All Things Dorm and Preparing Your Student for the Big Move
AGGHHHH! My son is heading to college and moving in the dorm. I’ve got to start thinking about the dorm essentials he will need. Having the right dorm essentials helps your student feel as if they have a home away from home. I hope this list helps answer some questions and eases your worry a bit. You’ve done a good job getting them to this place, they will be great. Time to let them fly!
AGGHHHH! My son is heading to college and moving in the dorm. I’ve got to start thinking about the dorm essentials he will need. Good news, I’ve done this once already. Easy peasy right? Not so much. In 3 short years things have already changed a bit. Not to mention, the girl versus boy thing is very different. (My son could care less about matching his bedding with his roommate’s bedding and doesn’t need the cutesy headboards, matching towels or monogrammed anything! Lucky me! ) So, I did what I do best and found good resources to gather information and advice. I already had a fabulous list given to me three years ago by a mom of four (Thank you Kathy!) so I had a really great baseline to start. Next, I contacted my parent friends with kids who did this just last year-very helpful! And my secret weapon, an LSU Resident Assistant who has been in the dorm for the past three years. Her job is to help dorm residents thrive and survive so this was really helpful!
My updated checklist is in PDF printable form on the Free Printable's section of our website. Here is the link to that.
In addition to that list, here are a few other tips.
Read your “Living on Campus” handbook for your school. Each school will have varying rules about what they allow.
GET A MATTRESS TOPPER! The beds are uncomfortable. If your student is going to be in a humid climate, the RA suggested getting one with a case or getting a waterproof mattress cover to put between the topper and the sheets. She said that there have been cases where the mattress topper absorbed water when the rooms were not climate controlled (Holiday breaks) leaving all of the students bedding wet for a period of time.
Command hooks are great. Some schools want you to use push pins instead. (Command hooks can pull paint off the walls if not installed correctly.)
2 power strips cannot be put together. (Power strip plus extension cord) because it’s a fire hazard. Order a power strip with a long cord if you plan on raising the bed high.
Get lightbulbs that stay cool to the touch to prevent fires.
Fairy lights are a great way to spruce up a room as well as gently light up a space without bothering a roommate who is sleeping. There are even some that sync to music or sound.
A first aid kit with cold meds, allergy meds, acetaminophen and other non-prescription medicine is important to have on hand. Living with new people and new germs means more minor sickness.
Tell your son/daughter to get to know the RA. This person can be a much-needed ally if there are roommate or neighbor issues.
A carpet or rug and a bulletin board of some sort to hang photographs can make the place feel much more like home. Rugs also give friends a softer place to sit when they visit.
Get a hanging bathroom caddy if they have a hall bathroom. That allows them to hang the caddy on a hook versus sitting it on the floor where it gets wet.
Collapsible storage or under bed drawers are great for holding food or extra clothes. If your child can’t come home to swap out seasonal clothing, these containers are extremely helpful for storage.
Steamers or wrinkle release spray to help when they need to look presentable.
Furniture with storage is also great. My daughter had a stool to climb into her bed that also stored her shoes.
Your son/daughter will want a card holder that sticks to their phone, so they don’t forget their room key! Here are a couple of options.
Some schools give these out free on the first day!
It’s a great idea to pack everything in large storage bins and label the bins. Bring a dolly and/or wagon to help get the bins from the car to the dorm room.
Patience is a MUST because things move slowly on move in day.
Pack water and snacks too.
Some other advice that might be helpful.....
Please don’t get your feelings hurt when they want to unpack and “nest” on their own. Remember, this is the first time they’ve had their very own space! It doesn’t mean they don’t love you when they push you out the door. (Can someone please remind me of this when I bring my son to his dorm? I have a lump in my throat already!) Kids let your parents help a little. It makes us feel better knowing there are sheets on your bed (even if you don’t sleep on them!)
Make a deal with your son/daughter that you won’t call them every day. Instead, set up a time and day that they check in and let you in on what’s going on. I was so relieved when my daughter would text me and just say, “I’m alive.” My son will most likely not check in as often as I would like so I’ll have to be satisfied with once or twice a week. We Mama’s worry....Sigh.
Leaving my daughter at school was the hardest part for me. Plan something fun to do that night such as a nice dinner out or visit with friends (if we can!) It helps ease you into them being gone. And trust me, when they come home for the holidays and bring their mess and laundry back with them, you will be counting the days until they go back to school. HA!
Having the right dorm essentials helps your student feel as if they have a home away from home. I hope this list helps answer some questions and eases your worry a bit. You’ve done a good job getting them to this place, they will be great. Time to let them fly!
Preparing our kids to move into their college dorm and sending them off on their own can be emotional and a hard thing to do. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, give us a call so we can help you get organized and prepared at 225-205-6400.
Remember to hug those kiddos a little tighter this weekend, and have a Happy Father’s Day!
