ll be living in. There is usually not a lot of room for extra clothes, especially bulky sweaters or excessive shoes. They can always trade clothes at home during winter or spring break.
  • Storage bins. Stacking things is the way to go in their dorm room. A variety of storage bins are available at most stores.
  • Group games. Board games, cards and video games are a great way to make new friends and are perfect for breaks and downtime at school.
  • Home reminders. Bring things that remind them of home, such as a few pictures or posters. These things will make homesickness –during those first few days or weeks — that much easier to bear. With photos and personal touches, their dorm room will feel more like a home and less like just a dorm room.
  • Dictionary and thesaurus. Although most computer programs have a thesaurus built in, the paper versions still have many more options.
  • Lamps. Get a cheap halogen or desk lamp — most grads still can’t part with theirs. But before you go out and buy one, make sure their college doesn’t consider certain types a fire hazard.
  • Clothes hamper. They will need something roomy and something they can easily carry when it is time to do laundry.
  • First-aid kit. Just in case.

*****

Sarah Schupp is the founder and CEO of University Parent Media in Boulder, Colo. UPM publishes print and online guides for parents of students at universities and colleges in 38 states. Online at www.universityparent.com

college planning

5 Dorm Move-In Mistakes


 

dorm life issuesIf your college-bound teen is headed off to college in the fall, they might be tempted to pack up their ENTIRE room and transport it to the college dorm. But before you start packing, here are some tips by Maria Moy for “The Real College Guide” that will save you some heartache on move-in day.

(P.S. Speaking from experience, DO NOT pack your teen’s entire room. It won’t fit; and it won’t help with the homesickness either.)

Losing sleep over the dimensions of your dorm room? Rest assured, you can survive — and thrive — in close living quarters. We tell you how.

Unless you were raised in a jail cell, your dorm room is going to seem way too small for storing all your stuff — and yourself — without frequent fits of claustrophobia. Upon moving in, you’ll inevitably find that your closet is too small and that you have to make hard decisions about what will actually fit in your room this semester (big-screen TV or roommate? Hmmm …).

Here are the top five mistakes to avoid when stuffing your stuff into a small space:

1. Leaving furniture as is By far, the biggest mistake you can make on move-in day is to leave the furniture where it is. You are totally allowed — with your roommate’s blessings, of course — to move it! And don’t be shy about trying out a few different arrangements. Often, there is a better way to position your furniture to at least give the illusion of more space and even privacy. Typically, pushing your bed and desk against the walls leaves an open area in the center of the room. Pushing bureaus back to back can create private nooks for dressing or sleeping (so you never have to wake up to eye contact with your creepy roommate).

2. Not using vertical space The sky (OK, ceiling) is the limit when you are organizing your room. Even if your desk doesn’t come with shelves, you can pick up cost-effective shelving units at places like Kmart and Target. Be sure your shelves are durable enough to support the considerable weight of your textbooks or whatever else you plan to keep on them — clothes, shoes or even people if the shelves are waist-high. If you have room, a full-out bookcase is great for storing groceries, cooking supplies and other dorm miscellanea. Or opt for wall shelves, which free up floor space but might not be as sturdy. Hint: Buildable cube shelving gives you sturdy flexibility and can be recycled for whatever space you find yourself living in next year. And you can shove a single cube at the bottom of your closet or on your desk for additional organization.

3. Overlooking under-the-bed space Don’t underestimate the amount of stuff you can store simply by cramming it under your bed. Baskets, plastic drawers and crates may help with organizing, but your best investment by far is a set of bed risers (aka sturdy stilts for your bed posts). These raise the bed so you can cram even more crap under there. Gotta love ’em.

4. Keeping a messy closet Accept that you will not have sufficient closet space, especially if you go to school in a climate where bulky layers are necessary. With this in mind, mess management is a must. First off, get a shoe rack. There is nothing more frustrating than being late for class because you spent five precious minutes hopping around your room in an epic search of your missing shoe. Your best bet for a shoe rack is one that hangs over the closet door. Stuff it with shoes and other random stuff like hats, gloves and toiletries. With shoes and accessories off the floor, you may be able to fit an extra bar for hanging or a small shelving unit for folded stuff. (By the way, don’t forget to bring — or pack your clothes on — clothes hangers. Your room won’t come with them.)

5. Bringing big stuff Be flexible about bringing larger items like couches, bikes and kayaks. These are nice amenities but may find a better home in your parents’ garage. If you’re able — and your roommate is willing — to bunk beds, some larger furniture may fit. Some schools let you loft your bed above your desk — an ingenius way to conserve space. If you’re looking into a loft, however, find out how high and sturdy it is before buying so you know it will fit and won’t fall. As for your bike, keep it locked outside on a bike rack. We’ve seen kayaks stored that way as well. Really.

Here’s a nifty little tool that might help: Design Your Dorm