What I’d Actually Pack Again as a Second-Year Mom
Let me tell you something nobody tells you before freshman move-in day: you are going to think your child needs every dorm gadget known to man.
You will be standing in the store, emotionally unstable, adding things to the cart like, “Well what if he needs this collapsible egg cooker?” Ma’am. He does not.
Ask me how I know.
Now that I’m going into this as a second-year college football mom, I can say it loud and proud: do not overpack.
Because here is what happens. You send them with half of Target, they use approximately six things, and then at the end of the year, guess who is hauling all that mess back home and shoving it into a closet?
That would be us. The mamas. The tired ones. The ones who thought we were being prepared.
My son goes to college at an older school, and the dorms are small, a little outdated, and not exactly giving luxury apartment. So less is absolutely more. Especially when you are dealing with a college football player, a tiny dorm room, sweaty gear, snacks, laundry, and whatever mysterious smell college boys bring home with them.
These are the things we actually used, loved, and would 100% pack again.
- Mesh Shower Caddy Bag
This little mesh shower caddy bag was one of our simplest wins.
I did not want some big bulky plastic thing taking up space in his room, and this worked perfectly. It is lightweight, easy to carry, dries quickly, and does not take over the room.
And listen, he still keeps all his shower stuff in it now that he is home for the summer, so clearly it passed the college boy test.
Why it worked: It is small, practical, and not one more giant thing for me to trip over on move-in day.
Product link: https://amzn.to/4ybxtvR - Folding Wagon
The folding wagon was worth every penny.
At first, I thought it would just help with move-in day. Nope. That wagon was hauling groceries, snacks, water, and all the things two college football players apparently require to survive one week.
Cases of water? Wagon.
Snack haul? Wagon.
Move-out chaos? Wagon.
Mama trying not to make twelve trips across campus? Wagon.
And the best part is that it folds up small and stores easily.
Why it worked: Because football boys eat and drink like they are preparing for battle, and I am not carrying all that by hand.
Product link: https://amzn.to/4vHWv3R - Mesh Laundry Bags with Pockets
Laundry and college boys. Bless.
These mesh laundry bags worked great because he could keep one in his locker room and one in his dorm. The pockets were perfect for detergent, dryer sheets, stain stuff, or whatever else he needed to throw in there.
I love anything that makes laundry easier, because at this stage of life, we are not asking for miracles. We are asking for socks to make it into a bag.
Why we loved it: Easy to carry, easy to store, and perfect for keeping football laundry separate from regular laundry — which is honestly a public service.
Product link: https://amzn.to/3SN9cvK - Heavy-Duty Moving Bags
These were a whole blessing.
The heavy-duty moving bags made move-in and move-out so much easier than a pile of boxes. They zip closed, hold a ton, and are easy to stack and carry.
They were also great for storing his stuff over the summer because they help keep dust and bugs out. And during the school year, they fold up small so they are not taking up precious dorm space.
Why we loved it: Way easier than boxes and much less likely to make you question all your life choices during move-out.
Product link: https://amzn.to/4veTxD3 - Folding Step Stool
This is one of those things you do not think about until you need it.
In a small dorm room, half the storage is usually up high because there is nowhere else to put anything. Above the closet, above the bed, shoved onto some awkward shelf — wherever it fits, apparently.
The folding step stool helped him reach higher storage and also made getting to the top bunk easier.
Why we loved it: It folds flat, stores easily, and keeps your child from climbing on furniture like a raccoon.
Product link: https://amzn.to/4fj8uiA - Command Hooks and Alien Tape
Command hooks are a dorm room must-have because dorm walls are not here for your decorating dreams.
You cannot permanently attach anything, and in older dorms, almost nothing wants to stick. Those concrete walls will humble you real fast.
Command hooks helped, and Alien Tape was great when we needed a little extra hold.
Why we loved it: Because dorm walls are stubborn, and you still need a place to hang towels, hats, bags, keys, and all the random boy things.
Command Hooks: https://amzn.to/4vgQIkO
Alien Tape: https://amzn.to/4p6q38W - Dorm Air Purifier
Listen. Old dorm building. Football gear. Cleats. Laundry. Two athletes. Small room.
You do the math.
A dorm air purifier is not optional in my opinion. Older dorms can get musty, and when you add sweaty workout clothes and football gear into the mix, you are going to want all the help you can get.
Why we loved it: Because I love my son, but I also have a nose.
Product link: https://amzn.to/44MjyyC - Storage Totes with Lids
Storage totes with lids were a big yes for us.
Older buildings can sometimes mean pests, and I was not about to have snacks sitting out like we were hosting a rodent buffet.
His room had space above the closet, so they were able to store snacks up high and sealed away. These also worked great for off-season clothes and extra stuff he did not need every day.
Why we loved it: Keeps snacks secure, keeps clutter contained, and makes use of those weird little dorm storage spaces.
Product link: https://amzn.to/4gheRUD - Small Coffee Pot
Because college.
Between early workouts, late nights, studying, practice, and life in general, a small coffee pot just makes sense.
Of course, check the dorm rules first, because every school has their own list of what is allowed and what will get you side-eyed by housing.
Why we loved it: Easy coffee without having to leave the dorm or spend money every single day.
Product link: https://amzn.to/4azADPI - Water Dispenser
This one may not be allowed everywhere, so definitely check first, but for us it was so helpful.
The water on campus was not the best, and the boys did not want to trek across campus every time they needed to fill up. They could grab a few 5-gallon jugs, haul them in with the wagon, and swap them out when needed.
And with college athletes, hydration is not a suggestion. Those boys go through water like nobody’s business.
Why we loved it: Convenient, practical, and way easier than constantly buying bottled water or walking across campus to refill.
Product link: https://amzn.to/4v8QdJp - Cordless Vacuum
A small cordless vacuum was perfect for quick cleanups.
Dorm rooms get dirty fast, especially with athletes coming in and out with shoes, bags, snacks, and whatever else is living on the bottom of their cleats.
Is he going to vacuum daily? Absolutely not.
Is he more likely to use this than a big vacuum or broom? Yes, and that is the victory we are claiming.
Why we loved it: Small, easy to store, and simple enough that he might actually use it.
Product Link: https://amzn.to/3QRq0RO
What I Would Not Overpack Again
After freshman year, I learned that a lot of the cute dorm stuff is just extra stuff we end up dealing with later.
I would not overdo decorations, unnecessary organizers, too many kitchen gadgets, extra bedding, bulky furniture, or anything that requires a level of maintenance a college boy is simply not going to give.
We are not trying to create a Pinterest dorm room here.
We are trying to answer the important questions:
Can he sleep?
Can he shower?
Can he do laundry?
Can he keep snacks away from critters?
Can the room smell less like a locker room?
That is the bar, and honestly, that is plenty.
Final Thoughts from a Second-Year College Football Mom
If you are packing for your college athlete, keep it simple, sister.
They need things that help them stay clean, somewhat organized, fed, hydrated, and moved in without taking over the entire room. Small dorms do not have space for clutter, and most college boys are not going to use half the extras we think they need.
These are the items we would absolutely pack again after surviving year one.
Less really is more.
Especially when you are the one hauling it all back home in May, sweating through your cute move-out outfit and wondering why you ever bought a decorative throw pillow for a football player.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Keeping Up with the Joneses | Homeschool, Homemade & Barely Keeping Up 