We found out on Friday that Annie will be living in the dorm right next to Leo’s at Notre Dame. We’re all pretty excited. I’m only sad that we only have a few more weeks of summer left!
With Annie being our fourth, my college packing game is TIGHT! Here is my go-to list:
THE LIST
Bedding:
Sheets (most college dorm beds are twin XL…this was news to me! these are the best sheets!)
Comforter This one for girls or this one for boys (also, leave yourself a little time to launder the bedding before you move it. For some reason, no matter where I’ve bought sheets or comforters from, they have a smell. I love making my kids’ beds at school when they have that washed-at-home smell.)
Body pillow (My daughter Grace had this because her bed was right up against a cement wall and this gave her a little cushion)
Headboard (this is more decorative than functional)
Bath:
Shower shoes (flip flops or slides)
Toiletries (including hand soap and dish soap for room sink if there is one)
First aid: Bandaids, cold medicine, pain reliever, vitamins
Room:
Custom light with Annie’s name
9-drawer dresser (will double as a nightstand as it will be tall enough for Annie’s lofted bed)
Trunk for all the stuff that doesn’t fit anywhere else (Grace used this as a coffee table and stored her shoes in it)
Love seat or futon (Facebook Marketplace is also great for this)
TV (Facebook Marketplace is great for this, too)
Tide pods (kids seem to like this over the big jug of detergent) and Color Grabbers (in case those reds get washed with those whites–my friend Jen told me about these)
Fan (even if the dorm has air conditioning, this seems to come in handy)
Closet/wardrobe:
Shoe rack or over-the-door shoe bag
Desk:
School supplies
Extras:
Place setting (or plastic and paper ones that they can just throw away work great, too)
Snacks
Cleaning items (paper towels, disinfectant, Swiffer sweeper)
A good winter coat if they’re going somewhere cold
Boots
Umbrella
Pro Tips:
–If you’re driving like we do, we bring all of the clothes already on hangers and then we could just hang them right up when we get into the room.
–These are great bags for packing and moving things. I think they ship well, too.
–Last year, I asked Eddie if he could give me his “must-have” ideas for school and they were pretty funny. These might be helpful, too.
–If you are still looking for a place to stay at Notre Dame, here’s a wonderful rental that one of my readers shared with me last year. My family stayed here for one of the games and it was wonderful!
–And one more little story I put together last August after I moved Grace in for her senior year.
As always, just holler if you have any questions. Good luck!
xo,
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