Comments on: Dorm Room Clutter: What Do You Actually Need for College

By: Nate Poodel

Nate Poodel — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 05:41:08 +0000

Where did you all go to college? We weren’t allowed to have anything that produced heat in our dorm rooms. NO microwaves, NO irons, NO coffee pots etc…There was one microwave but it was locked up at night. I would have loved to have had a fridge but we could only have the smallest on possible. And, I never had money to fill it anyway. I was always forced to eat in the cafeteria and only the cafeteria.
TVs were worthless as well because the university refused to outfit the rooms with cable. If you had a Tv you got to use the rabbit ears and hope for the best.

If I was going into the dorms now I would take:
1. a computer with the best printer I could afford.
2. bedding
3. school supplies
4. contraception
5. personal grooming products
6. clothes

That’s it! I don’t think I’d need anything else. LOL

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:01:04 +0000

Here’s one thing to consider. If you know for sure your child will be attending college, buy the essentials such as bedding and other non-perishable needs a full year ahead AFTER the back to school sales on clearance. We were able to get exactly what she wanted at 75% off the original prices.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:16:56 +0000

I am going to college in the fall first time, and I am not leaving home. My college is less then 15 minutes away. But my mom wants to go out an spend 1000′s of dollars on things I dont want nor need. So since my birthday is Friday, I figured asking my friends and family for those things wouldnt be such a hassal. So I found this and I am sorry even if I werent leaving, how can anyone live off of 5 pairs of clothing I mean come on. PARTY’S, JOB INTERVIEWS. Have we heard of those things. I know college isnt just a place to learn or party, I plain on spending most my time studing and hanging out with my underclassmen from hight school. But my list for college is litteraly 21 items at the moment, because everything I need is already here. But if I were going to a college where i needed a dorm it would be more like 100 items. I know somethings I would never use, but the thought of being alone and with out the people I most care about bothers me. So I am sure it bothers most college students. I understand the mini list for beginers. But what you really need to do is use that list and think about your personality. I know for me, I am a shoe person so I would have a box or two full of shoes. Posters and Pictures, favorit blanket, those things define who you are. I do like the list for a starting point. But everyone is different and your personality will change in college from what it was in high school. But going in as a freshman your personality needs to be shown you dont want to send your kid off as a good kid whos never done a bad thing in there life, and they come back covered in tattoos whos prego and dating a guy whos goal in life is to go to 100 partys in a month. :) sorry but life is life people are people and needs are needs why waist time worring about what we cant change.

By: Tony Marren

Tony Marren — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:31:53 +0000

If I had to repeat college again;
this would be my supply of things to use.

1. A supply of tee shirts from FinishLine shoe store–12–assorted colors

2. Two hooded sweat shirts

3. 2 crew collar sweat shirts

4. Three pairs of black or blue denim pants

5. White sweat socks by Dickies brands 12 pairs

6. 12 pairs of underwear–fruit of the loom or hanes

7. 2 pairs cross trainers and two pairs low cut oxfords

8. One good poly or down outerwear vest for cold weather use if needed

9. A good sturdy army surplus duffle bag king sized size XL to carry clothes

10. Pillow,pillow cases (2) fitted sheets (2)

11. comforter in full size or king sized

12 LAPTOP–with appropriate programs for word processing and Internet connections

13. A decent rain coat

14. 3-4 polo golf shirts from Old Navy

Make sure clothing is washable–not dry cleaned.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 03:22:49 +0000

I was thinking of this post again today (it made an impression when you originally wrote it) while figuring out what to get rid of next from my apt. I’m leaning toward minimalism in the most maximus way and I’m sick of distractions.

By: IASSOS

IASSOS — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:12:57 +0000

Where does it say that you must change clothes every day? Three pairs of jeans at four days each will last for 12 days before washing. If they all look alike, nobody will know. Four shirts at three days each. And do your own calculation on underwear.

By: DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad

DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:35:49 +0000

This is a great post that should be applied to everyday life . . . minimalize and simplify.

I hate to carry stuff!

By: Anna

Anna — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:26:31 +0000

Well I approve the list in theory, but being English my university doesn’t have ‘dorms’ in the sense that you mean. We get a fridge with the room, and basic furniture, and since I have to fly to go there my stuff is necessarily limited. Although this cut down on tidying a bit, it did mean that my room looked somewhat Spartan!

By the by could anyone tell me if it is true that you have to share a room sometimes in American dorms?

