<p>Now that the decision making is behind us, my thougths are racing ahead to getting my D settled at school. My D will be attending CU Boulder, we live in Long Island, NY, too far for a car trip for move-in day.</p>
<p>Any advice on shipping her belongings? Luggage isn't cheap these days on most airlines, and there are things I would not trust in checked bags and can't take on board, like all her reed making knives/tools. </p>
<p>Are there things you learned were easier to buy for the dorm room on-site rather than send from home? Also, how far in advance were you booking flights home for holidays? Did you arrange for storage at a local facility for the summer?</p>
<p>Thanks for any tips/suggestions.</p>
<p>We drove our son from Michigan to Texas, doable in two days. I think if it hadn’t been for the two trombones, keyboard, and the heavy-duty non-foldable music stand that he insisted on taking instead of a wire stand, it would have been tempting to go by air! Besides the aforementioned, all he really needed were his clothes and laptop. There were multiple Walmarts and a couple Target’s near campus, and you could get everything else (linens, storage cubicles, mini-refrigerater, microwave, dishes, printer) once there. In fact I ended up exchanging a laundry basket I had bought at home for one that fit the shelf in his dorm closet.</p>
<p>We’re going to drive back and pick him up later this month, but perhaps later in his college career he’ll have a car and be able to bring himself home or he can rent storage space, or find a friend who’ll be willing to store stuff for him over the summer. </p>
<p>Airline flights home at Thanksgiving, Xmas and spring break…I think we booked them about a month in advance, but perhaps may have gotten better prices/more choice of flights if we had booked sooner.</p>
<p>Does Southwest fly to Denver? If so - two bags free! </p>
<p>We ordered as much as possible online with free delivery - amazon, staples etc. My son wanted composition equipment - keyboard, subwoofer, speakers - all purchased online with free shipping. Lots of folks use the Bed Bath and Beyond option of going into a local store, picking things out - and then they’re waiting to be picked up in the town nearest your college. We shipped a box ahead of time with sheets and towels from home, etc., rather than buy new ones. But sometimes the shipping costs more than buying online!</p>
<p>As for the summer - he shares a storage unit with friends - which they now keep all year round as they have so much equipment for their ensemble. It’s extremely reasonable - as in about $30 for his share for the summer. I guess he’ll put the mini-fridge he bought this year in there, as well.</p>
<p>Boulder is sure to have Zip-Car which your daughter can use to ferry stuff around, and for shopping trips.</p>
<p>As for the reed making tools - that’s something others will need to address. I don’t know the ins and outs of airlines and knives. We do always use a freight service such as FedEx with tracking and insurance when sending something valuable.</p>
<p>As for booking flights - sign up for the airline email notifications so you hear about sales. Sometimes they’re one day only kind of things. For us the cheapest prices usually are around 6 weeks to 2 months before the date. But you’ve got to be sure they don’t have a final on the day you pick! Or a special concert you haven’t heard about…</p>
<p>DC to Houston. We went SW. Boxed her keyboard to fit as checked luggage. 3 of us meant 6 free bags since DH and I only used roll aboard and carry on. Used BB&B for all dorm stuff. Their scan at home and pick up at school was the best deal. I think I would ship reed stuff after you get back home if she can go a week without it. That way address and package receipt will be smoother.</p>
<p>If you have SW I have found the sweet spot around 2-3 months in advance. But if the price goes down you can rebook and save the credit for another trip so no real loss.</p>
<p>Used BB & B for shop at home pick up in city (Seattle to DC). We picked up more when we arrived. Collegeboxes has been a godsend! They pick up at the dorm, store over summer, and deliver back to new dorm in fall.</p>
<p>SW is best for bags but we have Delta Skymiles credit card which works well too for free bags. Make sure you get a frequent flyer number for D on which ever airline you find works best. S just took a flight to LA for free. I find 1-2 month window is best prices.</p>
<p>At GW - they post the finals schedule by end of Sept so we know exactly when finals end based on D’s schedule.</p>
<p>Bed, Bath and Beyond, Wal Mart and Target all allow you to buy online or in your local store and pick it up at the store nearest school. If you’re going along to move-in and need to rent a car while there, make sure that you make your reservation early because they tend to be scarce. If anyone is planning to rely on zip car, make sure to check the regulations in the area, because it can vary from 18+ to 21+; my D will be a senior but has always been too young to make use of the zip cars near her!
As for booking flights home, you can look at the posted schedules, but you still may not know when your S’s or D’s exams will be (especially if it’s a conservatory or school of music connected to a uni where other classes are taken), because while it’s possible to have the last exam on the very last day of school, it’s just as likely that all of their tests could be finished days or even a week before the final day. If you can, wait until their schedule is set during the first week of school and hope that the profs can tell them when the exam dates are.
Wishing everyone the best this year!!</p>