<p>Sorry if this has been discussed someplace else. Please direct me if so.</p>
<p>We are making the trip with our son up to his college in ten days, and have been busily making the necessary purchases from the list supplied by the college--XL linens, shower caddy, trash can, etc. I'm thinking, gee, this is way easier than packing for say, Boy Scout Camp. But I come on here and hear of mountains of stuff hardly fitting in the car, and I'm thinking what are we missing/forgetting? Several families mentioned a TV, parents talk about wearing clothes suitable for moving furniture... Our boy is kind of a minimalist, but I want him to truly have all he might need/appreciate--it will make me feel better if for no other reason! Right now our pile is pretty small.</p>
<p>What are your sons/daughters bringing besides the standard list and clothes?</p>
<p>Honestly, my son is a minimalist too. He isn’t bringing anything other than clothes, bedding, cleaning supplies, toiletries, his computer, his IPod,…I think that’s it. He doesn’t want a tv, videogame system, etc. He may get a mini fridge. So far, he doesn’t even have anything to put on the wall. As a girl, this is insane to me. I did make him a small photo album with pictures of family and friends. I don’t think we’ll have any issues loading the car, but I guess I could eat my words when the day gets closer and the pile of stuff is complete.</p>
<p>Just came back from the supermarket with my daughter who leaves day after tomorrow. We bought a couple of cases of beverages, some cereal, micro wave soups, popcorn, etc. Her roommate arranged for the micro-fridge, and this morning our daughter asked if we could bring a TV. Other than those items, computer gear, and linens, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot more than clothes. </p>
<p>I suggest you start minimal and only add as-needed. If there’s something he ends up needing/wanting I’m sure he can find it around there or you could send it to him or bring it to him on a visit. A lot of people bring way too much stuff on move-in day and a lot of these people end up bringing it back home with them or the student has to live with an overly cluttered room with stuff in their way.</p>
<p>Last year when we moved our daughter in for the first time, we brought the essentials. The car was packed to the gills with all the bedding, footlocker, clothing, art supplies, carpet, etc. needed.</p>
<p>No TV, no game system…her roommates were bringing those. We didn’t pack any food or cleaning supplies because we knew we’d make a trip for stuff like that once we got there (they have soda, snacks and toilet paper everywhere, not just at home!).</p>
<p>After she got her stuff in the dorm and began organizing, we started a list of essentials she’d want. While she continued to unpack, my husband and I went to the local Target and bought what was on the list.</p>
<p>We arranged to rent a small climate-controlled storage unit near her school to store items she wouldn’t need at home for the summer: her desk chair, all the bedding, some books and supplies, etc. It turned out to be quite a few things (all packed in large rubbermaid containers for easy stacking) and cheaper than renting a U-Haul to bring it home and then back again this fall.</p>
<p>The most commonly forgotten items, IMO are hangers and extension cords. Our son’s school actually had a tent set up to sell these items and there were plenty of customers!</p>
<p>A small first aid kit, standard OTC meds (painkiller, cold meds, etc.), duct tape. and a small tool kit (ours was maybe $12 from Target or BB&B) and he should be set with what the school lists.</p>
<p>As I posted previously, I think the items that took the most space when we made the delivery trip were our son’s big shoes! Oh, he did contribute the fridge. That was bulky.</p>
<p>So we’re just finishing packing and it’s coming out to 3 suitcases plus his athletic equipment bag (will be on varsity). Includes suit, sport coat, several dress shirts, dress shoes, books including books for fall class, 2 sets of sheets, 2 towels, comforter with duvet cover, light quilt, winter jacket and gloves along with his routine clothes (pants and tshirts). Wondering what we are missing…</p>
<p>Plan to make a target run but don’t plan to buy much, wastebasket maybe, some office supplies.</p>
<p>D is glad that she and roomie didn’t bring a TV. The room next to hers has a TV and kids are hanging out there 24/7. The unfortunate roommate is complaining that she can’t get any sleep. Besides there is a TV in the lounge with cable and HBO (for watching True Blood!) D was fairly minimalist since we flew in 2 suitcases, 2 duffels (mostly clothes and dance stuff). One run to BB&B and Target for bedding and bulky stuff.</p>
<p>Mafool - Hangars are a good suggestion. We did sheets-etc BBB dorm shopping in July (we left the stuff with family nearby). I only thought to get hangers due to CC recommendations. My son is the one that though about getting a power strip. I was surprised to see him also grab a bottle a Fabreeze, highly recommended by one of the Dad of boy on CC. </p>
<p>I think it is good to have an ethernet cable for the laptop, even if the dorm has wireless.</p>
<p>I like the idea of laundry tablets. Collapsable laundry bag is nice. Or a laundry basket if you are driving (not flying).</p>
<p>I think power cord/surge protecters are necessary and a good sized fan if the dorm is not airconditioned. I also think a small desk lamp or a light that clips onto the bed is a good idea so the overhead light doesn’t have to keep the room mate awake.</p>
<p>Don’t forget:
–garbage can and trash bags
–ethernet cable
–pop up mesh laundry hamper with handles
–well stocked first aid kit (including motrin or tylenol, cold medicine, benedryl, antibiotic cream, bandaids, stomach med like Imodium).
–desk lamp
–hangers
–medical insurance card
–debit card/checkbook
–pillows
–cell phone charger
–cheap shower sandals for the community bathrooms
–a good surge protector power strip (some schools require a certain brand)</p>
<p>OK. Definitely hangers and power strip–useful info! And great idea about making a list as you are helping your student unpack and settle in. Of course there is a big Target in son’s two-college town. Also liking the comforter and cover in addition to the lighter quilt–he’s going north. Thanks for the input and good luck to all sons, daughters and parents! It feels more exciting than sad at the moment, but I’ve had my moments and I’m sure I’ll have more.</p>
<p>francie, Even though my D is at a college in the midwest, she never used the comforter. She said the room was always too hot, and a mid-weight blanket was all she ever used. A good oscillating fan, on the other hand, was essential.</p>
<p>A couple of other things: A toolkit is golden, as has been mentioned, as well as a can opener. D used her lapdesk every single day to study on her bed. If there’s room, one of those folding drying racks for hanging wet towels. And a small rug next to the bed felt like a luxury to her, although guys might not care so much about feet hitting the cold bare floor in the morning.</p>
<p>We are going with a little more than the basics. D will switch out clothes at the end of Sept. Some of the suite mates are coming from across the country and sounds like they are bring everything they own (one suitcase full of shoes!)Don’t now where they plan on putting it four girls may be sharing one closet.At least two will be.Roommate let my daughter know that they need to be creative on organizing because she is bring so much.My feeling is they each have halve a room and not fair to other person if they intend to have crap all over the place.Don’t know what they are thinking but sure wish parents would step up and say you have finite space and that’s it,it is no longer about you! That’s my beef for the day!</p>
<p>I agree with minimalism to start with. We ended up bringing back fans, etc after the first year that had never been used. Any additional needs you can ship (and it’s a good excuse to send a care package).</p>
<p>Francie,
I wonder where you are heading! “Our” area had 2 universities, too, and freshman move-in was the same time for both. Target, BB&B and Walmart were all happy madhouses and running our of many items.</p>
<p>Your student will discover buses and/or friends with cars who will be making Target runs later in the week or month.</p>