See — First things first, when you visit the campus, arrange for a tour of the residence hall. Bring a camera and snap a few shots of your future home so that you can limit yourself to items that will fit your space constraints. You don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on a couch if it won’t fit through the door!

Ask — Call the Student Life office for information about recommended items, existing storage and prohibited items.

Talk — Contact your future roommate. The school should provide you with a phone number or e-mail address, and not only will it help to get to know who will be sharing your sink, you need to go over some important details. Discuss who is going to bring the microwave and who is going to bring the TV. Make sure that you both aren’t packing the same things so that you can share. Plus, if he splurges for the flat-screen, you can offer to get the fridge!

This would also be a good time to talk about rules of the room. For example, you will probably have a shared bathroom and sink if not more, and you don’t want to be stuck cleaning it every time it starts growing mold. Talk to your roommate about sharing the responsibilities around the room. Also, the school might have put you with someone from a family that shares clothes. If you don’t want to share your favorite sweater or jeans, then make that clear from the beginning.

Prioritize — Fill in your wants and needs lists and prioritize both, so your budget is spent on the basics first. Decide what items you already have and do not need to buy.

Research — If possible, ask other students what has worked for them. Compare sizes and brands. Browse for various storage options. Don’t buy in a rush only to find out later that something else would have been better or cheaper. Use your measurement list, photos or floor plan to help determine what will fit. Find out how far your dorm room is from the campus buildings and where your classes will be. Decide if you should bring a bike or if a car is necessary. Get in touch with some older students for information on the layout of the campus and how most students get around.

Decorating 101: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck
In college, your dorm room is one of your tickets to instant popularity, but you don’t have to spend the big bucks to make it look like you did. Make your room the cool hangout by following our budget decorating tips.

1. Ask about what comes standard in rooms in the dorm you’re living in. Some rooms in some complexes have the bare minimum, but others on campus come with trash cans, bulletin boards, mirrors and even major appliances like refrigerators and microwaves. Make this all-important first call before you drop some serious cash on big-ticket items you may not even need.

2. Save money on the essentials. Enlist dad on a summer project to build a loft bed that will save you some much needed space. Look through your campus’ student classifieds for secondhand furniture, appliances and other dorm room needs. As older students move into apartments or houses, they often get rid of things they had in their dorm. Also, save money by shopping at discount stores like the Salvation Army, flea markets, thrift stores or online bargain shopping sites.

3. Keep shopping simple. Take our checklist with you to the store and you will have everything you need. Also, check with stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond for a bed-in-a-bag or other amenities designed just for college students. Also check back-to-school sales and the large selection of extra-long bedding, which most college dorms require.

4. Create a style. Make and paint your own picture frames. Shop for posters of your favorite movies or paintings that will save you money on framed wall art. Ask if you can take some movie store extras or visit craft stores and online poster sites such as Allposters.com. Buy a bulletin board and criss-cross it with ribbons for a place to tuck those photos with new friends.

5. Keep it comfortable. Some extra comforts will take away the institutional feel of your dorm room. Shop for a cheap area rug in your color scheme and a mattress pad for that hard-as-a-rock bed. If you have some extra room, find some extra bean bags or comfy chairs for game nights with your friends.

6. Don’t forget the fun. Make friends easily with a Frisbee, basketball, football or your sport of choice. Bring the equipment and they will come! If you’re not into sports, bring your favorite movies, board games or an Xbox, Nintendo Wii, whatever!

Essentials Checklist

• Twin-size bedding (most college beds are extra-long)
• Comfortable mattress pad
• Pillows
• Bed risers
• Hand towels, bath towels, washcloths, bathrobe
• Flip-flops (going barefoot in a communal shower is a no-no)
• Toiletries, shower caddy
• First-aid kit (don’t forget the cold medicine)
• Weather-appropriate clothes
• Hangers
• Stackable boxes, shelves, drawers, closet organizer
• Desk lamp
• Desk organizers
• Calculator
• Stamps, envelopes
• Address book
• Sticky notes, index cards
• Stapler
• Highlighters, pens, pencils
• Calendar (one for the wall, on for your backpack)
• School supplies
• Laundry soap, stain remover, fabric softener
• Laundry bag/basket
• Iron
• Dish soap, hand soap
• Trash can & bags
• Paper towels
• Cleaning supplies
• Microwave-safe dishes
• Coffee maker
• Cups, mugs
• Eating utensils, can opener, chip clips
• Battery-operated alarm clock
• 3M strips (or sticky tack, but the strips work best)
• Removable wall hooks
• Batteries, duct tape, tools
• Surge protector, extension cords, power strips
• Umbrella
• Fan
• Backpack, book bag
• Full-length mirror
• Wall decorations, posters, picture frames
• Message board for your door
• Computer and printer
• DVDs, games, sporting equipment
• Camera
• TV, DVD player
• Phone charger
• Extra-long TV cable cord
• Refrigerator, microwave
• MP3 player, headphones
• Credit card or ATM card