Dorm Room Overkill?

This week, many of you are headed off to college for the first time.  For most, this is the first time you will be living outside of your parents’ home and sharing a space with a stranger.  In order to feel “at home,” it is important to have a comfortable space that reflects who you are.  But what stuff is necessary to make a dorm room into a home?
USA Today recently reported that the typical college student – and parent – overdoes it when it comes to purchasing dorm essentials.  Match-y accessories, supplies, furniture, new clothes, and technology don’t come cheap.  And not all of these “essentials” will fit into an average dorm room (at least not if you want to leave any space for your roommate).  In order to avoid ditching some of your new purchases in the dumpster or sending them home with mom and dad, you should keep a few things in mind:

1. Refer to your school’s dorm room rules & regulations before you go shopping.  Some dorms will not allow certain items in rooms – lamps, hot plates, microwaves, coffee makers, etc. – because they are a fire hazard.  Knowing your school’s rules can help you avoid making an unnecessary purchase.
2. Know the size of your dorm room.  Your college should have provided you with this information; if not, contact the Resident Director for your dorm.  Having a good sense of the dimensions of your room will prevent you from buying too much.
3. Pack light.  Take it from someone who has moved several times – less is more.  The less stuff you have to move, the sooner you can get settled.  Also, don’t forget that you will have to move all that stuff at the end of the semester, either home or to a storage space, and mom and dad may not be around to help you.
4. Chain stores are nearly everywhere.  It’s unlikely that your college is in the middle of nowhere.  You should find a Wal-Mart, and probably a Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and maybe even a mall, near your school.  You can always purchase the things you find that you need after you arrive on campus.

Good luck with the moving in process!  And check back next week for some advice on how to get through the first week of classes. 
Finally, be sure to send in your questions – askcollegesmart@gmail.com