Congrats, high school graduate! No more AP or IB exams, SATs and/or ACTs, bus rides, high school drama (hopefully), joining clubs for the sake of resume padding or awkward dances. Instead, you can look forward to your first year of college and whether or not it will include the typical freshman experiences. There is one thing every non-commuter freshman does experience: dorm shopping. Keep in mind, however, that you most likely won’t complete dorm shopping before moving in, no matter how much you or your parents try. There will always be unexpected additions, and making those last-minute runs throughout your first few weeks is inevitable. On the other hand, you will most likely buy many things for your dorm that you’ll never use. No matter what, these five stores offer services that may ease at least some of you and your parents’ worries about moving off to college. •Bed Bath & Beyond Why: Not only does the store provide you a complimentary college checklist, but Bed Bath & Beyond also makes it almost entirely too easy for out-of-state students to purchase and pick up everything they need.

Of course, you do not have to be an out-of-state student to take advantage of Bed Bath & Beyond’s helpful services. You can a) shop at your local store with a handheld gift registry scanner and pick up the items near your school, b) shop at the store near your school — don’t forget to ask for the scanner — or c) shop online and choose the date you want it shipped for a limited time until August 30.mattress cover sale toronto And no need to print out a college checklist. air mattress repair kit feltWhen you register your scanner you will be given the store’s own college checklist, including everything from twin extra-long sheets to desk lamps to dorm-appropriate cookware, said Bed Bath & Beyond’s public relations manager Jessica Joyce.double mattress for sale stoke on trent

You can also pick up a store-locator map while you’re there to know how to get to a store closest to your campus for those unexpected necessities. Finally, you will be given a list of your college’s specific dorm requirements. If you’re lucky, you may just be able to buy and bring a coffee maker. ikea foam mattress reviews ukYou may also want to print out or bring in mailed coupons — often for 20% off. buy mattress in bangkok(The store is known for handing them out.) king mattress sale vancouverTo receive the coupons, sign up for emails. Good for: Sheets, pillows, mattress pads, bedding accessories, bath towels, laundry, air purifiers/humidifiers Why: Every mother loves containers, and now you will too.

Store everything you need in your dorm with The Container Store’s wide range of storage and organizational necessities. Like Bed Bath & Beyond, The Container Store offers a free college checklist. Unlike its competitor, the store’s experts provide tips on maximizing dorm space with The Dorm Room Basic Six, finding your perfect backpack, surviving college and more. How could you not fall in love with The Container Store? Good for: Shower caddies, laundry hampers, chairs, luggage and, of course, containers for virtually everything from food to under-the-bed storage Why: Barnes & Noble exists on or near almost every college campus and provides unexpectedly great dorm furnishings and general school supplies. However, contrary to popular belief, the bookstore should be used as a last resort for books. , , there is no reason you should pay full price for your textbooks. Good for: Office supplies, backpacks, laptop cases, hangers, storage containers, bed risers Why: If a Bed Bath & Beyond store isn’t close enough to campus for your last-minute purchases, Ikea is a close alternative, providing one of the best shopping experiences with ready-to-assemble furniture in convincing showrooms and, in most stores, restaurants serving traditional Swedish food.

Good for: Chairs, rugs, sheets, mattress pads, towels, bookshelves Why: For all your other needs, or if you prefer cheaper alternatives, these are your next best bets. From TVs and other electronics to cleaning supplies, these retail giants help fill the cracks that the other four stores left behind. Target also offers the top 100 back-to-college items. Good for: Everything else, including bathroom, kitchen and office supplies, electronics, food Start shopping soon to avoid the hectic lines come August and early September. And check out Dormify’s guide to maneuver a no-fuss shopping trip with your parents. Good luck, freshmen, and enjoy your summer before your next, exciting chapter. Any other must-visit stores? Leave a comment below and tell us why. Sonia Su is a Summer 2012 USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent. Learn more about her here. Follow her on Twitter at @SoniaSu_Although some parents might pay the full price of college tuition and some students might opt for high-cost, luxury student housing, the desire to save money on dorm room basics hasn’t changed much over the years.

Students still need all the basics for living away from home for the first time, including affordable, quality items that hold up since Mom and Dad won’t be there to replace something that breaks. Building a dorm essentials shopping list is a balancing act. You have to choose the right items, find the right mix of quality and value, and then blend in a touch of affordable style. ,”  — for ideas on how to outfit a dorm room for less at retailers like IKEA, Target and Walmart. Related: America’s 10 Best and Worst Retailers for Summer Savings Probably the smartest way to sort out the must-haves from the wish-list items is to talk with a recent resident of the dorm or student housing where you — or your child — will be moving into. Storage, furniture and lighting setups vary considerably among colleges and even dorms at the same college. You’ll be frustrated if you arrive to find a room with nowhere to sit after you’ve blown your whole budget on cute storage bins.

