There are many different ways to approach life in a college dormitory and each and every school has its own specific set of rules and regulations which must be considered. Typically the school will offer a checklist detailing dorm room requirements and essentials, along with outlining what the school will provide (things like beds, mattresses and desks), what is restricted or prohibited and what sorts of items are suggested or required. With this in hand the next best step is to take a look at the websites of the major bed and bath stores – most offer digital college and camp checklist which are quite handy.
With a digital checklist parents, students and future roommates can coordinate décor ideas and work together to avoid duplication of purchases; parents can keep tabs on the budget and weigh in on what’s going on without being overly controlling. Social media is another great way to communicate; the versatile digital checklists are great for that too. Not every parent drives their child to school nor does everyone have access to a car that is large enough to move a dorm room worth of stuff; one easy solution is to order goods online and have them shipped directly to the dormitory.
Look for furniture which can be easily assembled on site (be sure to bring the proper tools) and versatile items which can do double duty. Bed risers are indispensible – they elevate the bed to create extra storage space underneath. Large and bulky or fragile items can be a hassle to move – one solution is to ship supplies or nursery bedding in advance, or to have the retailer ship to the dormitory with a pre-set delivery date.
