|
|
August 2, 2002/Av 24 5762, Vol. 54, No. 46
An A+ shopping list for the college dorm
LILA BALTMAN
Special to Jewish News
Calling all college students! Now that summer break is almost over, you have only a few shopping weeks left to prepare for your exciting move into your college dorm.
If you haven't yet taken a trip over to Target to see the new Todd Oldham "Dorm Room Collection" or stocked up on supplies at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Linens 'n Things, WalMart, K-Mart, Circuit City or Best Buy, now is the time to start shopping.
However, before you get in the car to begin your shopping odyssey (which can be a lot of fun, but also a bit overwhelming), make sure you know exactly which items your college dorm will provide, and which items you will be responsible for.
For instance, some college dorm rooms provide trashcans, mirrors, carpeting and lamps. Other dorm rooms do not. Be sure to check ahead of time. It's no fun to study in the dark.
Also, be sure you know exactly which items are forbidden in your dorm.
Abby Goldman, 18, a graduate of Desert Mountain High School who will be starting college at Arizona State University in the fall, already knows that in her dormitory the policy is: "If it glows, it goes."
Therefore, halogen lamps, candles and space heaters are forbidden.
Some of the best graduation presents she received, says Goldman, were gift cards to the store Organized Living in Scottsdale, which specializes in everything from compact photo organizers and trunks to small ironing boards and free-standing shelves that go above a bed.
Whitney Owens, 18, a graduate of Horizon High School who will begin her freshman year at Chapman University in Orange, Calif., this fall, refers to Organized Living as the "dorm room survival store."
"This store seriously has everything to help you get organized," she says. "Working at Organized Living this summer has provided me with tons of great ideas and products to make my transition into tight quarters as easy as possible."
Owens now realizes that the trick to living in a small dorm room is to "think vertically instead of just horizontally, and to use odd places that might not normally be thought of as a storage space."
For example, the back of the door is a perfect place for storage, she says, so there are many over-the-door towel racks, shoe racks, hat organizers and hooks available.
"Another great place for storage is right under the bed," Owens points out. "I know a lot of college students who purchase the heavy-duty plastic bed risers, which raise the bed six inches off the ground and provide for more storage underneath."
Rachel Mondeau, 18, a sophomore at the University of Arizona, says that she loves to store things under her dorm room bed. "I keep all of my macaroni and cheese and other dried food in bins under my bed," she explains.
Having experienced her first year of dorm room life, Mondeau now has these words of wisdom to share with all incoming freshmen:
"Bring lots of double-sided tape to hang things up on the wall, bring photos and other reminders of friends and family back home, and start saving up your quarters now for the laundry...you'll need them."
Bedding:
- Twin sheet sets - most college dorm rooms have extra-long twin beds that require extra-long sheets. It's a good idea to check.
- Washable comforter
- Blanket
- Pillows and pillow cases
- Accent rug
- Long body pillow - some students buy a body pillow to keep them warm against a cold, brick dorm wall.
Kitchen:
- Flatware
- Glassware set
- Microwave-safe dinnerware sets
- Dorm-sized microwave
- Dorm-sized refrigerator
- Coffeemaker and coffee mug
- Crockpot
- Toaster oven
Bathroom:
- Bath towels, hand towels and washcloths
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss
- Soap, shampoo and conditioner (and all the other hair products that you can't live without)
- Hairdryer
- Bathrobe
- Shower caddy
For storage and organization:
- 1 set of bed risers
- 2 under-the-bed storage containers
- 1 CD rack
- Hangers
- 2 trash cans
Studying supplies:
- 1 computer
- 1 bookcase
- 1 desk and desk chair - these may be supplied by your college
- 1 desk lamp
- 1 lap desk
- 1 bulletin board
- 1 backpack
- 1 floor lamp
- 1 butterfly chair - if there's room
Necessities:
- 2 extension cords
- 1 surge protector
- Double-sided tape
- 1 door mirror
- 1 hand mirror
- Picture frames
- Photo albums
- Posters
- Alarm clock/clock radio
- Wall hooks
- Batteries
- Light bulbs
- Small first-aid kit
- 1 hamper
- 2 laundry bags - one for colors, one for whites
- Laundry detergent and fabric softener
- 1 drying rack or portable clothesline
- 1 iron and ironing board
- 1 floor vacuum
- 1 hand-held vacuum
- Air freshener (Remember guys: real men use air freshener)
|
