Target Has the Best Dorm Room Essentials for College Move-In Day (2024)

FAQs

What should you buy for college dorm? ›

Overall, the back-to-college season is big business, with families expected to spend an average of about $1,367 per person, up 14 percent from a year ago, according to an annual survey conducted this summer by the National Retail Federation and market researcher Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Dorms have strict rules in place for kitchen appliances, which is an important aspect of adjusting to college life. Usually, anything that could be a fire hazard is prohibited. This includes items like hot plates, toasters, panini makers, toaster ovens, and indoor grills, for example.

Typically, on move-in day, resident assistants, employees of the housing department, and other student volunteers will help you unpack your vehicle or help you with your belongings for an easy process. They've established order of operations and will help make your child's move-in day as easy as possible.

The typical rent payment across the United States is about $1,500, but add on utilities, gas, and groceries, you're looking at above $2,000 a month. This means you could be paying anywhere from $13,000 to $20,000 per year for housing. (Remember, dorming usually only costs about $10,000 per year!)

We recommend bringing about 2-3 weeks' worth of clothes to wear while at college. The versatility of your outfits will determine if you have more or fewer clothes. We encourage you to bring enough underwear for three weeks, and multiple pairs of shoes that have different uses.

How Many Towels Do I Need for College? Space is at a premium in small dorm rooms, so be strategic in the number of towels you get for a college student. Two sets of towels is a general guideline—but only send pieces they'll use.

Freshmen often move in before other students – typically between two days and a week before classes start in August or September – unless they are athletes or in the marching band, for instance, which may require earlier arrival.

Your college dorm will receive a deep cleaning before you move in, but we still recommend that you wipe down surfaces with a disinfecting wipe before you begin unpacking your things.

How many boxes do people usually bring to college? ›

The quantity of boxes you require depends on the volume of your belongings. In most cases, students find that the 5 boxes included in our supply kit are adequate. Nevertheless, you have the flexibility to order as many boxes as you deem necessary.

Students tend to fall into one of two categories when packing for college. One is to start preparing 3 to 4 months in advance, have everything organized, color-coded, packed and ready to go weeks before the move-in date. The other is to show up to college with a toothbrush, one flip-flop and a couple of T-shirts.

It'll be impossible to bring your entire wardrobe from home to college with you. But how much of it should you bring? We recommend bringing about 2-3 weeks' worth of clothes to wear while at college. The versatility of your outfits will determine if you have more or fewer clothes.