<p>Yes, Target stores on move-in days in college towns are extremely busy, and may run out of stuff. We stopped in a Target on our way into town (15 minutes away) and it was low stress. Some stores allow you to pre-order stuff, and they have it waiting for you in a box when you arrive at the store.</p>
<p>We bought two mattress pads. Together they made the bed’s vinyl ‘mattress’ comfy, and only the top one needed laundering. This was easier and cheaper than getting a single super padded pad.</p>
<p>We ended up getting a humidifier once winter nose bleeds became an issue.</p>
<p>We’ve used Rubbermaid totes for move in day, packed clothing in rolling suitcases. They stack easily in the van, easy to carry or load on a cart and we can take them home when the kids are done unpacking. They kept one tote to keep laundry detergent, extra soap, and just stuff in and used it as a coffee table (lofted beds with a futon under them). Our oldest son’s school had those huge laundry carts for kids to use moving in-WONDERFUL. We got pretty much everything but the futon in ONE LOAD. It was a wait for the elevator but so much easier.</p>
<p>Our next 2 will have early move in’s (sports/band) so we plan to bring as little as possible with us and buy most of it there.</p>
<p>Bring LONG, heavy duty extension cords and a couple power strips. Get the Ethernet cords in 2 sizes–6 foot and LONG. Both of the kids so far have had plug in’s on one side of the room only (freshman dorms anyway). If they end up on the side with the outlet, the 6 foot one is fine but otherwise they need the longer one. You will use both over the years.</p>
<p>Set up the computer right away. Both schools we’ve done this with require you to download their virus software before you can access their internet so this can be downloading while you unpack. They also both had free downloads for Word, Excel, etc. and since that rarely comes with computers, it’s a free way to get access for those. Those can also download while you are unpacking. I also made the kids’ beds right away. If you get nothing else done, do that so they can get a good night’s sleep.</p>
<p>We got a 2" “Memory foam” topper for the kids. It was a knock off brand from Overstock ($35 I think). That with a nice cotton mattress pad and the beds were very comfortable the kids said.</p>
<p>As for bringing siblings, IF they will be helpful bring them. If not, leave them at home. There were some families that brought young siblings (5, 6, 7 or so years old) and the kids did nothing but whine or run up and down the halls because the parents were too busy moving in. They got in everyone else’s way. Not a good thing.</p>
<p>If your student takes a tv, set that up as soon as you get the computer going. We left the tv for last after getting everything else set up and stored away. Only then DH discover that the cable connection line in S2’s room was mangeled. By this point, it was dinner time. We werehungry/ exhausted and ready to get out of the dorm (and S2 was ready for us to leave too) but had to go to Lowes, find the cable and then take it back and install it in S2’s dorm room…just a big aggravation at the end of an tiring day.</p>
<p>As nj2011mom said in post #27: Anything that is on hangers can/should stay on the hangers. Just pull a large bag over the top … saves a ton of time on both ends of the move!</p>
<p>^^we did that…left all the shirts on hangers and just piled them in the back of the truck. carried them in the dorm and into the closet. So easy. </p>
<p>Also if you take a futon, it’s better to wait and put it together once you get in the dorm room.</p>
<p>Great tips! If you are attending a school in the southeast, carry the $1 disposable ponchos. Nothing like getting caught in the afternoon thundershowers moving in. Bring some plastic garbage bags to cover items. Tools to adjust height on beds. Risers for the bed. Water to drink. Order any appliances ahead of time at local stores to be picked up as well as linens, etc. We also used plastic shopping bags to carry items instead of boxes. These fold nicely under the bed or behind a dresser for moving out day in the spring. Handcarts with bungee cords are invaluable. We used small plastic drawers on rollers that could fit either under the bed or in the closet for extra storage, meds, plastic plates, cups, ramen noodles, etc. Don’t forget a folding step stool, bed bath and beyond have them. It makes it easier to reach top of closet, etc.</p>
<p>My son had the best freshman move in experience to Berkeley because he followed my advice. 
