<p>Dear Fellow Parents,</p>
<p>I found when it came time to pack for boarding school, there wasn't a lot of especially useful information out there....even from Exeter itself. What follows is a copy of an email I sent to a friend whose son is joining Exeter in the Fall. She'd written me with a several questions about logistics and packing. This is definitely a low-maintenance boy list. If there's a mother of a girl out there, it would be helpful if you'd post something to help, too!</p>
<p>--FORWARDING--</p>
<p>These are EXACTLY the questions I was asking last year. Blows my mind that there's such limited information out there!! So here's a total brain dump, which I hope makes at least marginal sense:</p>
<p>So...yes it's completely true that we're supposed to dump them off on the move in day to get their life together. No pre-scouting, no pre-studied floorplans, just GO. And, actually, it's doable. </p>
<p>What I did last year was arrive a day or two in advance of the move in day so we could shop for most everything locally, rather than moving/shipping things across country. We loaded everything into our hotel as we purchased it, and then carted it over in the SUV we rented for the dropoff trip. </p>
<p>I stayed for a few days after move in, and I almost felt like I was there too long. As hard as this transition is for us, the kids get into the swing of things and kind of want you to move on (I think that makes it easier for them, too). But it was good to be there at least one full day after move-in to get things he didn't know he'd need, once he saw the room, what his roommate brought, and we'd figured out the room's best layout. </p>
<p>BED, BATH & BEYOND has a shopping service where you can basically "register" a shopping list locally, and they'll have it all waiting for you at the store near Exeter...no obligation to buy anything; just pre-shopped and set aside. Start saving your 20% coupons now (they'll honor as many as you have...and around back to school time, sometimes there's a magical 20% off your entire purchase coupon--find that!!). This was great for stuff like comforters and pillows, etc. that you won't want to have to pack (and pay luggage or shipping costs for!). Plus, you and your son will enjoy going through the store with the UPC gun, scanning items and creating the list.... Some of their stuff is reasonable, some pricey...so beware that you don't HAVE to get it all there. There is a TARGET and a WAL*MART near school, too, as well as a mall about 30 mins away. Anything you can avoid having to buy and pack at home, you may want to get out there. No sales tax in New Hampshire means everything will be 10% cheaper than at home, too..... Just create a comprehensive list before you go so you can organize your shopping.</p>
<p>Also, if you're not already a member of AMAZON PRIME, I've found it's well worth the investment. Free 2 day shipping of pretty much almost anything he could possibly need...and because Exeter is near some sort of Amazon distribution center, purchases often get there in just one day. You can order things to arrive the first week of school (or any time afterwards, if need be) and not pay for shipping. Also, things that are SHIPPED to New Hampshire are also sales-tax free.</p>
<p>The main thing I bought and packed back home were clothes. Their laundry is picked up weekly (2 separate pick up days), so you don't need a million things...but he will get tired of wearing the same stuff, so a little more than a week's worth is good--also, it's good to have extras in case he misses the laundry run and needs to stretch it to the next pickup/drop off.</p>
<p>Dress code requires a collared shirt and tie (or turtleneck), but allows any pants; khakis and jeans (and maybe some cords?) rule the day. There's definitely a more "preppy" vibe back East than what we're used to in the West, and in the Spring, you'll see guys in yellow, green, pink and plaid pants, etc. Lots of Sperry topsiders, too.</p>
<p>Pants are easy to re-wear without washing, so again, he doesn't need a ton. My son asked for a lot of undershirts, because he always wears them with his dress shirts (extends wearability and they're warm...plus you can strip off your prep-wear and hang out in the tshirt James-Dean-Style in the dorm). Speaking of which...they do wear "dorm pants" (like sweats, and/or flannel PJ bottoms) and sports shorts a lot around the dorm. Also, he'll have PE almost every day, so be sure to give him some track pants/sweats/long basketball shorts and workout shirts to wear with those, to last him a week. Given the sweat, those aren't so nice to re-wear without washing. </p>
<p>Don't worry about his Winter stuff when you're moving him in in September. It's going to be pretty warm...even hot, cooling off a bit in October and November. You can bring his winter coat and warm snow boots, thicker socks, long underwear, etc. to Family visiting Day in October, or if it's looking like a mild Fall, you could even wait until he comes home for Thanksgiving and have him drag that stuff back--so don't think you have to think a whole year in advance. You can build as you go.</p>
<p>Moving-wise, I packed most everything into large duffel bags (I used a suit bag for the dress shirts, just because I had it and they all fit, hanging). The great thing about the duffels is that they hold a ton, but fold up into nothing when it's time to store them. He has one medium sized suitcase, which he uses to travel back and forth with when he comes home for breaks. He doesn't need to pack much when he comes home because I keep clothes home for him (which I control the washing of, so he doesn't need much!). </p>
<p>There's usually a cubby to store suitcases and other "deep storage"-type items in the dorm room. They can also stow stuff under their bed...although it can get pretty dirty under there!</p>
<p>Speaking of cleaning: Vacuum cleaners are available to kids, but it seems like they are RARELY used. Loathe to admit my enabling, but I do deep clean his room every time I go out there...despite the fact that I set him up with a Swiffer mop (great for dorm rooms), ez cleaning wipes and a dust buster. The boys rarely clean beyond picking their stuff up (and even that's only on occasion!). They need to take out their own trash (which they argue with their roommate about), and some dorm supervisors do occasional room-checks for basic livable-clean, but they are really on their own....</p>
<p>So here's a sort of list, with comments to keep in mind:
(And remember, you can easily get almost all of this stuff in Exeter, or on Amazon, so you won't need to pack it or ship it.)</p>
<p>CLOTHING
(Layers.... Yes, the Winters are FREEZING. It's cold outside, but hot in class and in the dorms)
10-12 Dress shirts
5 ties (this is a minimum, I'd say. my son has many more & likes to be able to change things up. humorous ties are not discouraged as long as they're "appropriate")
10 Undershirts
10 Casual Tshirts/Polos
2 Heavy Hooded Sweatshirts
2 Sweaters
2 Polar Fleece Zip up or pullover
Mid-weight warm jacket (could double as raincoat)
1-2 Turtlenecks (if he wears them he gets a pass on the tie)
12+ Pair of Underwear
12 Pair of Socks (some tall, some short)
2 Pairs of Shorts
1-2 Pair of "nicer pants" for dressier occasions
3-4 Pair of Khakis
3-4 Pair of Jeans (can also add cords if your son wears them)
1-2 Belts
3-4 Pajamas/Loungewear
6 outfits for PE (sport shorts, sweats, track pants, etc. & shirts/sweatshirts)
Bathrobe
Shower Sandals (yes, they get athlete's foot in those shared showers!)
