or some students, the start of the newschool year signals a transition from living in their family hometo living on their own at college.

Without the right accommodations, a studentcould be left feeling just as disorganized as Alice in Wonderlandor as homesick as Dorothy in Oz. But many home d65533;corretailers are making living in dorms easier and more stylish withmerchandise geared toward making the most of what little space thedorm-dweller has.

This year’s crop of incoming dorm residentsmoved in Thursday starting at 9:00 a.m. &- bearing heavy boxesand bags labeled in the bold logos from these stores like Target,Linens ‘N Things and Bed Bath and Beyond.

Each double dorm room is furnished with justthe basics – an extra-long twin bed, a desk, a chair, two shelvesand two cabinets, a closet, dresser, bulletin board and amirror.

It is up to the students to decide what theywill bring with them to ease their transition from their bedroom totheir dorm room.

Students bring mostly things from home,especially their alarm clocks, but many also stock up on newthings.

Home stores are using advertising campaignsto target parents who want to supply their children with comfortand students who want to have rooms with flare. Dubbed with theadvertising campaign name “Destination Dorm: Back-to-school withstyle and attitude,”

Linens ‘N Things is a one-stop shop for thecollege dorm resident. The store sells a variety of twin set sheets(fitted, flat, and pillowcase) for no more than $14.99. Also onsale are items like a nine-pair shoe rack for $9.99. For music andmovie-lovers, the media Compact Disc or Digital Video Disc tower,capable of holding 100 DVDs, 50 videotapes or 200 CDs, can be yoursfor $19.99. The store also has a laundry bag that can hold twoloads of laundry for $8.99.

Even though mom is no longer doing yourlaundry, some dorm residents’ moms still make sure they have littletouches that make the dorm rooms feel more like home. JacquieLaskey bought her son, first-time freshman Dennis Laskey, a fittedfoam pad from Linens ‘N Things to put underneath his mattress padto make the dorm’s bed more comfortable. Laskey also washed herson’s new sheets so that they would smell like home, shesaid.

“Linens ‘N Things had a huge sale, they werevery prepared for what you might need in a dorm room,” Laskeysaid.

Some students came ready with two sets ofsheets, towels, and some with their own blender; but others broughtwith them extra dorm furnishings to organize, and secure, theirbelongings.

First-time freshman Kristin Hill decided froma previous visit to Sacramento State’s residence halls that sheneeded to bring extra drawers and a locker for her valuables. OnThursday, Hill brought her two stacker drawers and a Contico deluxewheeled trunk with a lock and key that she purchased from Linens ‘NThings on sale.

“I thought I would need it to put valuablestuff in like my (laptop) computer for when I go home for theweekend,” Hill said.

Other residents used their keen nose for abargain and shopped around to stores until they found the most bangfor their buck.

Residents like Sharee Burgess, a second yearresident, shopped around until she found the best deal on bedsheets at K-Mart. She also got a laundry bag that holds three loadsof laundry at Target for $10.

To other residents, their belongings are notas important to their college experience. Adam Traham, a first-timefreshman who has moved 22 times, says the most important thing isto be comfortable where you are and to get along with yourroommate. As long as Traham has his music, he said, he’sfine.

Other good buys for your room include thePhillips Dual-alarm Clock/Radio with six alarm sounds and headphonejack (Wal-Mart, $19.43), the Sterilite mini three-drawer rollingcart (Wal-Mart, $9.63), three-drawer mini desktop chests (Bed,Bath, and Beyond, $9.99), Hamilton Beach Blendmaster with 10speeds, a 40-ounce capacity and 350 watt motor (Target, $19.99), atwo-load pop-up hamper by Martha Stewart Everyday (K-Mart, $6.99)and a gooseneck desk lamp with brushed steel finish (Target,$9.99).