<p>Rodney - very perceptive! Hangers in my house all migrate to D’s room over time. Boys, that is a great pickup line and icebreaker! It will pay dividends, just you wait and see…</p>
<p>I moved away from home 30+ yrs ago. Packed my own (small) car, left home, then unpacked when I got to college.
Took my S to college 4 years ago. Took 2 cars (including a SUV) and spent all day lugging stuff up 4 flights of stairs.
Taking my D to college in 3 weeks. Temps in Texas need to break before then or we may all die in the process. No telling how much stuff she is taking. Some of it is going in a friends truck in advance of our trip.
I liked the suggestion to breathe, and smile, a lot. </p>
<p>Pray for me. :)</p>
<p>Great suggestions - thanks</p>
<p>re: the earlier request for an iron and board.
The wrinkle release spray works pretty well in a pinch and takes up WAY less space.</p>
<p>Plus - I saw this tip online a while ago and we have used it successfully - you can make your own. Just use a spray bottle filled with water and a dryer sheet. Shake it up once in a while and switch out or add another dryer sheet off and on and it works just great!</p>
<p>Actually take the time to read the information you get from the college that they send to all newly accepted students in preparation for moving in. Often times, they provide valuable information about what is already in the room, what isn’t and where to obtain commonly needed items once at the college. Some bulky items might be best purchased locally rather then filling up your vehicle while traveling.</p>
<p>Don’t ship boxes unless necessary. Too expensive and difficult to move around once they arrive on campus, unless you find someone with a dolly.</p>
<p>Buy as much as you can when you get there and leave other home essentials at home for holiday visits. Look for the local BB&B, Target, Walmart, etc. (And, if possible, do pre-order at BB&B.)</p>
<p>While you’re at the store, find other families doing college shopping. Chances are, they’re also incoming freshmen at the same college, and, who knows, they might have rented a truck they’re willing to share. 
It’s a great way for the freshman to make friends, too.</p>
<p>Don’t overload on the shampoo, soap/body wash, toothpaste, etc. One bottle is enough if the student has a means to go shopping. If not, two bottles is plenty for the whole year. Two sets of towels is enough.</p>
<p>Don’t forget stamps, envelopes, batteries, bathrobe, power strip, minifridge, cold medication…</p>
<p>Bring at least one set of formal clothes that the student actually would not mind wearing. Leave that ridiculous-looking dress at home and take the time to shop for something better.</p>
<p>Even if there is a full meal plan, stock up on tea/coffee and small snacks for late-night study sessions when the dining hall is closed.</p>
<p>Check the college’s printing policy. Even if they have free printing, your son/daughter might want the convenience of an in-room printer.</p>
<p>Oh, another thing: if you need to go shopping when you get there, go ASAP. Our stores get cleaned out REALLY quickly on move-in weekend.</p>
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<p>That varies a lot, I think. I have VERY thick hair that I keep somewhat long and I go through a fairly large bottle of shampoo/conditioner in about a month. But for guys I can see it being quite different.</p>
<p>Leave the dorm room door open while you’re unpacking and settling into the room. I’ll never forget a girl stopping in the room and letting my daughter know a few girls were going to walk to an orientation meeting that night together, and asking if she wanted to join them. That not only did that made my exit easier, but they ended up being best friends all through freshman year, getting an apartment together sophomore year, and still to this day are tight as can be. If the door had been closed who knows what might have been different.</p>
<p>I know I’ve read posts about what to bring as well as what was used and not used…could someone point me to the link for those? I’m about at the 3 week mark and starting to panic.</p>
<p>Nice and good tips for the college students who are staying in hostel thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>What to Bring: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html</a></p>
<p>Not Used: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/926984-10s-what-did-you-send-college-your-child-never-used.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/926984-10s-what-did-you-send-college-your-child-never-used.html</a></p>
<p>Thank you clarinette52</p>
<p>Great tips, thank you!</p>
<p>Yes, in college towns, Targets and similar stores become a mad-house on move-in day. You might find a similar store in a location that is on the way, but not right in the college town. That would allow you to avoid the crowds and the traffic jams and to find a better selection of items still in stock.</p>
<p>just bought these for under the bed storage</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Underbed Storage Boxes with Snap Tight Lids - Set of 3 by Iris: Home & Garden](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H67K3W]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H67K3W)</p>
<p>Agree with charlieschm…try to pick the BB&B/Walmart/Target that is NOT the closest to campus. Even those can be crazy and picked over.<br>
We also had success with some items at hardware store (I think it was a Lowe’s? or Orchard?) They had a number of storage items, hangers, light bulbs, duct tape, padlock, iron, cleaning supplies, etc. Went there for a replacement shelf and a tool and found a number of items on the list we’d planned to get at Target. And the parking lot and check out lines were not jammed.</p>
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<p>Yes! all the helpers make the unloading-toting job sooo much easier! It’s the subsequent years that are more physically taxing.</p>
<p>Don’t forget an ethernet cable of the appropriate length. Last year S1’s connection box was on the other side of the room.</p>
<p>It’s very hard to know in advance what the appropriate length is, short of taking veryious lengths or an extra long cable just in case. We had to make a run for super long ethernet cable at Freshman move in. That was before our son and his roommate installed a wireless router above the false ceiling in the dorm hallway. (don’t tell anyone)</p>
<p>This may be the dumbest question - but for the parents picking up bedding and towels at BB&B or some other store - how are you going to wash them before making up the bed? I would think the washers and dryers would be hard to get to on move in day!</p>