Athletic shoes for PE
Shoes that work well in mud/rain
Cheap dress shoes
Blazer and/or suit - nothing fancy (you can wait on this; he won't need right away, and maybe not at all!)<br>
Athletic wear as needed (if he's playing a particular sport, you can get what he needs later)</p>
<p>For the colder weather:
Warm Scarves (don't pack too many; the more they have, the more they tend to lose)
2 warm hats
Two pair of gloves (1 waterproof)
1 Pair of heavier snow boots
Super-warm Winter Jacket (NorthFace, Columbia, LandsEnd, LLBean etc.)
3 Pair of heavy duty thermal long underwear
2 Pair midweight long underwear
Balaclava (optional)
Waterproof insulated pull on pants (for snowball fights on the lawn) (optional!)</p>
<p>BEDDING
They supply basic flat sheets, blanket a couple of basic towels and a pillow. You'll want your own stuff--especially fitted sheets!
Bath Towels (2 - 4)*
1 beach towel<br>
Wash Cloths (4)
Comforter/Bedspread/Duvet/Blanket
Pillow(s)
Fitted Sheets Sets (XL Twin) + Pillowcases
Zippered Mattress cover (recommend!!)
Bed Topper (tempurpedic, eggcrate, etc.)
Bolster pillows to sit up in bed with</p>
<p>APPLIANCE-TYPE ITEMS
Computer & Printer & all necessary cables (note: you may want to enroll in a cloud back up service, just in case)
Possibly a lock for his computer? Depends on the dorm sitch.
Graphing Calculator (TI-89)
Telephone (there is a line to the dorm, but my son has NEVER used it, and unplugged it. You may not need it if your son has a reliable cellphone)
Reliable, Loud Alarm Clock (unless he's happy with his phone for waking him)
Fans (it's HOT in the Fall and there's no a/c; plus sometimes it's nice to get the air moving in the winter)
Humidifier (if he's sensitive to the dry air and heat in the winter)
Lamps, Desk Lamp (the rooms tend to be a little dark)
Reading light for bed</p>
<p>TOILETRIES
Shower Tote
Hairbrush/comb
Shampoo/Conditioner (the boys tend to like the all-in-one)
Emergency Kit, to keep in Room: Nail Clipper, Neosporin, Bandaids, Advil, Allergy Med, Tums, etc.)
Toothbrush/paste/etc.
Face wash, acne med, etc.
Microshaver (for quick touch ups)<br>
Electric shaver (or razor) if your son has a full beard.</p>
<p>OTHER STUFF
Reusable Water Bottle (Exeter is a green campus; you can't get plastic disposable water bottles there)
Backpack
School Supplies - you can pick up some stuff before school begins, but he'll know better what he needs once he gets into his classes. Most everything he'd need is available at the campus bookstore; other stuff can be ordered online or picked up at Walgreens, etc.
Underbed Storage totes
Dry-erase board/bulletin board (if helpful)
No-Mar Wall tapes for hanging stuff
Toolkit
Rug for in front of the bed (especially if room isn't carpeted)
Nightstand/table (better with drawers--more storage)
Hangers (they do get shirts back on hangers, but he may want a few of his own that aren't wire)
Clothes hamper
Desk Chair (one is provided, but it's pretty hard and stiff. not a necessity unless this bugs you!)
Garbage bags (some are provided, but these seem to always come in handy)
Cube Cubbie storage/cheap shelves (as needed)
Clothing Labels (for clothes and all belongings, just in case!) (order this summer: Labeldaddy.com is good; the labels are stickon, and stay on)</p>
<p>DO NOT BRING:
(anything with any significant wattage will overwhelm the electrical systems in the dorms, and can also be fire hazards)
Electric Heaters
Halogen lamps
Hotpot/hotplate
Refrigerator
Iron/Ironing Board
Microwave
Trashcan
TV
Toaster</p>
<p>That's my for now brain dump. Hope it hasn't completely overwhelmed you! For the most part, as I said before, you'll get a lot of this stuff in Exeter, and you'll get a better feel for what he needs as the time gets closer. </p>
<h2>Just remember you can always send more stuff, or get it to him on one of the trips back and forth (there are a lot at the beginning of the school year between Family Visiting Day, Thanksgiving and Winter Break).</h2>
<p>...oh, and one more thing. Tissues. They'll be for your tears. The kids will be fine.</p>
<p>Hope this has been helpful to those looking for answers!</p>
<p>Congratulations on your upcoming adventure--</p>
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