<p>We only preordered a few things from BBB. When we got to school, we went to closest Officemax which had a BBB in its strip mall also. We bought items at new BBb using their lIst and canceled original order.</p>
<p>She’s in! Our best choices: Heavy scissors to cut those plastic packages, painters tape for taping a trash can up where we were working, Ziplocs, sharpies, doorstop…all triggered by this thread! Our other great choice was getting a condo and hiring a shuttle service guy vs a taxi to get our luggage to the dorm. those of you who are moving into Boston colleges, we used Greyline and they were awesome. $40 to come to our condo, load about 20 items into the car, drive it 15 minutes, and unload it on to the sidewalk where our daughter was waiting with a big laundry cart. Way better than renting a car! my Costco magnetic folding dollycart (see earlier post) came in very handy too…Dd decided to keep on campus to load to friends when they move in. </p>
<p>Now our biggest challenge is our 12 year old…she was so sad that she refused to leave the bunk in her sister’s room and went on strike! We will have to do some special things in the coming days.</p>
<p>Moved DS into Penn yesterday and expected a city move in nightmare. We were always scheduled for Monday, but since they moved all of the Sunday move ins to Monday we expected even more of a nightmare. We hit no traffic getting into the city or near the school. It was so empty that I asked DS if he was sure there wasn’t an email about the date changing. </p>
<p>As we pulled up to the quad a rep waved us down and pointed us down the road where someone was flagging us to an open spot. They told us where to grab a huge cart which we did no problem. While we were unloading they came by and said it looked like we had a lot of stuff and suggested that we grab a second cart so that we could unload faster. I was shocked that they would let us and that they had enough for us to do that. As soon as the carts were loaded I had to move the car to the parking deck, which they had already handed me a free voucher for when we first pulled up. By the time I walked back from the lot all the things were up in the room already.</p>
<p>We then went to pick up his ID card and there was a line of about 3 people in front of us, so it took all of 5 minutes. After he was handed the card, he took three steps to where the bank had an area where he could link his ID to his account so that he could use it as his ATM card. It all couldn’t have been easier!</p>
<p>I was expecting such a nightmare and this was the furthest thing possible. Of course the fact that no one was there made all the difference, but I could see the plan that they had in place will make it as smooth as possible when there are crowds. </p>
<p>They told me that it was much more crowded and difficult in the early morning (we showed up just before noon). So I think part of the reason it was easier for us is that everyone had they idea to get their early and beat the crowds. I don’t know if it would work out for everyone but sometimes getting there later is better than earlier. </p>
<p>Good luck to everyone who still has the move ins in front of them. There is hope :-)</p>
<p>I have read much but not all of this thread over the past weeks so forgive me if this has been mentioned. D moved into West coast dorm this past weekend. We flew from Midwest with three large suitcases, two carry-ons and a full backpack. We picked up many more items at BBB and Target after arriving but before moving in. </p>
<p>So glad the rep at Hertz suggested upgrading to an SUV from the full-size I had reserved. Usually I would ignore these upsell techniques but we would have never fit everything in a car (in one trip). What was I thinking?! Pay the extra and get a bigger vehicle! We fit everything with a little room to spare.</p>
<p>Also, I was surprised to learn that the gas I could have purchased from Hertz at pick-up was cheaper ($3.59/gal) than what I paid ($3.85) and any prices I saw ($3.79-3.99). When did that change? </p>
<p>Hopefully there are still a few families out there that this will help. And thanks to everyone for the many helpful tips I was able to use that made it so much easier!!</p>
<p>midwstmom, My two cents on getting the hertz gas rate is you have to authorize a full tank at the discounted price. For most of our trips, we couldn’t be certain that we would arrive back at the lot needing a full tank.</p>
<p>We found that each move-in is different! Again, we didn’t need our handy cart because son’s room was up three flights of stairs and we were able to park right out front. Once parked it was pretty much stairs all the way. No rug needed, cool day, fan barely needed but appreciated. The best piece of advice was hanging the clothes up (mostly t-shirts) on those skinny hangers and packing them in big plastic bags. Between that and one duffel bag, all of son’s clothes were put away in less then 10 minutes!</p>
<p>^^kathie: I’ve been thinking about you travelling to VT this week…everything ok?</p>
<p>ditto the hanging clothes to go directly into the closet; must have saved hours…</p>
<p>kathiep: Thanks, I must’ve misunderstood the part where I would be buying a full tank. I only put in 8, probably about half. Now I feel better.</p>
<p>Moved DS in today to state flagship. “Official” freshman move-in day is tomorrow evening (5-7) and all day Thursday. However, several various groups of students were moving in today so there was plenty of activity on campus. It all went fairly smoothly except we never saw any sign of his RA the whole time we were there! We arrived around 12:30 and unloaded car, transported to room and unpacked a lot (with the door open) before heading to lunch around 2. Came back from lunch around 3:15 and left again by 3:45 as we had to get home to get ancient dog from the groomers so he didn’t have to spend the night. No RA and when I texted son about 6:00, he still had not seen his RA. This was so disturbing to me! When I moved into college many years ago (small, single sex LAC), what I remember most was my RA welcoming us all. Son and DH were told when they registered and picked up the key that the RA would be on the floor! It was awful leaving DS there all along in his room as his roommate doesn’t arrive until tomorrow (which luckily means he’ll only have one night alone, not two). He was so anxious last night that he couldn’t sleep so I know that having no one around was worrisome to him. </p>
<p>DH is thinking of emailing the residence life office, but I don’t want to make an issue that may cause problems between DS and his RA. His room is on the end of the hall where the RA lives, so if he was around, it would have been pretty obvious. His door was closed the whole time we were in the dorm. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>It seems that moving on the ‘unofficial’ day is probably the reason the RA wasn’t there. I might have been concerned if you moved on the official day and noone was there.</p>
<p>Now, it’s been many years since I went into the dorms, but there was no such thing as the RA greeting us. We were pretty much on our own. I don’t remember any big activities planned for the freshmen. We were just expected to move on, get settled, and start classes! Seemed to all work out OK.</p>
<p>bump, to save searching time</p>
visine, pepto chewables, diarrhea meds, for girls: Pamprin or Mydol, cold medicine including non drowsy and nite time
Remember… These colleges do this every year… It will be fine!!! Consider using a Uber van instead of a car… No parking issues!!!