Essentials include bedding — don’t forget the mattress pad — towels, a laundry basket that’s sturdy and light enough to haul to the laundry area and a shower tote if showers are down the hall. You won’t be sorry to pack a few basic dishes, glasses and utensils as well. And of course, you’ll need storage bins or crates for stashing miscellaneous items. Even if you’re on a tight budget, don’t neglect items with a little style. There might not be room for many extras, so choose things with a bit of personality. IKEA and Target are better sources in this regard because their merchandise offers a fresher design aesthetic that appeals to college students, said Demer. Walmart, on the other hand, tends to have more basic and plain items. Demer recommends heading to Walmart for dorm room appliances, wastebaskets and plastic storage. While Target offers more stylish storage choices, you’ll find that there is usually more options to choose from at Walmart. “Walmart, in general, has better deals on supplies, and you can’t find college furniture for less anywhere else,” Sakraida said.

And, you can avoid shipping costs for online orders of less than $35 by taking advantage of in-store pickup for many items. Items to avoid purchasing at Walmart include bedding, bookshelves and towels. Demer calls their quality “way below Target and IKEA.” The best items to buy at IKEA, Demer said, are tables and chairs, bookshelves, rugs and dishes. Look for solid wood construction in furniture, and avoid particle board in items like the Malm bed at the store. IKEA is also a great place to pick up all manner of storage solutions, said Sakraida, although the store’s online shopping can be less convenient. And sometimes, IKEA will charge a hefty delivery fee. Finally, Demer recommended avoiding bedding from IKEA. “The low thread count and cotton/poly blend is downright itchy,” she said. Turn to Target for accessories, organization, baskets, bedding, towels and caddies, Demer said. She recommended avoiding buying dishes at Target simply because they’re often cheaper at IKEA.

Bedding is always a good buy at Target. “Target is great for unified sets that will be cheap but trendy and stylish,” said Sakraida. “Look for ‘bed in a bag’ sets, as well as desk sets and room accessories. You’ll likely find them in dynamic prints and colors.” Tap into this little-known secret about shopping at Target online from Sakraida: “Target has a very low minimum purchase for free shipping; you only need to spend $25 to get free shipping.” Read: 23 Savings Hacks for Target The best buys on dorm room essentials won’t be available until later in August, Sakraida advised. “Both Walmart and Target push the back-to-school season pretty heavily, which means that all of their promotions are likely to get stronger in mid- to late August,” she said. You can save even more during Labor Day weekend sales when stores start putting school items on clearance. IKEA seems to have fewer back-to-school promotions, Sakraida noted, but you should still keep an eye out for potential Labor Day weekend specials at the retailer.

Other ways to save at IKEA, Target and Walmart include: Demer encourages shoppers to look beyond Target, IKEA and Walmart to snag the best deals on dorm essentials. “Bed Bath & Beyond might be a better competitor, in my opinion,” she said. By signing up for its email list, you can get 20 percent off a single item in-store. Plus, Bed Bath & Beyond often has plenty of clearance items that can be used in dorm rooms. Other ideas from Demer for saving money on dorm basics include: Before buying all of the items that you might think a typical college student needs, wait and see what’s already in the dorm and what’s not allowed. Don’t commit to electronics, such as TVs, DVD players or stereos, until you see what the roommate might bring. The same goes for a desk lamp; you’ll almost certainly need one, but you won’t know if you’ll have room for something stylish or if you’ll need something that clips onto a desk or shelf. Also, a mini-fridge is a dorm classic, but check dorm regulations before buying a toaster oven, microwave or coffee maker.

“In general, it’s difficult to wait, but you might be better off saving purchases — like extra storage options, lighting, seating, etc. — for after you and your student arrive at school, to make sure you don’t end up buying things that are unnecessary or won’t fit,” said Sakraida . Demer’s “Do Not Buy” list includes multiple sheet sets (“Come on, your bed doesn’t mind being naked while you do your laundry”), a drying rack (“Who has space? Put it on a hanger!”) and a futon (“Most dorms don’t have room for a bed plus futon, and you can’t put a futon on risers”). And what about the ubiquitous beanbag chair that’s been a dorm room must-have for decades now? Sakraida takes a philosophical view: “Bean bag chairs are generally very cheap at Walmart,” she said, “so they aren’t a major expenditure if you decide to get them.” Keep reading: 10 Things No One Tells You About the Cost of College How to Save on Dorm Room Essentials at IKEA, Target and Walmart

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