College…here we come!!

Image of college students walking and moving onto campus on a beautiful day.

Let’s talk about what our children need for college. I have four wonderful children and one son-in-love that I call my blessings. I have had the college shopping experience before. This year I am sending my youngest off to a university and still had to go back and really think about purchases that we had made for our other blessings. What did my older blessings really need that I needed to run out and purchase, or have Amazon send their way? Will my blessing be near enough that I can get to him/her when we see on another over Labor Day weekend? What did we purchase and not need? Could I save it for the next blessing, or should I just return it? Who is bringing the refrigerator? Who is bringing the microwave? Is the roommate willing to share? How are you transporting everything? And then, how and where will those bins or totes be stored? Will your vehicles hold everything? Below you will find some ideas that I pray will bless you as you launch one of your own “blessings.”

What Does Your College Student Really Need?

A Practical College Shopping List for Move-In Day

Sending a student off to college is exciting—but preparing for move-in day can quickly become overwhelming.

Walk into almost any store this time of year and you'll find entire sections devoted to "college essentials." It's easy to leave with two shopping carts full of things your blessing may never actually use.

Before you start shopping, remember one important thing:

A dorm room is small.

The goal isn't to fill every available inch. It's to give your blessing what he/she needs to live comfortably, stay organized, and make his/her new space feel like home.

Before You Buy Anything

Start with the college's housing information.

Dorms vary considerably, so check what is already provided and what students are allowed to bring. Look specifically for information about furniture, mattress size, appliances, cooking equipment, hanging items on walls, extension cords, and prohibited items.

Then talk with the roommate.

There's usually no reason for two microwaves, two coffee makers, two rugs, or two sets of cleaning supplies when students can coordinate ahead of time. And oftentimes the university will not allow two refrigerators or microwaves.

And finally—measure before buying storage products.

A beautiful set of bins isn't very practical if it won't fit under the bed!

College Shopping Checklist

🛏️ Bedding & Sleep

• Twin XL sheet sets

• Mattress protector

• Mattress pad or topper

• Comforter or duvet

• Pillows and pillowcases

• Blanket

• Bedside caddy or small organizer - have you seen the ones that tuck into the bed like this one? https://a.co/d/09Lb2dWJ

👕 Clothing & Closet

• Everyday clothing

• Professional or interview outfit

• Seasonal outerwear as needed

• Shoes

• Hangers

• Laundry basket or hamper

• Laundry detergent

• Stain remover

• Small sewing kit

• Under-bed storage, after measuring

And here's one of my favorite organizing tips:

Don't send the entire closet to college.

Dorm closets are usually small. Start with clothing appropriate for the current season, then swap items during visits home or school breaks when practical.

🛁 Bathroom & Personal Care

For students using a shared bathroom:

• Shower caddy

• Shower shoes

• Towels and washcloths

• Toiletries

• Robe

• Hair care items

• Personal medications

• Basic first-aid supplies

📚 Desk & School Supplies

• Laptop and charger

• Backpack

• Pens and pencils

• Notebooks

• Planner or calendar

• Headphones

• Desk lamp, if permitted

• Charging cables

• Surge protector, if approved by the college

• A small supply of basic office supplies

Resist buying an entire office-supply aisle before classes begin. Professors may have specific requirements, and students can always purchase additional supplies later.

🍿 Food & Kitchen Basics

Depending on what's permitted:

• Reusable water bottle

• Travel mug

• A few microwave-safe dishes

• Mug

• Utensils

• Food-storage containers

• Dish soap and sponge

• Paper towels

• Favorite snacks

• Small coffee maker or kettle, if permitted

• I love Dash products. They are small and very convenient. But remember that dorm rooms are short on space. Here is a link to their hard boiled egg cooker. https://a.co/d/05iRugdT Here is a link to their turbo popcorn popper. (They have a non-turbo for a little less money, but it takes longer to heat up and pop the popcorn, so my family opted for the turbo version.) https://a.co/d/0enTte7U

🧹 Cleaning & Organization

• All-purpose cleaner

• Disinfecting wipes

• Small trash can

• Trash bags

• Paper towels

• Handheld vacuum or small broom

• Command-style hooks, if permitted

• A few baskets or bins for frequently used items

Notice I said a few.

It's tempting to buy storage for every possible situation before move-in day. Instead, live in the room for a little while and see what storage is actually needed.

🔌 Technology & Everyday Essentials

• Phone charger

• Laptop charger

• Extra charging cable

• Power bank

• Appropriate power strip or surge protector, if permitted

• Umbrella

• Small toolkit

• Flashlight

• Important contact and insurance information

📁 Don't Forget the Important Documents

This category isn't nearly as fun as choosing a comforter, but it's important.

Make sure your student knows how to access the information they'll need away from home, including appropriate identification, health insurance information, emergency contacts, prescription information, and other essential records.

Will your blessing be looking for a job while away at school? Does he/she need to show a birth certificate? If so, what is the plan to store it?

Please consider a lock box for any sensitive information.

Keep sensitive documents and account information secure rather than leaving them openly stored in a dorm room.

Will your child keep any cash on hand? (I know, it sounds so old-fashioned.)

The most important document is a letter from you telling your blessing how special he/she is. (Pro-tip: write it a few days in advance and sneak it into the already-packed items. Your blessing will find it after you have departed. Or sneak it into a drawer in the dorm room once you arrive. But be prepared for the tears as you write.)

What NOT to Buy Yet

Here's where parents can save both money and space.

Don't feel pressured to anticipate every possible need.

Wait on:

• Lots of decorative storage

• Duplicate appliances

• Large quantities of food

• An entire semester's worth of toiletries

• Extra furniture

• Bulky organizers

• Too many decorative items

• Bed risers - speak with the college or university prior to purchasing these, as some have restrictions.

Move in with the essentials first.

Then let your blessing discover how he/she actually uses the space.

Organization works best when it supports real habits—not the habits we imagine we'll have.

Make Room for This New Chapter

College move-in isn't really about sheets, storage bins, or shower caddies.

It's about preparing your blessing for a new season of independence. It’s an exciting and sad time all rolled into one! When my daughter went off to college we all came home and binge-watched a stupid television show because we were all so sad. When my son went off three years later, my cat was so upset she followed me around the house meowing…all I could do was tell her that I missed them too!

But back to organization…

A little organization beforehand can make move-in day easier, help a small dorm room function better, and give your blessing a comfortable place to begin this new chapter.

And parents, give yourselves some grace, too.

This is a transition for you as well.

At Pretty & Practical Home Organizing, that's what I love about organization: practical systems can make life's transitions a little easier.

Helping You Make Room for What Matters Most.