Packing tips for Out of State students

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
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<p>As many of the freshman Out of State students are gearing up for HS Graduation and Party, family and friends may ask you (or parents) what you need for college. Since you probably have’nt given this much thought, I would like to offer some ideas and shortcuts that will make move in a breeze. </p>

<p>My first two sons attended school FAR from home (Central Ohio). My oldest went to the US Air Force Academy his first year. First year cadets had very little freedom and could not leave campus without a pass and they had no transportation either. I got real good at preparing care packages for his situation. </p>

<p>My second son is at UA. We initially did not allow him to have a car on campus. He purchased a cheap bike at Wal-mart a week or two after classes started. He had lots of problems with the bike and had to exchange it twice. He settled on a higher quality bike but ended up donating it to a local program that refurbishes bikes from college students and gives them to teens in need. All he had to do was leave it unlocked and hang a provided tag/hanger identifying it for donation. This fall he invested in a high quality Trek bike from a cycle shop in the Downtown area just south and east of the river. </p>

<p>Since we live 11 hours by car (one way), we decided to send him to Alabama by plane. He took a shuttle from the airport to campus. This was pre-arranged. On his arrival day, he rode in a large passanger van with three other UA students. He checks only two large duffle bags with wheels and carried his backpack. His bags contained warm weather clothing, shoes and toiletries. I shipped two large items a week before he left to insure they would be on campus before he was. We confirmed that the “Package Delivery Service” in Paty Hall would be open on that arrival Sunday until 4PM. Paty Hall was about three blocks from Riverside North. </p>

<p>As soon as he got his keys, he dropped his luggage in his room and ran over to Paty Hall. I shipped one large duffle on wheels that contained his bedding and towels packaged in “Space Bags”. The second container was an oversized “Rubbermaid - Tough Neck” Storage container that had wheels on one end and a molded handle on the other. This large molded plastic tote/bin is extra storage under his bed when raised up high. I strategicly packed non breakable items along with a collapsable hand cart and bungee straps. He was able to use the hand cart and bungee straps to transport items shipped direct from on-line stores. </p>

<p>This fall I was at Wal-mart in Tuscaloosa the first night of Move-In. Wal mart was completely sold out of small and kitchen size trash cans plus tension style curtain rods.
It is difficult to find a curtain rod wide enough for the front room in Riverside style buildings. I managed to build one by combining two rods however, any window treatment must be light weight. The first year I placed “3M-Command” hooks about 5" apart and hung stationary curtain panels with large grommet rings on each side of the window.</p>

<p>Items purchased on line and shipped to Package Delivery Service: </p>

<p>Printer (Staples)
TV/Computer Monitor (Best Buy)
Folding wood book shelf (Target)
Fan/Waste Basket/Lamp/Hangers (Bed, Bath & Beyond)
Kitchen Dishes/Glasses (Amazon)
Rechargable floor Vac (Sam’s Club)</p>

<p>Items to pack and ship ahead: <strong>start collecting them now to spread out the expenses</strong></p>

<p>“Command-3M” picture hangers & mounting tapes
Lysol wipes
Window wipes
Detergent
Dryer Sheets
Kitchen size trash bags
Air fresheners
Cotton hand rags (cheap low quality wash cloths)
Shower soap
toilet bowl brush/cleaning wand
small waste can for bath *pack lots of small items in it before shipping
decorative shower curtain (optional)
green scrubby pads
sponges
Dish towel
magic erasers
paper towel holder
Glad Ware storage containers
silverware/utinsels
over the door hooks</p>

<p>first aid kit (make one with only the items you/they really use…dental floss,
Band Aids, Nail Clippers, fine tweezers, Neosporin, Anti Fungal Cream,
razors, Pain relief, Cold/Allergy relief, Anti Diarrhea, Tums, Cough drops, etc.)</p>

<p>tool kit (make one with small but higher quality tools…duct tape, clear packaging tape,
small hammer, screw driver with multi heads, eye glass repair kit,
bungee straps, needle nose plyers, wrench, batteries (AA,AAA,9V, C,D)
tape measure, etc.)</p>

