Sending kids off to their first semester is the dorms can be pretty scary for both parties. With a new stage of life beginning it is fairly normal for your student to look for anything that might make their dorm room experience seem more like home. A lot of parents can really go overboard when it comes to this longing though. There’s so many items that cater to the student body that its pretty easy to spend thousands of dollars on your child’s first year in the dorms. As the college years progress, things become simple and you learn what is necessity over what is spoiling your young adult rotten. There are a few items that should be found in just about every dorm room though. These ten items are not only a must for any student looking for a home away from home, but they’re so friendly on the budget you’ll actually be excited about going shopping for your child’s dorm needs.
1. Mini-Fridge
If there’s one thing students are going to miss more than anything, it’s having snacks and cold drinks readily available in the kitchen. Although it is simple enough to find a soda machine on campus, the price of these drinks might actually destroy your students budget, especially if the student drinks soda every single day. One way to combat this problem is the ever famous mini-fridge. This amazing device is designed for small spaces and will help your student keep the budget for cold drinks way down, thanks to being able to bulk shop and store the cans and bottles in the room. Mini-fridges aren’t as expensive as you may thing and you can find a used product then you’ll be doing even better. You might try asking around campus or looking online for students who have graduated and want to sell their mini-fridge. There are also mini-fridges that hold one to two cans of soda or bottles of water at a time. These take up even less space, plug into a computer’s USB port and tend not to cost more than $20-40. With a mini-fridge your student might also be able to make smarter choices with snacks too.
2. First Aid Kid
Although there is medical staff on hand, it might be wise to send your child to school with a first aid kid. It doesn’t have to be huge kit that takes up an entire desk drawer. You can even get creative and make the box yourself, which might make students feel a little less homesick. Make sure you pack the kit with all of the necessities though. For instance, basic medications to help clean wounds and different forms of tape, gauze and band-aids are a definite must for every student. If you student will be taking a rigorous physical education class or intends to play sports then some braces, ice packs and muscle rub should be included. You should also consider ailments that might happen while in the dorms. Usually most students get a cold at least once, but there is also stomach bugs, the flu and other potential ailments that could strike during the school season. Packing up cold relief products, travel tissue pouches and medication to reduce headaches and fevers are a must. You should also consider anti-acid pills and other medications for indigestion to help students make it through the stressful moments.
3. Message board
Students can be a little disorganized without some proper tools, which is why a message board might be just what you need to rest assured your student will be on top of things. Message boards are pretty simple to make. You can create one using wine corks, if you happen to have a lot lying around the house. You could also just by some cork board and frame it yourself. If there’s not a big wall for a messenger board then consider making a few small cork areas that can be placed in a design. All you need from there is a few thumbtacks or pushpins and you’re good to go. Message boards are also very cheap to purchase. This will also give you a great selection to choose from as there are cork boards, dry eraser boards and even the classic chalk board. Each of these items are easy to maintain and all for an easy way to keep track of homework, exams and social outings.
4. Masking Tape
You might be wondering why masking tape is such a necessity when it comes to dorm room living. Well, there’s actually a long list of answers, but I’ll provide you with just a few. One of the best things about masking is it comes in a series of different colors, which allows kids to get totally creative. Another bonus is it comes off the walls with easy, so there’s no damage fees to worry about when it comes to your child’s decorating needs. One great way to show off some making tape is to use it as a frame for pictures. This helps avoid putting nails in the wall and will make the room look neat without having to keep it too bland. Another great way to decorate with it my letting your student use it to spell out words for decorations or create cool shapes that will make the room look polished and unique. Masking tape is a great fix it tape to have too, so if something breaks then a little tape might just solve the problem without too much stress involved.
