I love these couple of videos you've done on dorm essentials. My oldest son will be a freshman at University of Alabama, we live in NJ, so he will be far away. I've already gotten some of the things you recommended. I feel as if a lot of these videos are based for girls, and as mom's of boys ( I have 2) we know they don't necessarily care about the decorative things, but as mom's we still want to make sure they have all they need and we feel better knowing they are comfortable. Thank you so much for this video, I really appreciate it!
I agree with you. Every site I looked at seemed to be towards girls. My only child is a son and will be a freshman here in Texas but a different city from where I live and Marnie's ideas for the dorm have been my lifeline plus all the excellent ideas from her subscribers like you! I have learned so much and am so appreciative.
If the dorm room is not air conditioned, a fan is very nice for them to have - white noise helps too! Also, one kitchen sized trash can with a lid instead of two desk sized ones.
I used your previous dorm essential video for my son at Iowa State. You gave us such wonderful ideas! He used up a couple bottles of Downey wrinkle release. Also, we bought a cheap rug for his room which he could throw away before coming home.
Thanks for reminding me about getting the Medical Directive form and HIPAA form. I remember you saying that several months ago and thinking what a good idea. It is so funny I went on ahead and switched my son from the pediatrician to an adult doctor and when we were checking in and doing all the forms, the desk gal would barely look at me. She directed everything to my son. I can imagine how difficult it could be in an emergency situation to get information. We are working on renovating my sons condo for him to live in and eventually my other son will live in it also while in college. However, I am having to think on a much larger scale what he needs. Our dining room has also become a massive storage room. His stuff is taking over. Great idea with the IKEA bags. I think I will pick some up. It will probably be easier than using trash bags for moving. Thanks for the great video.
Love these videos! Feels like yesterday you filmed the first dorm-video when Jake was moving! I was a exchange student on the US 10 years ago and I had NOTHING in our dorm room! I luckily lived with an American girl so could use her microwave and fridge. It's a hard life in the dorms 😂 Shane is lucky to have a mom and dad that is so invested! ❤
The computer safe was something I sent my daughter to school with back in 2009. It became a gift for all my friends children when they went off to school. My daughter put jewelry, her money, car keys and of course her computer when she left her room. ( It was a good thing we had it because her sophomore year fall session her then roommate left school and we found she had been stealing things)
I love these videos! I did read a tip for hanging the command curtain rods...folks were saying to stick and hold it for 30 seconds and then wait an hour before you hang the rod and curtains on it. Something abt the glue on the command strip needing to set up. I am so glad you mentioned the shower curtain/closet privacy thing. My son is going to Furman and they have deep narrow closets that look like the one Shane has. Great idea for a bit prof privacy! I am sending along a tiny sewing kit as well. Not that he knows how to sew but he can You Tube it. ;)
Love seeing this! I'm about to send my 3rd (of 5) off to UW Madison. Two boys already, girl this time.....we were just at Target getting her bedding yesterday. One fun thing I did for my boys was to leave a little care package behind with the roommate (I included a family pic for their desk, couple other fun odds and ends) and asked the roommate to give it to our son/s shortly after we drove away from dropping them off for their very first semester :)
Marnie, Once again, this is an invaluable video.Our two daughters have attended and already graduated college, and now our son is going to college this August. All I can say is, what a different experience it is! My girls had multiple conversations about coordinating bedding, and everything and anything else in the room had to match, and feel like their rooms at home! My son and his roomate decided they wanted navy and gray, and they didnt care about anything else, what a PLEASURE!!!!!!! The girls all seem to want everything from Bed, Bath & Beyond. The boys couldn't have cared less. After investigating, I must say, that I found the softest,nicest bedding from Kohl's, and many other dorm room items as well. The prices and the quality were stellar! We got the same woven storage drawers that you did. They were on sale at Target this week. We purchased them in gray, as their dorm rooms have blonde wood furniture. Walmart was good for some things as well. Basically, you have to cherry pick. Our kids have been to 7 years of sleepaway camp, and teen tours, so they all have tremendous canvas trunks with their names embroidered on them that we were told to save for college move in(putting it out their in case anyone else has them). I would also suggest some desk acoutriments to make the room feel homey. Our daughters all made framed collages for the wall of family and friends(don't see my son doing that, LOL).I picked up a great large laundry bag that has back pack straps as well as handles at Target. The first year my son does not have a shower in his room, so I got him a mesh and canvas(waterproof) shower caddy to haul to the shower. We were also advised not to send the pod detergents as the liquid soap works far better on the "college" washing machines. Hope this helps. Please keep us updated on other "finds". Wishing Shane luck in all of his future endeavors. We are now part of the "empty nest club",XOX!!
