Don't Foget to Pack These Dorm Room Essentials

Packing for college seems simple enough. Everyone thinks of the essentials like college supplies, a laptop, a dorm refrigerator, and a microwave. Having packed a child for college and planning on packing for another one next fall, I know what is often left out of a college and dorm room packing list. Here are some items you need to consider packing.

1) Cleaning supplies. Remember to bring a vacuum or dust pan and mop, depending on whether the dorm room is carpeted or tiled. Also bring air freshener and floor cleaner. Febreeze is a great item to hide room mates shoe smells or leftover food scents.

2) Essential sleep supplies. Dorms are noisy by nature of having so many young people living there. With studying, music and partying, it is often difficult to sleep. Plus not all students have the same schedule, so someone is almost always awake making noise. Sleeping earplugs and a noise machine are needed to drown out the noise. Also, room mates often turn on lights, and come in and out of the room all night, so remember to bring a sleep visor or mask.

3) Food containers. Student often remember to bring dishes, bowls and utensils, but what about storage containers for the fridge? Many college campuses do not have weekend meals, so something to tore leftover food in will come in handy. Remember a dorm size fridge is small, plus it is only for one person, so buy small containers.

4) Spices and seasonings. Nothing like a bland bowl of leftover chili without seasoning or dry cafeteria french fries without salt. Also remember to send your student with a few condiments such as kethcup and mustard. They may not be able to find these items on campus, unless they bring packages with them from the cafeteria.

5) Dress up clothes and dress shoes. A student generally brings lot of blue jeans, sweatshirts and tennis shoes. A student might need dressier clothes for a job interview, a date, or a church event. Also remember to bring dress shoes.

By making a dorm room list ahead of time, and thinking about all the essentials , you can assure you don't leave anything out. That way, the parent won't have to make countless trips to the college or post office to bring suppliles that your student forgot!