Things you might not think of to send to college with your kid?

Like so many others, we are in packing mode right now. Throughout the process, DD or I will think of something and say, “Hey! Maybe I should bring this? I hadn’t thought of it before!” So far we have decided on a bathing suit and a beach towel. No, she’s not going to school near the beach, but we figured a large towel is good for letting out on the grass on the sunny days, and the fitness center has a pool so if she ever wants to use it…there you go.

Anyone else think of anything like this? I’m not thinking of really important things, just things that might be nice to have. We certainly don’t want to over pack and we can always send her something if she needs it later, but I’d love to hear other people’s lightbulb packing moments if you have them!

If they have a suite, a plunger might come in handy.

Also, a small first aid kit and a small tool kit.

A power strip to plug stuff in.

Dorm my son is in has windows with blinds but apparently lots of light streams in - we got curtains to darken the room - he needs his sleep. (Just hope his Sonic boom clock can wake him up.) But the room only has 1 light - over the sink so we got a multi light floor lamp. @IBviolamom – I like your beach towel idea!

I sent my D with a large ziplock bag of rice in case her phone got wet. I don’t think she ended up using it, but a friend did.

How about a ceramic pineapple? ;))
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/2011338-roommate-brought-22-pillows-4-lamps-7-towels-and-a-large-ceramic-pineapple.html#latest

For real LOL^^.

Clothes steamer. I bought it while waiting on line in a store. Was mocked. But he used it and people on his floor used it often.

S’s roommate told his first thing that he had a steamer. S didn’t get it but I know he will!

Birth certificate and SS card in case they decide to get a job. Do you think S needs Passport too?

Bring small safe to lock things in. We got a very small one. Zip ties are a good thing too. Hole punch.

Bike lock if you are bringing one.

And heavens don’t forget the ceramic pineapple!

I thought I was done with all the shopping (we are leaving Thursday!) but I’m headed to buy an extra hammer and screwdriver for D to keep there. I opted for a cheap iron instead of a steamer. I bought two nice bath towels but am adding an old bath towel for spills or to bring to the fitness center and it’s not that nice in case it gets lost. I also added a couple of old dish towels and a couple of rags (for cleaning or cooking in the dorm). I didn’t buy a safe but I did get an accordian folder that she can use for important papers/documents to have all in one place. Other random items: French dictionary, extra long phone charger, make-up mirror for desk, Clorox wipes, folding step stool, lots of plastic storage bins, and a small supply of paper products (plus two microwavable plates/bowls).
Almost forgot the ceramic pineapple though!

We joke that my daughter will be the one that everybody goes to when they need a mystery item. Actually, we haven’t gone too crazy but she does have a basic tool kit, a sewing kit, and a well stocked first aid/basic OTC medicines kit. Also access to our Amazon Prime account!

Bag of rice is a great idea! Not something to “take,” but consider adding Apple Care to your kid’s phone, if you are getting a new phone for them or you are still in the window during which it can be added. Both my kids killed their phones within the first 3 months of college, and the older one has been pushed into pool, lake etc., also requiring replacement.

Basic medicine chest needs – cough drops, day time and night time cough/cold/flu medicine, thermometer, benedryl in case of unexpected allergic reaction to something new in the environment, Pepto Bismol, contraception.

Pictures from home – for a relatively unsentimental boy who wouldn’t have packed them on his own, we put pics of family and friends in a basic multi-pic frame from Target and just put it on his desk. He appreciated it.

A record of their social security number. I don’t have youngest kid’s memorized, and he needed it for some first day athletic forms as a fall athlete. Had to call our accountant late on a Friday afternoon and were lucky they got back to us in time. I now carry copies of kids’ SS in my wallet and kid has copy too.

Consent forms for medical info – we used basic online forms, and let the kids decide what they consent to. They both wanted us to be able to schedule their medical appointments for sure and then decided what else they were okay with. They took copies to school and we have copies in their college file at home. When they are at dentist, doctor etc. before they go back to school, we make sure they have signed the consent form authorizing us to at least schedule their appointments.

Join Amazon prime and calendar the cancellation just before free trial expires.

To my surprise, our D said she really appreciated the tool kit her dad got her, because she used it several times!

A little off topic, but I think it’s important to investigate the counseling services the school offers and encourage your child to access them if he or she has ANY issues at all. D goes once a week and it helps her tremendously. She also convinced several of her friends to go, telling them it may be the last chance they have to get therapy at no additional cost!

Well @Sue22 beat me to it, but I was going to suggest a ceramic pineapple.

We had to buy some stuff once we were there. We realized we forgot tissue and tape. Also bought a really small fan because D sleeps with her ceiling fan on at night and realized she wanted the white noise/air blowing on her to help her sleep. We also bought a cheap bulletin board and magnetic white board to “decorate” with. We thought these would be very versatile for allowing hanging of pictures posters, etc.

LOLing at the ceramic pineapple! I read that thread earlier this morning before starting this one. That story was nuts!!! 22 pillows! I can’t believe the nerve of a parent to let their child take over an entire room to herself like that.

Oh and I appreciate all the suggestions! I’ve done some of these already!

Here are a few things we sent along…
–I made up a small packet of some over the counter medicines etc. (ex. Dayquil, Nyquil, Advil, Band Aids, Pepto, Cough drops, Neosporin etc.) which came in handy every once in a while.
–Both kids also took a small, think extra blanket (that could be folded up to be quite small) for sitting on the quad (and a Frisbee).
–Moistened cleaning wipes (in the hope they will be used periodically).
–Both kids loved having a Tide Stick handy.
–Small bag to use for gym (so they didn’t have to unpack/repack their school backpack).
–Flashlight and extra batteries (came in very handy once or twice).
–For my D who has a lot of clothing, I did buy a box of those thin hangers and it was very worthwhile. – Depending on closet size, at times both kids used a closet doubler which was a huge help in getting stuff to fit.
–Blue tac and command strips.

And remember, if they need anything the bookstore, Amazon, local stores, and packages from home are all accessible so while it is great to go prepared, don’t stay up nights worrying if you missed anything.

For girls, a white dress and a black dress. These will come in handy even if she doesn’t join a sorority. For boys, at least one nice shirt.

It would never occur to my kids NOT to bring a bathing suit. Anywhere. Mine brought two to England. I don’t think she used them, but she had them.

My athlete daughter needed a small white towel for the weight room. School provides almost everything they need to work out, but no towels. I got an emergency call to go pick one up the first day (I was still at the hotel).

My kids use their passports for everything and thus have no reason to take the SS cards. You really shouldn’t carry copies of SS cards in your wallet. Put the info on your phone if you think you need it. I’m a little obsessed about fraud and I don’t fill out forms with the SSN unless they force me to do so. You do not need to put the number on medical forms, sports forms, or most college forms. Only financial aid forms can require a SSN.

Command strips for hanging things.

If your kid is under 18, they may not be able to buy some standard over-the-counter meds. Anything else they forget they can either buy there or order on Amazon. Except for maybe the ceramic pineapple.