Also, one more recommendation, I would advise buying a protective laptop case with a shoulder strap, as it makes it easier not to drop it when they have books to carry.
No, I don't. Got them at target. Laundry bag is navy, and it is hanging up in plastic packaging in the college dorm section. Shower caddy comes in navy or gray, and is on an end cap near the bathroom section. Hope this helps!!
Marnie, you out did yourself again! Loved the details! I don’t like to reinvent the wheel & it’s great to find someone who I trust their judgement. Not going to lie, I’m a huge Pepto fan also, it solves all kinds of symptoms, if Pepto doesn’t give some sort of relief, then there’s a real problem 😉
Marnie, I also think I will add a box of the lipton chicken noodle soup and a box of jello to the first aid box. My daughter's room comes with a frig and microwave, and shes bringing an electric tea pot.
Mine is going to Auburn in the fall. It helps knowing what items you’ve come up with. We went with an apartment, one bedroom because Auburn doesn’t guarantee freshman housing.😬 didn’t want to gamble with that. He got a decent scholarship so that will offset some of the expense. Also Auburn allows you to have a car first year. Thanks for doing these videos! Ohh-Marnie put IMODIUM in there, nobody wants to go to the store when you are sick with diarrhea.
Thank You!! My oldest just graduated and will be attending Texas State in San Marcos. So even though its not far at all (I live in Schertz), I'm kinda freaking out. I've been making these lists in the back of my head, but you had some things I hadn't thought of...mainly the medical power of attorney. I am NOT used to her being an "adult"! 😮
I would love a video of things they don't need or use. It's easy to "buy all the things" and then it's never used while taking up premium space. I have one leaving in the fall.
Oh my how is it that Shane is in college? I remember like it was last yr when you did this video for Jake! My son is a senior so this will be very handy next yr and will come back to this video then. I had just bought those IKEA open blue bags last week and couldn’t believe all that it holds and didn’t know they had ones that were zippered as well. Great video and very helpful 😊
My son & I went shopping for his dorm room this past weekend & got a lot of similar stuff! I used my BB&B coupons. We also got him a nice, comfy throw blanket & bean bag chair. I still need to get him a computer. What kind did you get your son? I am thinking about a Surface Go!
My high school son is leaving in a month (!) for a 12 month exchange year in Switzerland and I’m a bit lost as to how to advise his packing but this got me thinking about a few things - thanks!
Anyone know of a laundry hamper/pop up with shoulder strap? He needs to carry the laundry to the wash room and wants to toss it over his shoulder going down stairs . Needs to be small at UCSB there are 3 large boys to a very small dorm room . Any one have ideas for bunk bed set-up? Or surfboard and wetsuit storage in room so that the wetsuit doesn’t get moldy?
I’m not a mom but I’m curious if you worry about who your son’s roommate will be and what kind of influence he could have on your son. Don’t want to make you worry either. Thank you
Such good ideas. Just wanted to mention that the generic version of Target's Mucinex DM is a lower dosage than the name brand version. Not sure if the one you got is comparable.
I knew you’d help a momma out! I’ve got my “nest built” (as my momma would say😉) with coffee, notepad, and pen ready to take in all your pearls of wisdom!!
I love these couple of videos you've done on dorm essentials. My oldest son will be a freshman at University of Alabama, we live in NJ, so he will be far away. I've already gotten some of the things you recommended. I feel as if a lot of these videos are based for girls, and as mom's of boys ( I have 2) we know they don't necessarily care about the decorative things, but as mom's we still want to make sure they have all they need and we feel better knowing they are comfortable. Thank you so much for this video, I really appreciate it!
I agree with you. Every site I looked at seemed to be towards girls. My only child is a son and will be a freshman here in Texas but a different city from where I live and Marnie's ideas for the dorm have been my lifeline plus all the excellent ideas from her subscribers like you! I have learned so much and am so appreciative.
If the dorm room is not air conditioned, a fan is very nice for them to have - white noise helps too! Also, one kitchen sized trash can with a lid instead of two desk sized ones.
Great ideas!
I used your previous dorm essential video for my son at Iowa State. You gave us such wonderful ideas! He used up a couple bottles of Downey wrinkle release. Also, we bought a cheap rug for his room which he could throw away before coming home.
Walmart has the best cheap rugs! We’re getting Shane one to pick up at the Walmart at Ole Miss!
Thanks, Marnie! You gave me that recommendation last year and it was wonderful!!
I recommend a flashlight in case of power failure . Thanks for all the tips Marnie.
Excellent point!
Add ear thermometer. All of thre floor used this ; illness spreads quickly in the dorm and he was the only one with a thermometer
I would throw a thermometer in with the med kit. Blackout curtain idea is genius. Why didn't we think of that??