5. Secret Storage
Although it might be nice to trust roommates and their guests it isn’t always wise. When it comes to shared living your child should always have a secret box to stash some extra money, priced jewelry or even just a precious item. One of the best things to is use a cut out book. This will allow your child to put away items and then place it right back on the shelf without anyone knowing any different. This will also add a touch of privacy to your child’s life. This is especially important if your child keeps a diary or anything that might be private in nature. Other great options help keep storage items hidden away so the room looks spick and span at all times. This is a big one if your student has to undergo inspection too! One of the wisest things to do is take a back of the door shoe hold and place it under your child’s mattress. Let the holder hang down behind the bed skirt is put shoes in each slot. You could also utilize fold up boxes for under the bed. This will help clear out a lot storage so the room looks great.
6. Rugs
When it comes to homey musts for a dorm you may want to consider getting your student a rug. Dorm room floors can get pretty cold, which makes the entire experience seem even further away from home, especially when the weather gets chilly. A simple run can make the coldest of rooms seem warmer and a bit more like home. There’s a lot of rugs to choose from when it comes to finding the perfect look for your child’s dorm. You can buy a cheap rug at just about any department store and even some dollar stores. Remember, when shopping for a rug it is important to keep it on the smaller side. Most dorm rooms aren’t very big and if your child’s roommate also wants to use a rug then it might be an endless battle. A typical bedside rug should do just the trick. You styles are limitless though, so let your student’s personality shine. You may even consider making your own rug. There’s a lot of DIY tutorials that show you how to make an t-shirt rug. You could also buy furry fabric to create a rug worth of any girly girl.
7. Tool Kit
It might seem slightly unusual but a tool kit can be a must for some dorm dwellers. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and stock up on ratchets, hammers and other common toolbox supplies. However, a few nails and screws, a hammer, screwdriver and flashlight could make or break the form experience at times. Your student will make new friends because he or she is ready for anything that might break in the dorm. Plus, if your student does want to hang pictures, assemble a shelf or any other common college experience then everything will be ready to go. You may also want to consider throwing in items like a small sewing kit, glasses repair kit and anything else you may think of so your students tool kit will be ready for a wide variety of events!
8. Stackables
One of the best things you can send your student to college with is stackable items. This is especially true of sturdy stackable boxes. These items come in handy for books, entertainment devices, collectible and anything else you can thing of. Stackables are easily transformed into furniture that doesn’t take up a lot of room and will help your student keep totally organized. You can buy stackable blocks at so many furniture and department stores that it wont take long to find what you’re looking for. You should also utilize desk items that be stacked up. These can be very simple to find, but you can also make small containers that stack on one another from various items at home. These boxes are perfect for staples, paper clips and other college needs.
9. Adjustable lamp
Light is essential to college living, especially during those late night study sessions while the roommate stores away. The item for this is an adjustable lamp. There’s lots of common and cheap desk lights that have an adjustable head. This will allow your student to enjoy studying whenever possible without disrupting a slumbering roommate. Although adjustable lights are pretty much a must for college life, you may want to consider looking for a lamp that has a clip on the bottom. This allows your student to clip the lamp on the bedside so it is simple to study from the comforts of bed. Of course, if you do find a light lamp you should always customize it with a clamp so it can easily be moved from the desk to the bed. Another great option is a simple book light. These can be purchased online, in book stores and many department stores at a price that will actually surprise you.
10. Plants
So, it wont make your student any more success, but it will add a burst of life to the room. Plants are relaxing and make your student slow down a little in order to absorb the new experience a little better. Plants tend to make people feel a lot less lonely as well. With a plant relying on your company its easier feel needed and not as stressed about life in general. Of course, when you pick out your plant your might consider buying something a little more resilient, like a cactus. These amazing plants can ensure some major neglect, so if your student does end up getting too busy to remember it the plant will still be right where it was left before the chaos began. You can also make the plant even brighter by picking out a colorful pot, or simply buying a plain pot so your student can decorate as designed.
Dorm living doesn’t have to be a huge shock to first time students. With these ten items in your child’s room college will be a lot more comfortable. Decorating with these items won’t just create an extraordinary environment for study, but will help leaving the nest a trip an adventure that isn’t as homesick as they might have imagined. You may even feel better about it too thanks to the cool setup you created.
