<p>SimpleRules,
Welcome! You’ll find after a while that we discuss FAR more than college here. So since you have launched two into college, you will have advice for us, and with any luck, you’ll stick around with those of us who remain addicted because the company’s so good and the discussion so “lively,” even if it has NOTHING to do w/college.</p>
<p>We consider it our obligation to be here; it’s less time we have to spend haranguing and helicoptering our kids. ;)</p>
<p>Thanks CountingDown - I feel very welcomed now! I’m so happy to get confirmation that I don’t have to give up my new found addiction! I spent the last 2 years trying to get anyone I knew to obsess with me about the college process - no takers - very lonely - now that I have found CC, late though it is, I can’t give it up now, right? My D said I would have to give up CC now that both will be in college but I’ll let her know it is for her own good that I don’t break the habit - it will save them from haranguing - or as they used to call it, ‘death by lecture.’</p>
<p>You don’t really need to write down lists of pharmacies and all. Your child will just misplace it and call or e-mail you with lots of freshman questions. It’s so nice that he finally needs you again!</p>
<p>Do go through the information sent by the college and make sure you keep all the do-in-advance stuff in one envelope, and the move-in things in another. The colleges are pretty thorough about getting you the crucial info, but your kid may not be.</p>
<p>Enjoy the too-short summer, make some memories, and expect some friction.</p>
<p>If you and your spouse do not have your passports, get them now. If your child studies abroad, you may want to visit. Even if that’s not your plan, it’s good to have a passport in case there is an serious emergency when your child is abroad and you have to get on a plane.</p>
<p>Regarding getting insurance for your child’s belongings, I spoke with our agent yesterday. He informed that 10 percent of our policy is devoted to living in dorms. So, for example, if you insure your home for $100,000, up to $10,000 in a child’s belongings are insured. I will not need a rider for him. Now, if he lived off campus, he would need renters insurance.</p>
<p>Also, make sure if your child is not taking a car to college that you change his or her insurance. Our son is not taking a car with him so he becomes a resident student. His car insurance will drop by more than $500 when he goes to school. So as soon as he arrives on campus, the new price goes into effect.</p>
<p><<start collecting=“” bed,=“” bath=“” and=“” beyond=“” coupons=“” now.=“” you=“” will=“” need=“” plenty=“” of=“” them.=“”>>
I found some at <a href=“http://www.retailmenot.com%5B/url%5D”>www.retailmenot.com</a></start></p>
<p>My friend used dorm buys - it looks like a great site: [url=<a href=“Dormbuys.com”>http://www.dormbuys.com/]Dormbuys.com[/url</a>]</p>
<p>before you order linens from the company that sells through your student’s U, inquire at that school’s forum here or elsewhere about the quality/value of the merchandise.</p>
<p>We ordered sheets and towels through the company that had a stuffer in the info from the U. Looked like a reasonable deal. The sheets never softened, even after many washings, and the towels were pretty flimsy. Could have spent the same $ at any number of stores and purchased much better quality. And I did, in fact, purchase replacements after Freshman year, so I could have spent much more for each item and still come out ahead.</p>
<p>I have a neighbor that would second Mafool’s advice…she also ended up buying replacements for those that she ordered off the flyer from her S’s U…
not only was quality marginal, but also not huge selection of colors…which tends to be a bigger issue for girls trying to coordinate everything in dorm…</p>
<p>Anyone looking for towels should check out Kohl’s this weekend. Advertising their “Big One” towels for a little less that $3 each during sale hours. These are actually really nice durable towels in a wide variety of colors. Last time they were this cheap I bought a bunch for myself!</p>
<p>These suggestions are all so valuable. I’m wondering about the debit card that my D already has through our local bank. There are convenience stores here (7-11) that have ATM machines with no charge for any card. I believe they offer this for non-local cards as well. Are there services like that everywhere? Would my D be likely to find that in Poughkeepsie or should we open an account at a local bank?</p>
<p>If the student is attending school in Washington DC, get a Metro Pass. You may also want to consider and Amtrak student card, if riding a train home (or anywhere else) is feasible.</p>
<p>Musicmaker–If D is going to Vassar–Poughkeepsie–they have the V Card which acts as a debit card for many local merchants as well as being used on campus. You can add funds online.</p>
<p>I had no idea the V-card was used off-campus. That solves so many problems. So a local bank account is not needed so much. That’s great.</p>
<p>Thanks, also, to Silvermoonlock. She’ll definitely be buying a monthly student pass for the train into Manhattan. So much to think about…</p>
<p>Time for the discussions about birth control - DD’s for a well-woman check and males for the equivalent. Mucho importante!</p>
<p>Does anyone have a good packing list for clothing for boys? My son is very disinterested in clothing, and I am worried about him not having enough when he gets to school. I’d like to give him a list of # of short-sleeve shirts, long-sleeve shirts, etc. He will also be going from Washington, DC to Upstate NY and has to plan his clothing accordingly. Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>14 undies,2 bags multipack socks(all the same so no mismatch),12 t shirts-his choice from his current wardrobe may need to add some black, grey, white t shirts, 2 long sleeved(if need more can wait until Christmas break)4 cargo shorts, 6 pants/jeans, 1 pair running/all sport tennis shoes, kickin’ around shoes, flip flops for shower and dorm,leather flip flops, North Face/Arcteryx rain jacket-will carry him up to snow season by layering.
Don’t buy in too massive quantities- he needs to do laundry every week - 2 weeks before it reeks his room up.
If preppy then the prerequisite AE,A&F, blah, blah, blah</p>
<p>The tee shirts breed and mulitply, especially freshman year when every club, activity and event is giving out tees advertising themsleves.</p>
<p>Don’t take many of those!</p>
<p>I would highly recommend going through this thread. I know it is long and can be overwhelming, but there is a bunch of good info listed.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/53990-last-years-shopping-checklists-bedding-threads.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/53990-last-years-shopping-checklists-bedding-threads.html</a></p>
<p>I’d go with 16-18 underwear. Sometimes boys don’t do laundry when they should and might need extra to get them to a weekend when they have time. Add several hooded sweatshirts, which should be good for the colder weather.</p>