<p>Check with college on the phone issue. My school requires us to have land-line phones. We have a voicemail number and free local calls.</p>
<p>^^^
And my daughter's college charges something like $350 a year extra if you choose to have a land line phone in your room. It really varies by college.</p>
<p>For the life of me, I cannot imagine a situation where my D would turn to a tool kit.</p>
<p>You might be surprised how resourceful kids can be when they need to be--if your D doesn't directly use the tool kit, her room mate or friend might use it to help D fix whatever needs it.</p>
<p>Are there not tools available in the RA room or at the front desk or custodial office?</p>
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<blockquote> <p>if your D doesn't directly use the tool kit, her room mate or friend might use it to help D fix whatever needs it.<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>D found that GUYs were the ones who often came to borrow her tools. Nice icebreaker...</p>
<p>D never used the computer lock cable that we got her. Should have used it, but didn't...luckily, her computer never was stolen.</p>
<p>The tool kit may or may not be used, but it's a good "just in case" item. Kind of like insurance. Custodial office? RAs? No, kids do things themselves, or ask their friends for help. My three each took a tool kit, and used them.</p>
<p>A couple of thoughts: forget-- the plastic bed-risers-and coat rack-DD threw them out first day. She had room under her bed to put the plastic storage boxes without them. First aid kits are good idea-make sure no Tylenol instead give them ibuprophen...also consider a gift card for local Starbucks/jamba juice or similar.</p>
<p>
[quote]
D found that GUYs were the ones who often came to borrow her tools.
[/quote]
My Ds each had a small toolset at the strong suggestion of their dad - a DIY type of guy. They actually used them a few times and they also had guys and others borrow them. They can be pretty basic (small hammer, normal and smaller phillips and slotted screwdrivers, pliers, electrical tape, girl Leatherman, etc.) but useful for putting things on the walls, helping when lofting beds, opening up a PC, etc. </p>
<p>On the TV, there are different aspects to it that'll vary by college, major, and other activities. A major like CS requires so much HW that it, combined with a couple of other activities, leaves little time for TV watching. However, if a student is taking a major with a lighter HW load (or lighter courseload) and isn't involved in many activities, they'll probably have a lot more free time.</p>
<p>I noticed at UCLA that in my D's building each floor had a TV lounge and it generally was used during UCLA football/bball games, etc. At other times they'd just pile into someone else's room who had a TV but this was generally mostly for games.</p>
<p>RA's & such do usually have a toolkit, but on move-in/move-out day everyone will be trying to borrow the same screwdriver. One of D's roomies has a cute pink set that gets used all the time.</p>
<p>Camp chairs came in very handy for extra seating indoors and out then fold up small for easy storage.</p>
<p>Agree with the need for a first aid/medicine kit. No one wants to search for headache/cold/whatever remedies in the middle of the night or walk to health services for bandaids.</p>
<p>Girls need to make sure they pack feminine products.</p>
<p>Most of the suites at D's school have a TV & DVD player brought by someone. Good for movie/Rock Band nights, sick days, rainy days, exercising in front of, etc.</p>
<p>DUCT TAPE!!!! OMG i am glad i checked this board. My DD is always fixing stuff around the house with Duct tape!</p>
<p>oh...and movie dvd's...a big hit with her dorm-and for times when she was not feeling well and needed a good laugh---The Honeymooners voted the BEST!</p>
<p>I agree with the thank you cards. Someone gave me a pack for my birthday in high school and four years later I'm still using them. Profs really appreciate them if they donated a lot of their time towards a project.
band-aids, fem products, and if he or she lives in a cold climate, (this sounds so weird!) a battery operated sweater de-piller. Any broke college kid who can't afford new clothes but has an interview and needs to freshen a garment needs one.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone! I've complied a box of things already, just so we don't have to remember everything during move-in weekend. This summer has flown by and we are running out of precious days to spend with our college bound kids!</p>
<p>A friend who graduated from college a few years ago made this great suggestion: be sure to pack a t-shirt that identifies your high school or home town -- it makes a great conversation starter. "Did you go to West HS? I went to East HS!"</p>
<p>If your S/D is going to a large enough city, a great gift is an Entertainment Book. There are lots of useful coupons for discounts on everything from restaurants to travel. If you order one make sure it's for next year (2009) which starts November 1, 2008. I gave them as gifts but had to wait to actually send the books til they came out in the fall. Just go to Entertainment.com.</p>