Back to school is here and I’m dancing in the street for the quiet time headed my way. It’s ok, you can admit it too! Ethan is headed to the 5th grade and my daughter is starting her junior year in college. One thing all parents will be doing this time of the year is shopping! Dorm Room Essentials VS Classroom Essentials are two totally different shopping adventures. I’m super excited to have partnered with Procter & Gamble to bring you a few dorm room essentials to get your college aged (big)kid off with a great start!
Dorm Room Essentials – Back To College Supply Checklist
My daughter’s freshmen year was crazy hectic. She was excited to be on her own, we were nervous about her being alone. And boy did we over do it with dorm room essentials we thought she’d need! We bought everything from cute little night time reading lights to a small printer we were sure she’d use. Big fat nope. What she really needed were the everyday personal hygiene and grooming products. Basically, everything they take for granted mom buys at the store every week that they don’t want to spend their own money on. Let’s face it, those cute jeans are higher on the must-have list than toothpaste and razors right now. But you and I both know how much they really need those items and just how much of your budget they take up.
Dorm Room Essentials
The Harmon Section at Bed Bath & Beyond features all kinds of great Procter & Gamble products. We got a great shower caddy and filled it with everything from a Gillette Venus Flex Swirl Razor, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, and a Loofah. To some Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste and an Oral B Toothbrush. This way she can carry everything she needs in one trip from her dorm room to the washroom. Early morning classes are tough enough to get to when mom’s not backing up the alarm clock. Make it a bit easier on them by stocking them up on those dorm room essentials from the start. And right now, until August 31, you can get a $10 Bed Bath & Beyond gift card if you buy $40 worth of participating P&G items in the store! This I thought was great because they can really use that gift card to refill those necessities as they run out.
We found some super cute Twin XL sheet sets at Bed Bath & Beyond too. Super important to remember – dorm beds are not standard twin sized! You do need to pick up the XL sized bedding. We grabbed a great reading pillow which she loved and assures me she uses all the time, even if she’s just surfing on the computer. Which reminds me, don’t forget extra batteries, chargers and cords, some great earbuds or headphones as well as a mini coffee maker! They put all those to good use!
Unless you want them bringing home dirty laundry they saved up for three months, send them off with a good supply of clean towels and some Tide Pods. Most dorm rooms are equipped with washers and dryers now-a-days. At the very least, there’s a laundromat super close. We know they are buying pizza over laundry soap, right? Grab these handy packs of no mess pods and they just might surprise you by how quick they decide clean smelling clothes are pretty important to their social life. And hey, mom? THANKS for that! 😉
When it comes to dorm room essentials, we learned the hard way that trying to get all matched up with the new roommate is a huge time and money waster! After the first month, they honestly could careless. Buy your kiddo what makes them happy, fits their style and send along one or two things that remind them of home. As much a they deny it now, they will be looking for some emotional support while they are away. Even if it’s a simple throw pillow from their bed at home or that old stuffed bear they hide in a drawer. We also found that sending gift cards to favorite restaurants, gas stations and such is an awesome idea. Being away at college means living on a super tight budget. Sometimes for the first time ever. Having those gift cards they can only use at specific places for specific needs was a huge help when funds were low.
To help get you and your new college student started, I’ve got a great giveaway.
Win a $50 Bed Bath & Beyond gift card and prize pack filled with the following P&G products by sharing your #CollegeSpeak term!
- CoverGirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner
- CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick
- Gillette Venus Swirl Razor
- Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
- Old Spice Lasting Legend Dirt Destroyer Body Wash
- Secret Outlast Invisible Solid Deodorant
- Tide Pods
- Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste
- Oral B Toothbrush
Any of these cool #collegespeak terms apply. Plus, they are fun. Learn the new lingo you’ll be using for the next few years.
MOMCLEAN (a): Clean like it came right from your mom’s washer
SPEAKYCLEAN (a): So shiny you have to say something about it
HAIRAPY (v): The action of washing your hair and getting a fresh start
LEGDAY (n): A great day for showing off those legs
FRESHZEN (n): A student who is completely focused on fresh
ALLDAYER (n): When you responsibly get through the day without even a nap
And for my Twitter lovers, sign up for the P&G Bed Bath & Beyond #CollegeSpeak Twitter Party – Wednesday, 8- 17, at 9 A.M. – http://bit.ly/2aL4acx
GOOD LUCK!
And remember…. breathe. They will be fine! Enjoy the peace & quiet until they come home for winter break!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Procter & Gamble
