As someone who just took their freshman to college, I can weigh in. My child was the one who learned a lot from TikTok. She chose her own bedding, ordered her own decorative stuff with her own money. I bought her 2 organizers that she liked. We then hit up the free giveaway on campus, and
grabbed an old rug, 2 back rest pillows, 2 soft fabric organizers, a plastic organizer, a makeup mirror and a few other things. I helped her shlep stuff to her room because there was no elevator to the second floor and it was over 101° so she needed help. So her experience was a mix of
Parental involvement and her own choices. She brought decorations from home from her own room. But I went to college with a suitcase and bedding and an iron.