There 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.