<p>Hello all, DS is entering Blair as a junior, transfer from public school. I have received the packing list, but I am having trouble, visualizing. Do you label clothing, do they bring clothes in duffle bags? Do boys decorate? How much money do they need monthly, for spending? So many questions... I guess I am a bit overwhelmed. We are only one hour away, but I do want him to feel settled. Any help will be so appreciated.</p>
<p>My son took a trunk and a backpack. Decorations consisted of some of his favorite posters. We did not label clothing, but many (maybe most) do. He took a small stereo - having his music was very important to him. We also took a small lamp. We were traveling 3000 miles away so we took the position that if we set up his room and it really needed something we didn’t have, we could head into town and get it. I think we ended up getting a small throw rug for color and a home-like feel. Can’t remember if we got anything else. </p>
<p>Girls are a completely different drill. It was hysterical watching the fathers unload those cars.</p>
<p>@Momma4: The issue of clothing labeling was addressed in another thread with a dorm parent addressing the issue unequivocally. I will reiterate her point. Absolutely, positively label your son’s clothing!!! If he uses the laundry service, they will certainly mix up clothing items from time to time. Also, kids routinely misplace items. I’d also label any valuable possessions.</p>
<p>You don’t necessarily need to bring all seasons of clothing at the same time. We bought plastic storage bins for under the bed and used these to hold an extra set of linens and some clothing for the next/recently past seasonal transition. We then used trips at parents weekends to bring home out of season clothing. </p>
<p>Other strong recommendations for the room that you might not have considered:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>a padded mattress cover of foam/down(don’t underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep)</p></li>
<li><p>a printer</p></li>
<li><p>hanging shoe organizer</p></li>
<li><p>organizer for toiletries (to carry to the bathroom/shower)</p></li>
<li><p>an ergonomic desk chair if permitted</p></li>
<li><p>a fan (many dorms are NOT air conditioned)</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Years ago when I went off, my Dad’s attitude was: go, get settled, and once you’ve looked around, let us know what you need in terms of clothing, etc. It was a good plan. I think a good desk lamp may be the most important accessory at the start. Within reason of course, give your son some flexibility in terms of acquiring the clothes and room gear he thinks he needs. With the internet, it’s a LOT easier these days to track down just about anything.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/311892-ultimate-supply-list-boarding-school-60.html?highlight=list[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/311892-ultimate-supply-list-boarding-school-60.html?highlight=list</a></p>
<p>Once he’s settled in, he won’t need much spending money. Some students love ordering take-out food. Some students love to go out to the movies off campus. Check if the washers & dryers take quarters.</p>
<p>If you have the opportunity, go the night before and pick up things too bulky or heavy to ship easily. We got to the school, scoped out the room situation, and then made a run to local mall to buy what she was lacking. With airlines charging for extra bags it’s a leap of faith to tote a comforter and pillows. I also stocked up on laundry detergent and “liquids” that are hard to pack given airline restrictions (not to mention weight).</p>
<p>I second what @kraordrawoh said about a mattress pad. I’m sure the mattresses are sanitized but I didn’t want to take the chance and the pillows seemed well past their prime so we bought new ones while there. </p>
<p>She used her hanging shoe rack as an organizer by hanging it from a curtain rod near her desk. Was perfect for an alarm since she had top bunk. I also bought thin hangers (the velvety kind) to give her more space in the closet. Her roommate’s dad put a coat rack in the hallway outside the room for wet winter coats and boots. He also brought two sets of shelves (the ClosetMaid kind with only two levels) and put one each on top of each girl’s desk for extra organization (I would have never thought of that but it was brilliant since the shoe shelves were the same length and color as the desks). Sheets and towels are easy to buy once there as well.</p>
<p>I got an Amazon Prime account so I could send whatever was needed 2-day delivery. Also, Costco is selling rolling duffel bags for about $40 that are pretty big and very sturdy.</p>
<p>That ultimate supply list is just way too long and complex for the average boy, IMO</p>
<p>I second the recommendations for bins that he can store under the bed. These can be larger than the typical underbed storage containers as there’s lots of height under the beds. They really keep the mess down if you have a boy who is not particularly neat. Mine used one bin for his schoolbooks (couldn’t be bothered to put them on a shelf) and another for shoes (he’s an athlete and has a LOT of shoes and would never take the time to use a shoe organizer.) and another for misc. stuff.</p>
<p>Also agree with matress pad, printer, and fan.</p>
<p>My kid nixed the toiletry organizer as too girly, so just used a shaving kit and carried in his shampoo.</p>
<p>Desk lamp was provided. Never uses a desk anyway, so we got one of those comfy, round, foldable chairs that are made for apartments and dorm rooms, and he lived in it. But that was something we sent later, when we knew he had room for it and needed a spot for studying. </p>
<p>A freestanding coat rack or those hooks that are (supposedly) removable from walls are also really useful for wet towels, coats, uniforms, etc. </p>
<p>A bag for packing to come home for vacation and maybe another for athletic equipment–but otherwise, I’d pack his stuff in the bins.</p>
<p>For walls: posters, photo collage (I ordered one up of family pics), maybe a bulletin board/dry erase board, drawings from little siblings, and I got my kid a colored window blind because it was all pretty stark white in the room. </p>
<p>start with very little money–our kid maybe spent 10 to 20 dollars a month on food, pop, candy. </p>
<p>That said, I sent LOTS of granola bars, pop tarts, drink mix for his water bottle–amazon subscribe and save–free shipping and low prices</p>
<p>carpet sweeper (hey, a mom can dream, right?)</p>
<p>a multi-outlet surge suppressor</p>
<p>vitamins and basic meds (in our house, ibuprofen)</p>
<p>Other stuff (rug, desk organizers, etc.) are probably best to buy once he gets there.</p>
<p>And learn from my experience, and label his shoes, or they’ll walk away…</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your responses…one month and counting!!!</p>
<p>@Momma4,</p>
<p>As u say, u are only one hour away…</p>