And 5 outfits is not realistic. My university does several blacktie events, requiring at the very least two or three smart cocktail dresses etc, which doesn’t even include the outfits needed for class/ going places. I probably take several pairs of jeans, lots of jumpers and t-shirts, underwear, several dresses, several skirts and random other items, and I still find myself doing laundry fairly regularly

By: Ms. Ferret

Ms. Ferret — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:06:54 +0000

I was very minimalist in college, but don’t know if I could recommend it for most people. I came to college with basically a backpack and a duffel bag — I moved to WA from HI so it’s not like I could bring a steamer trunk with me on the plane, even back then.

What I brought:
- Enough jeans, T-shirts, and underwear to last a week or so. I was an angry metalhead girl in college so I didn’t care about having an endless supply of cute outfits. Yes, I did laundry a lot (IIRC in my dorm it was free).
- One wool jacket I picked up at a Goodwill in HI. Previous to this I’d never needed a coat, so I only had a vague idea of what was required to survive a mainland winter. Yes, I was occasionally cold that year.
- One pair of boots (I did buy a pair of athletic shoes later in the year, but never understood how my roommate could have so many pairs of shoes under her bed).
- Rubber slippers for the bathroom.
- A hand-knit blanket.
- A knit cap and wool socks given to me by a mainland relative. I still have the cap.
- A sleeping bag, used in place of an actual comforter.
- A flask.
- A swiss army knife.
- A portable CD player and a couple of CDs.
- Letters and pictures from family & friends back home.
- A sewing kit.

What I bought from Target upon arrival:
- An alarm clock.
- A lamp.
- A pillow.
- Two sets of sheets.
- Two towels.
- One shower bucket thing for toiletries.
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss).
- Paper, pens and envelopes.

On one hand, I definitely didn’t bring too much stuff with me. I was able to focus on studies and socializing since I didn’t have any anti-social time-sucks in my dorm room (no TV, no video game console, no stereo).

On the other hand, living this minimally can be kind of a drag, at least for the first few weeks. Sure, my section of the room was always neat, and I spent a lot of time out hanging out with friends instead of hanging out with my stuff — but I think that having so little stuff really made me feel more homesick than I would have felt with a little more friendly clutter. If I had to do it over again I’d probably bring some stuffed animals or something.

By: Chris Cruz

Chris Cruz — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:15:22 +0000

Just about everybody wishes they did something different in college. Whether it was take a different major or go after a girl you never had the balls to approach. College is more than a learning experience in the classroom. It’s transitioning from childhood to adulthood. So you’re definitely going to do somethings you’ll learn from and regret

By: mewithoutdebt

mewithoutdebt — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:20:42 +0000

I agree with minimal approach in packing. Beside list i would suggest more things such as bedding supplies, cell phone etc.

However, I cannot agree with just 5 change of clothes. It’s just not practical. I will make it at least 14-21 because doing laundry in college is not as easy as home, may conflict with last minute dash to finishscollege work. Above all, do people really wear same 5 things over and over again?

By: Tyler

Tyler — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:31:24 +0000

“A small reading lamp For studying and taking notes in dim lighting. I’d get a very tiny clip one that could go anywhere, powered by LEDs.”

You know, I’d actually get an LED reading lamp powered by batteries. LEDs have a tough time holding a charge…

By: Jackie

Jackie — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:23:22 +0000

I just finished my freshman year of college, and I have to say that I used nearly everything I brought. In fact, the biggest thing that I brought and never used, you put on your list! I bought a desk lamp, turned it on once in around november, it took me ten minutes to try to get it to actually point to my work. I failed, at which point i quit and just turned it off. Biggest waste of room ever. After that night I took it off my desk and stored it under the bed.
Also, I would say to bring not just one set of linens, but two sets. You don’t know how many times people came in my room, saw my unmade bed and went “Ewww do you EVER change your sheets?” simply because I put the same sheets back on my bed after I washed them. It’s embarrassing.
TV is a must, nothing cures a Saturday hangover better than sitting in bed with your friends all day watching movies, and a laptop is WAY too small for more than one person to watch.
I used my microwave daily, as well as the fridge, and although my roommates took care of them because I brought the TV, if I didn’t have roommates it would have been worth it to buy it myself.
I was in a slightly unique situation because I lived in a forced triple, so we only had two closets and dressers for three girls, so in that situation I would also suggest a second closet bar that can be hung from the original, and maybe an extra set of drawers. My roommate had a set of drawers and without it we never could have split dresser space for all of us. I got the second closet bar halfway through the year, and it was great so that my roommate and I didn’t have to alternate laundry days anymore to get both of our clothes in one closet.
Also, just a question, Where in the world did you get such a HUGE backpack that could fit five days worth of clothes, a computer, a lamp, and toiletries? Sounds like a magical backpack to me. My toiletries alone took up an entire storage bin. Of course since you’re a man, toiletries probably doesn’t include hairbrush, hairspray, hairdryer, makeup, tampons, perfume and such, so I could see that not taking up much space. It’s also true, my older brother needed much less stuff simply because he’s male. You men really need to get a clue though.