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College Dorm Evacuation Tips and Solutions
“Mom, I have 24 hours to move out my dorm. They are closing school and moving classes online. What do I do?”
Did you get this call this week? My sister did and panic set in because my niece is in school 16 hours away. Quick decisions had to be made.
I know many of you are facing the same issues so thought I would share our solutions.
“Mom, I have 24 hours to move out my dorm. They are closing school and moving classes online. What do I do?”
Did you get this call this week? My sister did and panic set in because my niece is in school 16 hours away. Quick decisions had to be made.
Does she drive home with all of her things? Does she fly home and only bring the necessities? How long will she be home before she needs to head back? Weeks, months? There is so much unknown!
I know many of you are facing the same issues so thought I would share our solutions.
My sister decided to store my niece’s non-essential items in her college town. (In my barn!). We got lucky because my niece is at LSU and all of our family lives here giving her lots of options. I know many of you do not have a barn option so you may need to get a small storage unit, or a borrowed a garage, attic or basement.
The storage unit might seem extreme, but you can rent these by the month. They typically cost around $100 a month for a climate-controlled unit.
For storing and transporting items, I recommend 56-66 quart bins. If your child is packing and moving on their own, they might want to choose smaller bins that they can easily carry, but they will need more since less will be stored in them. Plastic is a better option than cardboard because cardboard attracts bugs. If you use portable plastic drawers in the dorm, wrap them in plastic wrap (available near packing supplies in stores.) or use painters’ tape to make sure they stay closed during transport.
Here is our advice on how to pack those bins:
Pack items that will not be used at home separately from the essentials they will need. Essentials mean clothes, makeup, hair items, shoes and any perishables. (If your child is flying home, have them give perishables to a friend.) Text books, notebooks and the outrageously expensive calculator need to be easily accessed when classes begin again.
Separate what you put into the bins by use:
Linens (Bedding, curtains, towels.)
Kitchen items(coffee pots, dishes, utensils, pots, pans, plastic ware.)
Accessories and decor
Clothes and personal items that they will bring home.
If your child isn’t returning to the dorm, they might consider selling or giving the dorm items to someone that will need it. (Dorm fridge, twin xl bedding, etc.). We have been passing dorm items down from one cousin to the next. My son is next on the list and we are so appreciative to already have these items!
Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can help you in any way during this difficult time. Your student will be stressed and possibly anxious. We hope this helps give you some guidance and a little peace in the chaos.
We can be reached at info@chaosorganizing.com
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The Effects of Clutter on Our Children
Numerous studies have confirmed my theory that clutter and chaos can have negative impacts on children’s lives. Excessive visual, olfactory and tactile stimulation may cause our senses to work overtime. If our senses are already working overtime just by being in a room, then how is a child supposed to focus on what’s important?
Look around your home, what message are you sending to your children?
Do you ever walk into your home and feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, and possibly anxious? In a 2016 study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology scientists declared environments can have a negative effect on a person’s wellbeing.
That made me wonder, what effect is all of our "stuff" having on our children?
Back in my teaching days, I planned my classroom centers with specific goals in mind. Certain areas were stimulating, bright and full of manipulatives and activity (ex. a math center), but I also planned areas with empty walls, calming colors and no clutter (ex. The reading center). It was interesting to me how children sought out the calming space, sometimes more than the active space. I also noticed the difference in the behavior of the children in these areas. Children in the bright areas were active, chatty, engaged. This area also had more emotional outbursts, aggressive behavior and chaos. Children in the reading center, which was less chaotic, were found to be quieter and calmer. There were fewer outbursts of emotions and less negative behaviors in these areas. This wasn’t a true scientific experiment, yet I saw first-hand that clutter and stimulation effect children’s behavior, sometimes in a negative way.
What does your child’s homework space look like?
Numerous studies have confirmed my theory that clutter and chaos can have negative impacts on children’s lives. Excessive visual, olfactory and tactile stimulation may cause our senses to work overtime. If our senses are already working overtime just by being in a room, then how is a child supposed to focus on what’s important?
Look around your home, what message are you sending to your children?
This sentence makes one thing come to mind, the cardboard box. Why? Because how many times do we buy things for our children only to watch them be more fascinated with the cardboard box? What makes us buy these "things" is great advertising that makes us believe our kids will be better, smarter and have much more fun with "____" item when in truth, the best gift you can give them is your time and a cardboard box. Ok, maybe a few markers or crayons too. Let the fun begin.
They don’t need more THINGS. They just need YOU.
Which brings me back to the message we send our children. If you are constantly needing new things, new stimuli, new stuff to feel happy, then your children could possibly be observing and learning that behavior, instead of learning that happiness comes from within. They too may be feeling overstimulated and anxious from all of the "stuff" you love to buy them.
Help your family win their day by having a clutter free home where they can play, focus and feel stress free.