I can’t believe I forgot a thermometer! 🤦🏼♀️
Thanks for reminding me about getting the Medical Directive form and HIPAA form. I remember you saying that several months ago and thinking what a good idea. It is so funny I went on ahead and switched my son from the pediatrician to an adult doctor and when we were checking in and doing all the forms, the desk gal would barely look at me. She directed everything to my son. I can imagine how difficult it could be in an emergency situation to get information. We are working on renovating my sons condo for him to live in and eventually my other son will live in it also while in college. However, I am having to think on a much larger scale what he needs. Our dining room has also become a massive storage room. His stuff is taking over. Great idea with the IKEA bags. I think I will pick some up. It will probably be easier than using trash bags for moving. Thanks for the great video.
Love these videos! Feels like yesterday you filmed the first dorm-video when Jake was moving!
I was a exchange student on the US 10 years ago and I had NOTHING in our dorm room! I luckily lived with an American girl so could use her microwave and fridge. It's a hard life in the dorms 😂 Shane is lucky to have a mom and dad that is so invested! ❤
The computer safe was something I sent my daughter to school with back in 2009. It became a gift for all my friends children when they went off to school. My daughter put jewelry, her money, car keys and of course her computer when she left her room. ( It was a good thing we had it because her sophomore year fall session her then roommate left school and we found she had been stealing things)
Oh no! I’m going to remind Shane to utilize it more!
Nice! Thank you for sharing. Even though I don’t have kids that old, I find it interesting. 👍
You are such an amazing mother!!! Your boys are incredibly lucky and so blessed!!!
I love these videos! I did read a tip for hanging the command curtain rods...folks were saying to stick and hold it for 30 seconds and then wait an hour before you hang the rod and curtains on it. Something abt the glue on the command strip needing to set up. I am so glad you mentioned the shower curtain/closet privacy thing. My son is going to Furman and they have deep narrow closets that look like the one Shane has. Great idea for a bit prof privacy! I am sending along a tiny sewing kit as well. Not that he knows how to sew but he can You Tube it. ;)
Love seeing this! I'm about to send my 3rd (of 5) off to UW Madison. Two boys already, girl this time.....we were just at Target getting her bedding yesterday. One fun thing I did for my boys was to leave a little care package behind with the roommate (I included a family pic for their desk, couple other fun odds and ends) and asked the roommate to give it to our son/s shortly after we drove away from dropping them off for their very first semester :)
Marnie, Once again, this is an invaluable video.Our two daughters have attended and already graduated college, and now our son is going to college this August. All I can say is, what a different experience it is! My girls had multiple conversations about coordinating bedding, and everything and anything else in the room had to match, and feel like their rooms at home! My son and his roomate decided they wanted navy and gray, and they didnt care about anything else, what a PLEASURE!!!!!!! The girls all seem to want everything from Bed, Bath & Beyond. The boys couldn't have cared less. After investigating, I must say, that I found the softest,nicest bedding from Kohl's, and many other dorm room items as well. The prices and the quality were stellar! We got the same woven storage drawers that you did. They were on sale at Target this week. We purchased them in gray, as their dorm rooms have blonde wood furniture. Walmart was good for some things as well. Basically, you have to cherry pick. Our kids have been to 7 years of sleepaway camp, and teen tours, so they all have tremendous canvas trunks with their names embroidered on them that we were told to save for college move in(putting it out their in case anyone else has them). I would also suggest some desk acoutriments to make the room feel homey. Our daughters all made framed collages for the wall of family and friends(don't see my son doing that, LOL).I picked up a great large laundry bag that has back pack straps as well as handles at Target. The first year my son does not have a shower in his room, so I got him a mesh and canvas(waterproof) shower caddy to haul to the shower. We were also advised not to send the pod detergents as the liquid soap works far better on the "college" washing machines. Hope this helps. Please keep us updated on other "finds". Wishing Shane luck in all of his future endeavors. We are now part of the "empty nest club",XOX!!
Our boys have the same color scheme going on! Great tips Caryn!
Also, one more recommendation, I would advise buying a protective laptop case with a shoulder strap, as it makes it easier not to drop it when they have books to carry.
Great minds think alike!!!!!!
Do you have a picture of laundry bag and shower caddy?
No, I don't. Got them at target. Laundry bag is navy, and it is hanging up in plastic packaging in the college dorm section. Shower caddy comes in navy or gray, and is on an end cap near the bathroom section. Hope this helps!!
