I've thought about this article a lot. And I have nothing to say because all the advice I have contradicts everything I did, yet I stand by everything I did. Online experts say you need 2-3 hours to set up your room, I took 4 days. People recommend buying bundles, well I bought the most expensive duvet I saw because I liked it's sage green color, and I have never loved anything more. There really isn't a "right" way.
That doesn't mean that the process isn't stressful though. I spent hours at home planning and preparing. Here are a few thoughts from someone who has been there, and done that :)
1. Don't plan to shop on arrival:
The nearby target you're depending on visiting for your bedding? It's the same one the remaining 100s of your cohort are banking on too. All the good, fitting be sold out, so either plan to drive a few miles out to find bedding that fits your college bed, or get essentials with you. In my case, I ordered all my bedding online at my aunt's place and she brought it over to help me set up.
2. Create a Budget
The first step in setting up your dorm room is to create a budget. Know how much you can afford to spend and stick to it throughout the process, otherwise, like me, you'd feel bad about spending so much, as an after-thought.
3. Invest in Quality Bedding
I firmly believe this makes or breaks your room. You don't need anything else but a comfy sleep spot. Or as I like to say, a good bed makes all problems go away. Quality bedding may seem expensive upfront, but it's a worthwhile investment for your health and well-being. Think about it this way, you get to split the cost EVERY night for 4 years - a way better return on investment than a toothbrush if you do the math.
4. Think strictly about essentials ONLY:
You'll have tons of time to stock up later. Essentials don't mean being minimalistic - pack your comfort soft toy and the photo frame you want. Don't stress about a refrigerator, food supplies, or a shoe rack - you'll have time for this later.
Packing for College
Personal preference, I love checklists. My mom and I made a massive Excel sheet where we not only listed everything I might need but also kept count of what is being packed in my limited two suitcases. You could also look at this Colleges of Distinction or Big Future Checklist for an idea - although I believe it is too extensive like most are. Think about your day-to-day.
Shopping for College
I am sure you would have come across several college bundles with great savings. If not, a popular, trusted one is DormRoom.co and your college might in fact have a partnership with them.
I didn't go with a bundle as I felt that:
a. I had a particular vision and color palette envisioned for my room.
b. I didn't need a lot of things in the Bundle and did not want to throw something new away or clutter my room.
c. I am a stickler when it comes to quality.
Do I stand by my decision to complicate life for myself by viewing thousands of products on millions of websites? Yes.
Now my Freshman roommate used a bundle and I must say it looked really nice and the quality felt great. However, I needed 100% cotton for my eczema-prone skin and I really wanted the sage green duvet cover - it makes me so happy to date. If you aren't so particular, save yourself the headache and get the bundle - it's pretty decent.
Here are the platforms I used for all my shopping:
Pottery Barn Teen ( for the duvet cover, insert, pillow, and its cover)
Amazon ( for the fitted sheets, bed sheets, mattress topper, and mattress foam (totally unnecessary but a great buy if you want a super soft bed), rug, fairy lights, LED lights, towel )
Target ( cushions, lamp, cutlery, folders storage bins, food boxes, snacks, soaps/shampoo, and a throw)
DollarShop equivalent: light bulbs, dustbin, extra fan (colleges usually provide one), shelves, photo frames.
Last thing, remember to take scrappy clothes for dusting and cleaning the room once before moving in! Colleges tend to clean the room weeks prior to your arrival. Oh and shower slippers are a must!
Try to enjoy the process and don't stress too much. You'll have 4 years to keep updating your dorm!
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