THE SKINNY \ On the stuff you need

Bed, Bath & Beyond: One of the best-designed Web sites, it has six categories by function (eat, sleep, study, etc.). “Survival 101” gives tips. There are also decorating ideas, a checklist of what you will need and a locater for the store nearest your school. BBB offers “pack and hold,” a feature that allows you to shop online, place your order and have it shipped to a store near your dorm. See bedbathandbeyond.com.

Container Store: Offers a free booklet “Dorm: Give Yourself Some Space” in stores and online at containerstore.com. The booklet includes examples of theme rooms, gives suggestions for the six areas of organization, provides a list of must-haves and a checklist of what’s needed in a dorm room. The company’s college organization experts can help you create a customized organizational plan. Call (888) 266-8246 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

JCPenney: The “Dorm Life” section, which is also on Facebook, provides dorm solutions, including a checklist, discovering your personal style, and how to get the most out of small spaces. You can register online so your gifts and purchases can be shipped to a store near your school. See jcp.com and search for “dorm.”