I remember my mom starting to stockpile stuff away when she found good deals, when I was in my senior year of HS. She filled like three Rubbermaid tubs with full listings of contents and I was pretty much set for anything household or hygiene for the first year of my college.
Honestly I would avoid stockpiling unless you can keep it at home for them to restock on visits home. Dorm rooms are tiny shared spaces. My best tip is to send only necessities. DD took 2 towel sets but only one sheet set. She took them off to wash and then immediately put them back on. She only had room for a small hamper so extra sheets took up precious space rather dirty or clean.
I would spend on a really good mattress topper as the beds were very uncomfortable without. DD also loved having lots of pillows on the bed as it was often used as a sofa so pillows to lean on were helpful.
I would check the schools list of allowed/disallowed. My nephew is headed to a Uni this fall that has a fridge and microwave in every room and that is the only one allowed. I would also recommend checking with the roommate. Space is so limited that 2 of each might not be a good use of limited space or even possible.
DD did have a rug on the tile floor. I would buy the minimum now and then fill in after move in. DD loved and used command hooks but had no need for fans or extra lamps. Her dorm had AC and plenty of light including desk lamps. Over the door organizers are great but DD couldn't use them- the room door wouldn't close with one on it and the closets had sliding pocket doors. They can also be good hung on the end of a raised bed if they will fit.
Amazon Prime was my friend Freshman year and beyond.
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