<p>school/desk supplies
surge protector/octopus extension cord
camera/extra digital card
USB Drive
Gallon size ziploc bags</p>

<p>Well that is enough for now. If you are fortunate to make contact with your roommates ahead of time, you may be able to divy up the communal items or prevent duplication.</p>

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<p>Wow!
Thank you so much for the informative post… I am very sure many of us will be searching to find it as actual move-in gets closer. :)</p>

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<p>Very good list. It is amazing how little one actually needs in college even though they “need” so many different things at home.</p>

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<p>Great insight SEA_tide!</p>

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<p>Momof3boyz: you might want to post this over in the general Parent’s Forum too. It’s a great resource!</p>

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<p>Some things can be ordered online from Walmart to be picked up at the local store…that might save on some shipping costs.</p>

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<p>If you come from a colder climate, do not follow the advice my son got. He was told, “Don’t worry. You won’t need jeans or a coat until December.” I have great photos of him and his friends from homecoming. It was 37 degrees that day and sleeting. He only had a sweatshirt. Fortunately, he did have blankets on his bed (BTW, they made fun of him for that until temps were in the 40s in the morning). Make sure your student has at least one warmer blanket for the bed, and some sort of jacket to wear. Oh, and I was a little more prepared than he was. I had packed four pairs of jeans.</p>

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<p>Kids do need some warmer clothing around October…especially for some evening football games. </p>

<p>Yes, kids need blankets right away because the rooms are air-conditioned.</p>

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<p>Thanks for starting this thread. Will definitely be referring back to this come August!</p>

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<p>looking over the list of supplies is overwhelming. i guess from the list, they are responsible for vacuuming the suite and cleaning the bathroom – i don’t know that my daughter even knows how to clean a bathroom! i guess i better start making her clean here for the practice! :-)</p>

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<p>One reason we send them AWAY to college, so they have to learn how to do these things!</p>

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<p>Yes, they have to vacuum their own rooms and living room. There are vacuums available for use.</p>

<p>As for cleaning bathrooms…Time to learn now! </p>

<p>Also time to learn how to “spot treat” various stains on clothes! (I love the new “Spray & Wash with Resolve Power”…much better than the old Spray and Wash). And a dot of Dawn dish soap is very good for greasy stains.</p>

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<p>D has the laundry piece down from doing a couple of multiweek summer programs…cleaning the bathrooms not so much :wink: But I bought a 4 pack of the disinfectant wipes at Costco when they had coupon last month & put those in her “college” corner of the closet.</p>

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<p>Save your son or daughter a lot of grief with the laundry. Buy the Purex sheets 3-in-1 sheets. Also, they need to wash their kitchen/bathroom floors, so purchasing a Swiffer is a good idea, too.</p>

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<p>omg – all of this cleaning! i am glad i will be a 16-hour drive away, at least i will not feel compelled to run down there and clean up for her. purex sheets are a great idea. i live on the costco disinfectant wipes, so those will be invaluable for the suite. good to know about vacuums being available – i just hope she doesn’t try to hire out the work!</p>

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<p>I know one mom of an Alabama shirt who said that her son wanted to hire someone to iron for him. … Got my son a steamer so he can “steam out” the wrinkles. It works great.</p>

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<p>With all the dovetailing of talent and need showing up on this thread I sense a business opportunity here: create an orientation curriculum along the lines of “Zen and the Art of Dormitory Housekeeping,” then sell it to universities across the land. It’ll pay for our football tickets and trips to Tuscaloosa :)</p>

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<p>^^^I think that it would be very popular with parents.</p>

<p>Living in the super suite style dorms is different than traditional dorms in that you are basically living in an apartment/condo with interior corridors. My advice is to run your dorm room like your home, because that’s what it is for 9 months out of the year.</p>

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<p>I just reposted this thread on the Parents Forum. Thanks for suggesting that.</p>

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<p>I printed your list and put it in the college folder! Thanks!!!</p>