Category Archives: dorm life

Smartish Tech Products Every College Student Needs

smartish tech products

If there is one thing I learned about sending kids off to college, it’s that the little things can become surprisingly big problems. A missing charging cable, a phone that falls between the bed and the wall or trying to carry a phone while juggling a backpack, coffee, keys, and everything else can quickly become frustrating.

That’s why I like finding products that solve an actual problem rather than simply adding another gadget to a college student’s already-overstuffed dorm room.

Smartish is one of those brands. Their products are designed around everyday annoyances, and three that caught my attention are the Cable Wrangler, Crown Joule, and the Case Slinger Crossbody Sling. These are exactly the kinds of inexpensive accessories I would consider adding to a college packing list.

Continue reading Smartish Tech Products Every College Student Needs

Small Dorm Room Ideas: Make a Shared Room Feel Like Home

dorm room

College move-in season brings plenty of excitement—but making a small dorm room feel comfortable, functional, and personal can be a challenge.This is especially true when sharing space with a roommate. Between two beds, desks, wardrobes, and everything else needed for the school year, there may not seem to be much room left for privacy or personality.

The good news: Creating a space that feels functional and personal does not require expensive furniture or permanent changes. With a little planning, students can establish healthy boundaries, create dedicated zones, and make even the smallest shared room feel more like home.

Continue reading Small Dorm Room Ideas: Make a Shared Room Feel Like Home

BunkTrunk Review: The Dorm Storage Solution Every College Parent Should Consider

bunktrunk review

Before you know it, move-in day will be here. As you and your student are packing for college, you’ll be making dozens of decisions about what should go and what should stay home. One question every parent should ask is: How will my student keep their valuables safe?

The reality is that dorm rooms aren’t nearly as secure as we’d like to believe. Even though most residence halls require key cards and dorm room doors have locks, students often prop doors open, let friends follow them inside, or forget to lock up when they run to class or grab dinner.

You can remind your student to be careful, but you can’t control everyone else on the floor, including their roommate.

Laptops, tablets, phones, headphones, AirPods, expensive textbooks, prescription medications, jewelry, and even wallets can disappear in just a few minutes if they’re left unattended. As parents, that’s one less thing we want our students worrying about while they’re adjusting to college life.

That’s why I was so impressed when I learned about the BunkTrunk.

Continue reading BunkTrunk Review: The Dorm Storage Solution Every College Parent Should Consider

Dorm Shopping for College: A Parent’s Complete Guide

dorm shopping

The summer before college is filled with excitement, anticipation, and plenty of preparation. One of the biggest tasks for parents and students is shopping for dorm room essentials. While social media may convince you that every student needs a perfectly curated dorm room, successful dorm shopping is really about balancing comfort, functionality, and budget.

Before you start filling your online cart, here are some tips to help make dorm shopping easier and less stressful.

Continue reading Dorm Shopping for College: A Parent’s Complete Guide

A Parent’s Guide to Starting College

starting college

Watching your child leave for college brings a mix of pride and worry, which is completely natural as a parent. 

It is a significant shift for everyone involved, from you as parents, your child who is leaving, and any other children you have at home. 

Daily routines change. Conversations become less frequent. You want to support your child but also help them become independent. 

Think of it like teaching your child to drive. At some point, they steer on their own. With precise planning and communication, this transition can be easier for both of you.

Below is a parent’s guide to starting college:

Continue reading A Parent’s Guide to Starting College

Where Should Your Student Live During College?

live during college

Helping your child choose where to stash their ramen, laundry, and existential dread is a rite of passage in higher education. Parents fret over safety, students fantasize about freedom, and everyone worries about who is going to take out the trash. Where should your student live during college? Should they live on campus, off campus, or start a commune in the library basement? Let’s take a look at the perfect place for your college kid to lay their head.

Continue reading Where Should Your Student Live During College?

College Move-In Day: A Parent’s Guide

college move-in day
Photo by sakana on Unsplash

College move-in day is a significant milestone for both parents and students. It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, but it can also be a source of stress and anxiety. With proper planning and preparation, however, you can make this transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you and your student get ready for the big day.

Continue reading College Move-In Day: A Parent’s Guide

What is a Specialty Dorm?

specialty dorm

Just about everyone has heard of dorms specifically for entering freshmen. But did you know that you can also request a specialty dorm? Most colleges have designated dorms to meet the needs of a diverse student population. If you have a preference regarding your living accommodations on campus, ask about these dorms on your college visit and upon accepting an offer of admission.

Specialty dorms fall into three categories: academic housing, lifestyle housing, and living-learning communities.

Continue reading What is a Specialty Dorm?

Adding Protein to Your Student’s Meal Plan

meal plan

Leaving home for college means picking up all sorts of life skills. You’re going to have to learn to fend for yourself, picking up chores and routines to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle. This can vary from household chores to budgeting and more. But one area that you are going to have a big learning curve with is your diet.

Most of us are used to being in family settings where one person creates meals to cater to everyone’s needs. Now, you will be eating the campus meal plan or doing meal planning, prepping and cooking for yourself – most likely in single person portions. Managing a healthy and balanced diet requires focus on a number of areas, but for now, let’s focus on protein. Here’s everything you need to know about getting enough protein into your diet, as well as some tips and tricks on how to manage it!

Continue reading Adding Protein to Your Student’s Meal Plan

6 Things Your Student Needs in College

student

Are you in the process of preparing your student for year one of college? This is an exacting time but it’s also important to ensure that you do take the right steps here. That way, you can guarantee that your student thrives and is able to maximize their potential during this critical first year. 

Continue reading 6 Things Your Student Needs in College