By: Lenetta @ Nettacow

Lenetta @ Nettacow — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:01:56 +0000

I haven’t read all the comments yet, good suggestions but I really like the gist of the article. I am such a planner and take everything that I think I might need and I overload myself by about 70% most of the time (i.e. I only need about 30% of what I brought). Linked to this on my weekly roundup under my name. Thanks!

By: Alex L

Alex L — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:44:24 +0000

Hmm. This is comment 81, and if anyone reads this one, you are super. (:

I’m not even in college yet (senior), and I already know that this list will not cut it for any student who plans to LIVE during college. By LIVE I don’t mean go out party, drink, etc. I mean getting a social life, meeting friends that you’ll be with for four years.

That’s kind of a random tangent, but something to keep in mind.

If my parents sent me off with that, I would…not like it. Don’t get me wrong, I do not consider myself to be spoiled, and I have a pretty good understanding of their own expenses. However this is just kind of not enough.

First off – clothes. I’m a guy and I like looking nice – nothing wrong with that. I am definitely bring more than 5 days worth of clothes. Wearing the same few shirts every day for even one year is just tacky. Sometimes, depending on which group you’re in, you might need a tux, suit, or semi-formal wear. I’m not going to include any of THAT into my ’5 day’ regimen. Pants/jeans/shorts, meh. Doesn’t really matter, I guess. But still, if anyone expects to have any social life, 5 outfits will not cut it.

Additionally, who really has time to do laundry every 5 days? Especially as a college student and when finals roll around…

Everything else is just pushing it. I don’t want really list everything I’m going to pack, but I’ll categorize it.

College IS for studying, but it’s learning to live too. During those moments when you’re not studying, what would you do in free time, with that list you’ve listed. Sometimes a TV might not be a bad idea. Maybe some sport activity.

What people mentioned above pretty much covers what I have to say.
Homesickness. I am definitely going to bring some pictures with me, even though they’re all available on Facebook. But there are some pictures that I just want in person. Senior yearbook as well.

I dunno. There are some things that you just HAVE to bring with you, I think. If you’re like right by home (i.e. from where I live, UCLA/USC is 1 hour away), sure, don’t bring TOO much.
But if I were to go to New York or even anywhere out of state, I would need to bring more.
Think about it – if you’re an hour away, anything you need you can just drive to pick up.
Further – not so easy.

Sometimes the ‘bare necessities’ are not always the best for four years of your life.

By: Joyful Abode

Joyful Abode — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:46:22 +0000

Yeahhhhhh I know you’ve heard it a million times in the comments above, but your idea of going to college with a light load is great, while the actual list needs some work.

I had to bring my own towels to school – they didn’t provide those. Did your school give you towels? Bath mat? Cleaning supplies?
What about bedding? Sure there was a bed, but sheets, comforter, pillow(s), were brought from home.

I also brought basic cooking supplies and bought some ingredients/easy to make stuff so that I could cook for myself when my meal-plan meals for the week were used up and/or when I missed the meal time due to studying, class, whatever… much more frugal to have a way to cook for yourself than to go out to eat in those cases.

And if you’re doing laundry every 5 days, surely you’d need detergent, dryer sheets (if you use them), stain removers, etc… right? More frugal to get stains out of your clothes than to buy new ones.

Come on… good idea, poor execution.

By: CollegeCheap

CollegeCheap — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:53:55 +0000

BTW college ladies, if you really need to find extra room in your budget let me suggest forgoing the “intimate relations.” You won’t implode, and chances are the only things you’ll miss out on are a source of drama and spending 100 bucks a year on generic medication.

Controversial, perhaps, but no crazier than peeing in the shower to save water.

By: CollegeCheap

CollegeCheap — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:12:27 +0000

I agree with Frugal New Yorker — it is costly to do laundry when you live in school housing. I did the calculations and the difference between taking enough clothing for five days and taking enough for seven days is just over $30.

By: DB Cooper

DB Cooper — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:13:13 +0000

What about a frisbee? A ball glove? A football to toss, or a basketball to bounce? Running shoes & clothes? A bike? Got to have some time to recreate or I’d go crazy! Seriously, I don’t go anywhere without a frisbee. Have to live a little!

By: Jakob Kastelic

Jakob Kastelic — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:51:36 +0000

What about software you need for college? I think MS Office and LaTeX are a must, maybe other software
?