Marnie, you out did yourself again! Loved the details! I don’t like to reinvent the wheel & it’s great to find someone who I trust their judgement. Not going to lie, I’m a huge Pepto fan also, it solves all kinds of symptoms, if Pepto doesn’t give some sort of relief, then there’s a real problem 😉
Marnie, I also think I will add a box of the lipton chicken noodle soup and a box of jello to the first aid box. My daughter's room comes with a frig and microwave, and shes bringing an electric tea pot.
So excited about the headache meds recommendation. I can’t have NSAIDs and normal Tylenol doesn’t always help Thanks!
My niece is headed to college so this is perfect timing!! Your videos are always so helpful, Marnie!
Thank you! My daughter going off to college next month..great products
Excellent series for parents of kids going off to school. So many things I wish I had know when I left home for school almost 40 years ago.
Loved this video. So full of great tips for the essential dorm stuff that is needed for college. *Ikea bags... good one! Thanks Marnie!
I am several years from sending anyone off to college. I did find this very helpful for some college bound gift giving ideas. Thank you.
Mine is going to Auburn in the fall. It helps knowing what items you’ve come up with. We went with an apartment, one bedroom because Auburn doesn’t guarantee freshman housing.😬 didn’t want to gamble with that. He got a decent scholarship so that will offset some of the expense. Also Auburn allows you to have a car first year. Thanks for doing these videos! Ohh-Marnie put IMODIUM in there, nobody wants to go to the store when you are sick with diarrhea.
Should have put that in there! Shane’s not supposed to use that...
Perfect timing! My older son heading to UofOregon and finds out dorm assignment this weekend. Thank u!!!!
I love the IKEA bags. I have 2 in college and they work wonderfully for moving in and out.
Thank You!! My oldest just graduated and will be attending Texas State in San Marcos. So even though its not far at all (I live in Schertz), I'm kinda freaking out. I've been making these lists in the back of my head, but you had some things I hadn't thought of...mainly the medical power of attorney. I am NOT used to her being an "adult"! 😮
I wouldn’t call them adults yet...I told my kids they’re adults when they’re paying all of their own bills! 🤣🤣
Loved it! Saved it! Will revisit in a few years 😬
I would love a video of things they don't need or use. It's easy to "buy all the things" and then it's never used while taking up premium space. I have one leaving in the fall.
There's really nothing that's jumping out at me that we bought that hasn't been used...but I'd love to hear that as well from other people!
Oh my how is it that Shane is in college? I remember like it was last yr when you did this video for Jake! My son is a senior so this will be very handy next yr and will come back to this video then. I had just bought those IKEA open blue bags last week and couldn’t believe all that it holds and didn’t know they had ones that were zippered as well. Great video and very helpful 😊
My son & I went shopping for his dorm room this past weekend & got a lot of similar stuff! I used my BB&B coupons. We also got him a nice, comfy throw blanket & bean bag chair. I still need to get him a computer. What kind did you get your son? I am thinking about a Surface Go!
Shane got a MacBook Pro.
My high school son is leaving in a month (!) for a 12 month exchange year in Switzerland and I’m a bit lost as to how to advise his packing but this got me thinking about a few things - thanks!
WOW!! That's a tough one-can you ship some things?
I don't have a child going to college but we travel a lot and appreciate you sharing these items
Thanks Marnie I’m sending my youngest away in August so needed this!
Good video. My boys aren’t old enough yet but great ideas! Good luck to Shane!
You look so gorgeous without makeup!!!!
Marnie you knock it out of the park with these videos!!
Great ideas. Thanks!
Hi Marnie, Great tips for parents sending their children off to college. xo, Karen
Great video Marnie. It looks like Shane is ready to go!
He’s so ready!!
Great, Marnie, THANKS!!!
Anyone know of a laundry hamper/pop up with shoulder strap? He needs to carry the laundry to the wash room and wants to toss it over his shoulder going down stairs . Needs to be small at UCSB there are 3 large boys to a very small dorm room . Any one have ideas for bunk bed set-up? Or surfboard and wetsuit storage in room so that the wetsuit doesn’t get moldy?
Ikea bag to carry laundry!
You're a good mom and very savvy. I hope Shane enjoys Summer School. What an exciting time.
xo~linda
Great video Marnie!
Nice!!
Great video 🤗
Hugs from Denmark 🇩🇰 🌹 🌺
I’m not a mom but I’m curious if you worry about who your son’s roommate will be and what kind of influence he could have on your son. Don’t want to make you worry either. Thank you
Not really...just hope they’ll be polite and easy to get along with.
💚💚💚
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
👍🏻👍🏻
Such good ideas. Just wanted to mention that the generic version of Target's Mucinex DM is a lower dosage than the name brand version. Not sure if the one you got is comparable.
I knew you’d help a momma out! I’ve got my “nest built” (as my momma would say😉) with coffee, notepad, and pen ready to take in all your pearls of wisdom!!