<p>I know that Wal-Mart definitely does it. I assume that if one does then all do but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>
Not a parent of an S, but I went out to the Rice website and looked at pictures of performances and when they had the entire symphony they were in tuxes. Small ensembles seemed to be in suits or just in black. You might try the same thing for your school.</p>
<p>Sorry I am late into this discussion. I am of the camp that believes that if I can save my D some time later, I might as well pack it for her now. This list on the College Board though makes even me look like a wimp:
[Checklist</a> for college dorm - first year of college](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Campus Life – BigFuture | College Board)</p>
<p>(confirms my suspicion that the sole purpose of the College Board is to stimulate the economy.)</p>
<p>I will mention that regarding light bulbs, it turns out that lamps are not sold with light bulbs included in all states! Make sure your lamp has a light bulb or you will need to make another trip.</p>
<p>We purchased a tux online for my son in the 12th grade. He had several occasions to wear it (including the prom). It cost around $200 dollars and is equal or better in quality than those that you rent. It paid for itself in just 3 months.</p>
<p>Anyhow, I doubt that he will initially need it, but eventually I figured I would send him with in after a weekend visit as he is much more likely to need it at college than in his hometown.</p>
<p>DS has a tux, dark suit, black and gray slacks, black shirts (small ensembles) and a variety of shirts. More than one tux shirt is also a good idea.</p>
<p>This tip will be of no use to this year’s freshmen, but might be of use to underclassmen. We bought our son a tuxedo to wear at his senior prom rather than renting him one, as his friends’ parents did. Our theory was that he will probably need the tux for performances in college anyway so why waste money on a rental.</p>
<p>Does anyone have a suggestion on where to get a floor length black gown with long or 3/4 sleeves in size 0?</p>
<p>[Choral</a> Dresses and Concert Dresses | Southeastern Performance Apparel Southeastern Performance Apparel](<a href=“http://www.sepapparel.com/catalog/dresses.html]Choral”>http://www.sepapparel.com/catalog/dresses.html)
[A</a> formal concert wear site - band-mart accessories](<a href=“http://www.band-martaccessories.com/formal_concert_wear.html#skirts]A”>http://www.band-martaccessories.com/formal_concert_wear.html#skirts)
[Cousin’s</a> Concert Attire | Band Attire | Retail | Wholesale](<a href=“http://www.concertattire.com/default.asp]Cousin’s”>http://www.concertattire.com/default.asp)</p>
<p>Thank you, sagiter!</p>
<p>having sent two off to school, I would have loved to have your suggestions the first round! Obviously everyone won’t want or need the same stuff, but you covered things most students/parents don’t think about until they want/need them…</p>
<p>Also as freshman rarely have their own transportation, when items are discovered to be of use later, its not so easy to go out and get them - having your folks help you outfit your new ‘life’ during your first week can be a godsend!</p>
<p>very informative post!
thanks</p>
<p>Oh! Here’s another! I sent my older S off to college with a few handy medical items – band aids, antibiotic cream, advil, just a few tablets of cold medicine, etc. The types of things that I would have administered or given him in a pinch at home. There’s nothing worse than feeling horrible and realizing that you have to walk a half mile to the pharmacy in the rain or cold to get some medicine that could make you feel better! I forgot to send a thermometer, though, but won’t make that mistake this time around.</p>
<p>I didn’t read the whole thread. All kids are different. Additionally, there is a gender difference, for the most part. Girls tend to want to bring more than guys do. </p>
<p>When I took my boy to school last year, I preferred having a longer list, and then scratching items off that I didn’t think were necessary. </p>
<p>One item I may have missed, which I will add. Our “children” are now adults. Whether they’re going to school as virgins, eventually they will meet someone and end up having sex. I bought my son a large box of condoms, told him that he was on his own when they were gone in terms of replacing them, but he needed to protect himself. When my daughter goes in a year, she will get a box as well, plus a filled prescription for BC. Don’t be stupid, ya know?</p>
<p>For those of you whose kids are traveling across country - remember that they have to store all this stuff somewhere over the summer. D’s school offers summer storage but they limit it to 3 18X18 boxes (you have to pay extra for overage). D and her roommate ended up throwing out several items at the end of the year including storage boxes and shelving, laundry baskets (the popup kind didn’t fit in the box). Even so, D had to send a duffel bag full of stuff home with a friend who lives within driving distance. And will have to repurchase many items at the beginning of the school year. And this is a kid who flew to school with a laptop and 2 suitcases, supplemented by a trip to BBB at school.</p>
<p>Summer storage for most campuses, though, I think is pretty easy and can be very inexpensive if your kid shares with others. My son pays $25 for the whole summer - and stores all his winter clothes (except sweaters & parka for our Bay Area summer,) bedding, keyboard, guitar, subwoofer, books & scores that he can bear to be apart from, etc.</p>
<p>What about music? What should they bring (or not bring)?</p>
<p>The studio at my son’s college had a hefty amount of required music, so he will bring all of that, but should they bring anything else? Would he appear to be a dork if he brought in 4 boxes of music? I’ve encouraged him to make copies of stuff that he had worked on, or is in the process of working on, or even wants to work on, and then just put all of that into sheet protectors and all into a ring binder (maybe two binders, the second one for his secondary instrument) - but maybe he shouldn’t bring anything other than was is required so that he can just focus on what he is instructed to do.
I dunno.</p>
<p>Re: sheet music. My D (a vocalist/pianist) took a binder with some of her favorite sheet music, including some for weddings and funerals and a fake book that she uses for caberet/cocktail parties, etc (great way to earn some extra money). But rarely had time to practice anything outside of what her teacher assigned. Might be different with other instruments - but her private teacher kept her pretty busy. I also think she likes to go back to old favorites when she’s particularly stressed, so its good to have around.</p>
<p>D only took music she was working on or needed in the near future. Some things she just scanned. She has plenty of opera scores and sheet music at home collecting dust. It seemed, more often than not, even if she had the music, the production that she would be working in frequently required a different edition or key. In a pinch, I have occasionally scanned and emailed pieces she needs right away, and then popped the original in the mail. Just make sure that before he leaves----he should organize his collection so that mom or dad isn’t desperately sorting through piles of scores. (like me)
Remember…most music schools have music libraries.</p>
<p>For music books, I’m just planning on taking what I’m currently working on, plus music that’s really common/important/necessary, like my books of Beethoven sonatas, Chopin etudes, Bach WTC, etc.</p>
<p>You’d be amazed at how much music you can fit in those “flat rate” boxes at the Post Office! In fact, that is a great way to ship almost anything for under $15.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m going to leave a lot of music at home that I’m not sure if I’ll need and then have my parents ship other things as I need them from home.</p>