<p>chuy... that would be the gallon size ziplocks
one good thing to remember in the chaos...stick a small memo pad or a sheet or two of paper and a pen in your bag (parent) on the actual move in day..indespensible for jotting down the inevitable list of what is still needed
I found a soft tape measure (like dressmakers/tailors use...I got one free from the nice ladies at Victoria's secret lol)) really handy once in the dorm room to measure out available spaces under the bed,etc.it fit in my bag rolled up,easily.</p>
<p>Sleeping Bag</p>
<p>Your student may join outdoor rec, local church groups or other campus groups that go on retreats. Also handy when siblings and friends visit or can serve as a comforter in pinch during power outages or if someone gets sick on theirs.</p>
<p>Files</p>
<p>Some are already mentioned. Some catagories to consider...health(include copy of insurance card, health history, campus heath center info), 'University' file with subcatagories 'residence', 'academic' (advisor info, course lists, transcripts,etc), 'general', as mentioned 'product info' (instuctions, warrenty info, etc), documentation (for passports, i.d.), address/email lists, local(maps, malls, stores, bus routes), menues(they will quickly find their favorite places) any more you can think of?? Within the first few days of move-in the students end of with stacks of important papers and it helps if a system is already in place.</p>
<p>Locking file cabinet (buy a small, cheap one once you arrvive and assess space) good for slipping a laptop into, as well as digital cameras, electronics, other things that may 'walk off'</p>
<p>great thread- thanks!</p>
<p>Tiered hangers - instead of using individual clip hangers which are bulky use a tiered hanger for skirts.</p>
<p>Labels with grandparents' addresses already printed on them along with stamped envelopes</p>
<p>Shout Color Catchers - Best thing since sliced bread. One sheet goes into the washer with every load, and any color that 'runs' is collected on the sheet, so no surprises if they didn't do a great job of sorting, etc. Also handy if your kid uses a washer vacated by someone else and that someone left a red sock in there! They are by the Shout products, come in a box a little larger than the wipes. D has used them for 3 yrs now, and I even use them at home, they really work. Also, those Tide stain pens. Also work very well.<br>
Another thing - We made copies of D's passport and driver's license before she went abroad last year. I put those along with a recent picture of her in a file and tucked it away. Just did the same thing for my D2, college freshman as of 8/20. Where did this summer go?!?</p>
<p>Remember your towel!</p>
<p>Wow, awesome list. There were a lot of things I had never thought of. I don't know if I can add anything here... hmm... oh, CHAPSTICK!! I would die without it. Let's see... garbage bags are probably a good idea, printer paper... and for all us singers out there, bring those clear sheet protectors for your sheet music. Clorox wipes... windex... a cable/wiring organizer... maybe some sharpies... nail file would be useful... air fresheners! A pack of playing cards, nalgene bottles are great. I think thats all I got :)</p>
<p>I started obsessing about this list, and then I thought better of it.</p>
<p>We are taking our son down and spending the night before we go back home.</p>
<p>Wouldn't it be best for many of these items to get a lay of the land, compile a list of last fill-in items and then head to Target to complete the shopping? Anything we miss at that point, they can buy when school starts.</p>
<p>Other than those who are not moving their children in, is there something wrong with this strategy?</p>
<p>thats an excelent strategy go5878 as long as you have the time.Thats why I included the hint about the tape measure,memo pad and pen!!!</p>
<p>Yes, it really depends on the drop-off schedule (some schools use the dump-and-drive-away model) and whether the student may be heading of on his/her own.</p>
<p>go5878, I thought about that, too. However, I imagine that move-in day will be both exciting and hectic, and the last thing I will probably want to do is get in the car and drive to Target/WalMart to shop. It will most certainly be the last thing our son will want to do. If we go shopping without our son, then we're wasting some of our precious final hours to spend with him. If he goes shopping with us, then we're prying him away from his new roommate and the cute coeds down the hallway to go to a department store. Riiiight.</p>
<p>Plus, there's always a chance that the store may not have what you need (especially in a college town on move-in day). Then, what do you do?</p>
<p>No, I'd rather buy everything I think we'll need ahead of time and save the receipts. Then, if it turns out we don't need certain stuff, we'll return those items at our leisure (or use them ourselves) once we get back home.</p>
<p>go5878, I agree with darius - we had to fly across the country to move our D in and we thought it would be easier to pick up shelving, storage boxes, etc. at a Target. </p>
<p>Bad idea - the stock was depleted, nary a laundry basket in sight and forget about storage boxes. Then it was on to Walmart - same story. Luckily we had gone the BBB route and ordered some items to be picked up at the local store. At the time we did the BBB preorder I thought about persuading my D not to order the chair, the tall shelving unit, etc as I thought we'd be able to get a better deal at Target or Walmart. In retrospect I was happy I had not!</p>
<p>Since we were out and about trying to find things we missed the parent orientation events. We left our D on campus so she could participate in the student events.</p>
<p>Purell - colds come from unwashed hands. </p>
<p>Lomotil - for less than fresh food off campus</p>
<p>A lock box or foot locker - to keep important papers, extra cash. Theft is a big problem everwhere</p>
<p>Cleats - people always remember clothes and shoes but they forget the cleats - what sports are you going to play in the fall?</p>
<p>Shoe waterproofer - especially if you're in a cold climate</p>
<p>Paper plates, plastic cups, plastic utensils. Maybe a bowl for sharing popcorn or other snacks. I sent along several outdoor lightweight plates, bowls etc. as well. The Brita filter I left in the mini fridge got rave reviews - S and his roomie were happy to have fresh tasting water anytime. </p>
<p>I second taking lots of ziploc bags - great for leftovers, keeping bugs out of opened things and many other uses. Ditto the oversized beach towel.</p>
<p>We brought the over the door rack to school, only to find there were no closet doors in the dorm room and an extra set of storage cubes only to find there was no room for them! Home they went.</p>
<p>One item that I don't think has been mentioned yet - you may need more lighting for the room than you imagined. S and roommate each needed a desk lamp as well as a standing floor lamp - the overhead light might as well not have even been there, it was so dim.</p>
<p>I think I saw "ice-bag" once. This is a good thing if your child does intramurals. My son rolled his ankle in basketball and he had one to keep the swelling down.</p>
<p>Condoms (10char)</p>
<p>I forgot my pillow first day of freshman year. My parents had to mail it to me!</p>
<p>Sore throats are inevitable and colds. I pack zip-lok bags with D's favorite tea, including throat coat. Also airborne. Great thread, thanks.</p>
<p>Also board games or cards, and a couple of small gift bags.</p>
<p>Eyeglass repair kit</p>