Don’t know where to start? Call us for a consultation where we can help you formulate a plan! 225-205-6400
We at Chaos Organizing wish you a happy, clutter free Valentine’s Day!
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Win the Day, Win a Moment, Win Some Peace
I am sitting here with a book to read (one of three) about business ...not the fun side of things for me but something I am learning. I flipped to the middle (hoping something would catch my attention) and the sentence I read was “How are you helping me win the day?” I had an Oprah Aha moment. That’s it! That sentence expresses EXACTLY what I’m trying to help people do. Win the day! Win a moment! Win some peace!
“How are you helping me win the day?”
Many times I am asked to tell the Chaos Organizing Story. Truthfully, it’s not that exciting. The short version: I was a teacher and while I loved being a teacher, I knew I should be doing something more. I couldn’t explain the feeling; it was just something I knew. It took me three years of praying to discover that my passion for organizing could have a purpose. I had a gift that I could share. Fast forward almost seven years later…Chaos has a team of organizers helping clients find peace in their homes, one closet at a time! Or something like that. LOL
I am sitting here with a book to read (one of three) about business ...not the fun side of things for me but something I am learning. I flipped to the middle (hoping something would catch my attention) and the sentence I read was “How are you helping me win the day?” I had an Oprah Aha moment. That’s it! That sentence expresses EXACTLY what I’m trying to help people do. Win the day! Win a moment! Win some peace!
I get it. The lack of peace that comes with having a busy career, kids, husband, pets and a home to maintain can be maddening. As I brought my 2nd child home from the hospital (2 under 2…crazy!) I felt overwhelmed at the thought of managing it all. But I had a secret weapon in my back pocket that many do not, I had the help of an organized mother and sister who had been down this path. By adopting systems they already had in place, the shift from a family of 3 to 4 went relatively smoothly. Don’t get me wrong, my house was not perfect. There were crazy amounts of toys all over the place. But my keys, purse and sunglasses had a home enabling me to get out the door for work right on time! (Win!) My laundry was not sitting in the dryer, but hung in my closet categorized by color so I could get dressed at a moments notice for any occasion. (Win!) My shoes were put away each night so I could find them in the morning. (Win!) Certain toys were put away in labeled bins allowing me to rotate the chaos of toys floating around my house. (Win!) The best part, we had routines. As a teacher, you have no idea how much peace that brought me. Our morning routine, after school routine and evening routines were posted on our refrigerator and followed most of the time. (Huge win) These routines changed each year as the kids got older but the basics were there and the kids knew them by heart.(Big win!)
So as you sit there feeling overwhelmed in the midst of your after Christmas chaos, happy that school is back in because the lack of structure was getting to you, just know that I understand and want to help you win the day, win the moment, win some peace with a little help from someone with the gift of organization just like my Mama helped me. Now go find a home for your keys.
Reference: Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller
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Nature Vs. Nurture
Welcome back, my fellow organizers! Last week, we introduced our guest blogger who is taking us on a very organized journey. Today it’s all about the kids and why THEY need an organizer!
Welcome back, my fellow organizers! Last week, we introduced our guest blogger, Amber, who is taking us on a very organized journey. Today it’s all about the kids and why THEY need an organizer!
Let’s discuss children’s bedrooms and playrooms.
How is it possible that the organization gene didn’t get passed on to at least one or all of our kids? I have an eleven-year-old daughter. Despite the fact her mother and father both have way too many organization genes that gene somehow skipped right over her. And when a child collector meets head to head with a minimalist parent sparks are sure to fly.
Stuffed animals are my sworn enemy. Most people see cute little animal toys. I see dust collectors, space invaders with eyes. So, I ask…How many stuffed animals should you allow your child to keep? How long should you keep these dust mite homes? I mean, try throwing away stuffed animals belonging to an eleven-year-old girl…you will likely have a better chance of getting your hands on the Declaration of Independence!
Like many other mothers, a small wave of anxiety comes over me every time I decide to grab a rake and go into my daughters’ room to clean. She loves little things, erasers, barbie shoes, pieces of paper, and slime, oh the slime, so much slime. I literally have a panic attack thinking about cleaning her room worried I will accidentally throw away the most important thing in her life.
This my friends are times when a professional organizer could come in to help me.
Someone to declutter and clean with my daughter. Someone more effective than her parents. An organizer can help find ways to store stuffed animals and all the little things while guiding her through the keep, donate, trash steps. Sometimes a simple suggestion to donate a toy to someone for next year’s Mardi Gras parade float is all it takes to get it out of your house.
This is the gift I want to give my daughter. This gift will give her power over her space while teaching her the value in her space. The best part?? It is achieved with the help of a professional not her mother so the eye rolling would be cut at least 50%!
This is also a great gift for a teen. Mom is off their backs and they end up with a clean space to study and work all while feeling in control of the decisions being made leading to a better chance of the space staying organized.
WIN-WIN!