I told him to pack as if he was going somewhere for two weeks–rather than as if he was moving permanently to Timbuktu. He ended up taking a suitcase, a giant dufflebag and 2 backpacks (one was for his laptop). </p>
<p>On move in day, he and his dad were able to simply park a few blocks away and in one trip schlep everything up to his room. My son was thrilled to not be stuck waiting for elevators, trying to find a dolly or maneuver one down a crowded hallway, or take multiple trips up stairwells when elevators were crammed.</p>
<p>What I told my son in prep for the move was that A) he’s only living there for 9 months at a shot B) we can mail him anything important left at home C) there are stores nearby as well D) he won’t use 90% of the stuff beyond what he can carry in one trip anyhow E) the whole process has to be reversed 9 months later when he moves out of the dorm room and he has to schlep all that stuff home again.</p>
<p>He actually took this advice! He had a great move in and told me later that he thought what he saw around him on move in day was completely ridiculous and overdone.</p>
<p>Check to see if the school provides volunteers on move in day. D’s school did and they pounced on the car as soon as we parked in the designated area. They had everything out of the car on its way in 7 minutes. All I had to do was move the car and carry my purse. We were told to put the room number on everything in some kind of container or bag and everything was delivered properly. Moving out was the nightmare. </p>
<p>I had saved all the plastic zip bags over the years - the ones in which large items like comforters, sheet sets and blankets come in. They were great for packing and easily labeled.</p>
<p>We saw kids moving in with 70" flat screen tv’s. I still don’t know where they put those things. The rooms are NOT that big. Yes, most kids overpack. We were guilty with our oldest, we have done better since.</p>
<p>Although it may too late for this year’s freshmen to sign up, my D’s mid-sized state U offered a trip that began a week before movein and lasted 5 days; the kids were allowed to stay in the dorms once they’d come back. It was great - we moved her in a week early, she got her choice of bed, etc. (although her roomie was on the same trip, she arrived later than we did). She had an amazing time, made great friends and we avoided the move-in rush. The next year, she was an RA so we came up a week early again. Last year, she worked at the school over the summer and stored her stuff, so we didn’t even have to go up.</p>
<p>I would highly recommend finding whatever means possible to move in early. We parked right up by the building and our four sons formed a human conveyor belt passing things up and into the elevator, where my daughter and I took them out and into the room. When her roomie arrived, they decided to bunk the twin beds and we all had a good laugh when both dads pulled out the same tool box.</p>
<p>The Quirky power strip was expensive, but great alternative to a standard power strip, as it bends around the edge of the desk so it isn’t taking up as much space and holds more of the "blocker"chargers that are so common. Preorder from Bed Bath Beyond NOW and pick up at the closest store to the college a month or so in. Collect their 20percent off coupons…you can use as many as you have in one transaction. Unlike a wedding registry, they pull the items off the shelves in your destination city and put them in a box with your name on it as soon as you order. double check the boxes before you leave the store. we eliminated a few things, added a few things, and we’re out of the store in a very short time. You don’t pay until pickup.</p>
<p>My kids recommend clip on lamp for bed to use for late night studying. Do not forget light bulbs for these lamps- they sometimes have a smaller base than regular light bulbs.</p>
<p>Anyone have any tips for moving into an apartment on the second floor with no elevators?</p>
<p>Last year I was spoiled with a small building on the edge of campus (therefore very little traffic) with two parking lots within ten feet of the building and my suite-style dorm was only on the first floor, so I didn’t have to deal with stairs or an elevator or a terrible waiting line. It was literally the easiest process ever.</p>
<p>This year, not so lucky. It’ll probably just be me, my dad, and my mom, but my dad has heart problems, so I don’t want to rely on him a lot to move stuff up a flight of stairs.</p>
<p>second? pssssh try forth when the elevators were broken down. that was a… lovely experience.</p>
<p>Honestly, just pack lighter. It might make a few more trips, but its worth it in the end.</p>
<p>@AUgirl - DD just got her room assignment yesterday… she’s on 4th floor with no elevator, and her Dad just had heart surgery last month… so we are in the same boat. I think we are just going to pack small loads to carry up; bring her younger teen sister to help; and take it slow and steady.</p>
<p>Anyone have any opinions on the “slim line hangers” sold by BBB? Are those really preferable over the regular plastic ones?</p>
<p>My roommate had the slim line hangers and loved them. I would had bought them myself but I already had hangers and didn’t have money to buy something I already had.</p>
<p>hanaliy, are you sure the school does not provide help with move in? I thought that most large state universities did that now.</p>
<p>Plan a nice dinner the night before, or week before. A planned lunch and/or dinner the day of move-in may keep the kid from an all-campus picnic or dinner with the floor.</p>
<p>@cartera45 I don’t think so, but since the dorm is co-ed I understand the guys who are moving in often offer to help. I think we’ll be fine. I am working on having the roomate bring the frig, and us getting the futon - I think I’ve found a store near the college that actually delivers the futon, so they would carry it up.</p>