<p>Boarding school is just about a month away you guys!</p>
<p>Sooo this leads to a big question: How are we supposed to bring bedding sets, mattress pads, sheets, etc to boarding school? I don't imagine stuffing all of that into a bag somehow..</p>
<p>I personally used boxes last year, but I’m interested in reading how everyone else has done it or plans to do it.</p>
<p>Boxes? Do you drive to your boarding school or fly?</p>
<p>The UPS store by my school allows you to ship boxes there and then they’ll deliver them to the school. You should check if that’s possible</p>
<p>I usually just box things up and then ship them directly to school via UPS/Postal Service and they go directly to my school. Also, I buy things online and instead of shipping them to my house, I send them to school and then just pick up my packages once I get there.</p>
<p>do you all do the same for bedding?</p>
<p>@FutureExonian15, I drive there.</p>
<p>I know how I’m bringing all my stuff to school, but does anyone have any ideas on how to bring everything back at the end of the school year? Because I’m not using suitcases(but I’ll bring some for when I go back home) I’m using xl-xxl ziploc bags, boxes, etc to bring all my stuff to school. And if i take the bus back home at the end of the year i doubt they’ll let me load all of that on the bus. :p</p>
<p>Hi Kids–There are several ways to get your stuff to school. Obviously, if you live within driving distance, you just pack up the wagon and go. If you are remote, like us, you ship the stuff that doesn’t fit into your suitcases directly to the school. The schools usually send out information in the summer telling you how soon prior to the start of school they are prepared to start receiving your boxes. As for bedding, many families purchase those items locally once they arrive on campus (usually a day or two prior to the start of school). But beware that the stores closest to your school may be a bit threadbare by that time, so you may need to drive out to a shopping area not so close to the local colleges or BS. We purchased a memory foam mattress topper and sheets online and had them shipped directly to the school, but used towels and ChoatieKid’s favorite pillows and comforter as packing material when boxing his electronics and instrument for shipping. </p>
<p>Toward the end of the school year, your school will probably provide you with local options for summer storage. ChoatieKid packs up his electronics using clothing that doesn’t fit in his suitcases as supplemental packing material (I hope I don’t have to tell you not to use your blazer and khakis; tee shirts, underwear, and socks work well for this purpose) and ships that box home using the school’s mail room. Then, he packs up his remaining clothes in a suitcase, a carry-on, and a backpack and heads to the airport. You’ll be a pro by the end of the first year. ;)</p>
<p>Best of luck to you all!</p>
<p>@musicforlife234: The schools are expert at the logistics of helping kids get their stuff to and from campus. You can rely on your school to help you at the end of the year with the processes that are tried and true for them. Just get yourself there; the rest will take care of itself. I promise. :)</p>
<p>@FutureExonian15: Welcome to Choate!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! </p>
<p>@ChoatieMom: Do the students have time to move stuff into their rooms? The schedule for Opening Days seems pretty packed… Also, when do we move into the dorm? Do we move in on the 1st, or on the 3rd?</p>
<p>^You move in on registration day which is 9/2 (Labor Day) for all new students. It IS a busy day, but you will have time. No worries. When you arrive, you will go straight to the PMAC to pick up your welcome/registration packet. From there, you (and a very small group of peers) will be paired with a senior who will act as your guide, taking you where you need to go to get your laptop set up and get your books and your Choate ID (picture taken). Seniors will also be on hand to help you move your stuff into your room. We were amazed at how efficient is all was and really wished we had known how orchestrated it would be as that would have alleviated a lot of kiddo’s pre-arrival jitters. Really, all you have to do is show up at the PMAC on registration day, and Choate will take it from there. You can absolutely relax about this now and not lose a wink of sleep. It will be fun, no reason to be nervous.</p>
<p>(And, once your parents leave you to get ready for dinner and convocation, they can wander over to Jake’s to clink glasses with us and shed a few tears of happiness for finally seeing the end of the long admissions journey and the exciting start of your Choate career. Enjoy these last few weeks at home!)</p>
<p>I’m taking the train so this is even more of a problem. I guess I’m just going to have to find some really big bags.</p>