<p>At my D’s orientation last week the students recommended not bringing a tv. My D watches everything on her laptop anyway.</p>
<p>Between their class and rehearsal schedule their really isn’t time for tv </p>
<p>We use Amazon Prime for our whole family, including son at college, and the free shipping pays for itself very quickly. It’s the best way to get items to a college student quickly. My son is at Ithaca, and between their crazy schedule and the lack of nearby shopping, I know that Amazon Prime is how most of those kids get their basic toiletries!</p>
<p>I’m still cracking up over the “packed car” rhapsodies above and the Beverly Hillbillies reference! When we took our oldest to college, it was just assumed that the whole family would go. Three kids, two adults, minivan, stuff strapped to the back (and covered with a classy blue tarp), the works. My daughter had a meltdown in the driveway, wailing “We look like something out of The Grapes of Wrath!!” She felt better when we arrived at her dorm the next day and parked next to dozens of similarly tricked-out vehicles, but I also learned that for our family, one parent and one kid were all that would be advisable for these move-in days in the future. The miserably self-conscious 13-year-old younger brother, alongside the happily grubby, gregarious, curious 8-year-old, were not a help! 
</p>
<p>Also–I agree with those who counsel bringing less stuff, and found that for my theater kid (that former 8-year-old mentioned above), it was a bit of an asset not to have his tv and x-box stuff, as he got to know other kids (non-theater majors, older BFA students, etc.) by going to other people’s rooms to watch football or play Madden or whatever. It’s really true that they don’t have much time for that stuff anyway.</p>
<p>S started cleaning out his clothes, he realized he just has too many to take with him. He was excited when I confirmed Otterbein’s laundry is free…he may think somebody will do it for him lol. I can’t believe it’s 46 days away! </p>
<p>We started the packing today.- D leaves in 2 weeks for a mission trip and goes right to school for rehearsal for their summer show at school. D said she was taking less this year and so far it’s true. So far we consolidated two totes into one and there is still space in the tote for more stuff! </p>
<p>My friend’s daughter took 5 SUITCASES to college last fall (she’s a bit of a fashionista). She brought home 3 suitcases-worth at Homecoming in October. Really, it’s jeans and hoodies. Very little opportunity for fashion.</p>
<p>My D found the opposite @MTmom2015. She barely wore jeans and this year is only taking half her hoodies. She is also still taking all her shoes. If they pledge a sorority/fraternity they will also need dress clothes and some formal wear</p>
<p>My daughter isn’t planning on taking many clothes at all. Her issue is wanting to take all of her plays, playbills, theater posters etc…</p>
<p>@bisouu my D took all her plays and also instead of putting them in storage brought them all home this summer too-we already have started packing up the ones she knows she will not look at for the next couple of weeks that she is home. But she is taking them all back with her. . She did take her playbills last year but I don’t think she will find it necessary to bring them this year. She did have a fair amount of decorations on her half of the wall and will be taking them back as well. </p>
<p>@broadway95 LOL… Maybe it depends on climate? We had a really cold year in MI !! :)</p>
<p>@MTmom2015 We are from Michigan and that has never played into her fashion. Lol. Although she is at a small campus so she doesn’t not have to walk long or bus it to any classes. </p>
<p>Do kids really use those microwave fridge things?</p>
<p>Our D’s room comes with a microwave and mini-frig. But 2nd semester she asked for her own min frig! They use both a lot. They keep a Brita water pitcher in one. and they often don’t have time to eat in the cafeteria so they will pick up food and refrigerate it for later. They pop popcorn and heat things up in the microwave. Good for late night study snacks! So in her case they do use both.</p>
<p>My D used hers all the time, especially with the crazy MT schedule. A lot of the grab and go bags aren’t the most healthy, depending on cafeteria hours they might not have time to get there and she was able to eat much better having those in her room. </p>
<p>Do the kids need a printer?</p>
<p>My D doesn’t. On her campus they can print in all the computer labs and in the library. There are plenty available and most are open 24-7. Her roommate brought one but it only collected dust and took up space on the desk</p>
<p>My older daughter and her roommate shared a printer freshman year and they used it often. It was a luxury- there were definitely other options and the ink is expensive but they were grateful to have it for the convenience. It had to live under the bed because desk and counter space was so limited.</p>
<p>S starting cleaning out his closet…in typical fashion “mom here is a bag of clothes to donate” Me “are they clean” S “yes I got them out of my closet”…takes a few steps then turns around “well some were on the floor” honestly :)>- </p>
<p>Go through the bag before donating this time, MTMC!!!</p>