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Freshman Survival Guide:
15 Essentials for Dorm or Apartment Life
BY LINDSEY JOHNSON, MS, MCHES
Preparing for your child to head off to college can not only be heartbreaking but, as many parents before you know, it can also break the bank! The list of must haves seems to grow daily as you prepare them for the rite of passage of living on their own, bunking in a dorm with a roommate and understanding the necessity of buying macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and jelly in bulk!
We have compiled a handy checklist to help you keep your spending on track as you prepare your college bound kiddo for their new adventure. Good luck parents!
Dorm Life:
Whether in a single room or sharing space with roommates, dorm rooms are limited in size. Be creative with storage solutions and minimize the number of personal belongings that need to be stored in their room.
1 Mini Fridge - Store essentials like milk, yogurt and leftovers.
2 Storage Containers - Find creative ways to organize their belongings! 3 Bed Risers or Bed Lofters - If permitted, raising the bed will allow for additional space underneath for desks, storage or other furniture. 4 Bed Linens - Most dorm beds are either Twin or Twin XL size. Check with their college for specifics first. 5 Bath Towels, Hand Towels and Washcloths - Buy extras but remember space is limited. 6 Shower Shoes - If they will be using a shared bathroom, they will want shoes/sandals to walk down the hall and to wear in the public shower stall. 7 Shower Caddy - Buy an easy, waterproof container to carry toiletries to and from the hallway bathroom. 8 Headphones - This helps block out noise by roommates and focus on studying! 9 Sleep Mask - If light tends to bother them, a sleep mask can help block out light if their roommate keeps different hours.
10 Microwave - Some dorms have microwaves in common areas. Otherwise, you may want to get them one for their room to make popcorn and heat leftovers. 11 Laundry Basket/Bag - They will need something to transport dirty clothes to the laundry room. 12 Few Dishes and Silverware - Having a few staples on hand to prepare oatmeal, drink coffee, or enjoy a bowl of cereal can be helpful. Buy the basics and encourage them to wash frequently! 13 TV - If living with roommates, discuss beforehand who will bring a television. 14 Lamp - A lamp will help with focused studying! 15 Alarm Clock - A quick glance at the clock and a buzzing alarm will help them be on time for class!
Apartment Life:
Many families opt to save money by having students share an apartment with roommates. Whenever possible, have your student discuss with roommates before moving in to determine who will provide which items for shared use.
1 Full Set of Dishes and Silverware- If their apartment includes a dishwasher, go ahead and buy the full set. 2 Pots, Pans and Serving Utensils - A full-sized kitchen allows for the opportunity to save money and cook their own meals. A lesson in Finance and Home Economics!
3 Bed Linens - Depending on what size bed they bring, buy sheets and a comforter to fit the new space. 4 Bath Towels, Hand Towels and Washcloths - Purchase a few of each to minimize laundry frequency. 5 Bath Mats - A bath mat will help keep the bathroom safe and dry. 6 Shower Curtain, Liner, and Rings - Keep the water inside the tub! 7 Kitchen Towels - Purchase hand towels for washing and drying dishes and cleaning up messes. 8 Laundry Basket/Bag - If they don’t have a washer and dryer within the apartment, they will need a receptacle to transport dirty clothes to the laundry. 9 Storage Containers - Find creative ways to organize their belongings! 10 Furniture (Bed, Desk, Couch, Coffee Table) - Have your student discuss with roommates beforehand who will be responsible for which items. 11 TV - Depending on the living situation, they may want to have a common area television as well as one in the bedroom.
12 Vacuum, Broom, and Mop - Welcome to adulthood! They are now responsible for cleaning up their own messes! 13 Welcome Mat - Welcome friends and family to their new space while leaving dirt outside! 14 Lamp - A lamp will help with focused studying! 15 Alarm clock - A quick glance at the clock and a buzzing alarm will help them be on time for class!
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