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Post by renateb on Jun 2, 2015 16:16:21 GMT
First time sending a kido away to collete. Think minimalist. What does he really need? He will be 3 1/2 hours away without a car but free campus bus service that can get him to Walmart among other places. (WalMart gift cards for sure).
Also, what should he not take? There are so many lists on-line. I think it mostly applies to girls but I could be wrong.
And while I'm at it, what types of things do parents send in care packages and how often? He will probably miss home for a while as he adjusts (I hope so anyway).
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Post by ntsf on Jun 2, 2015 16:20:48 GMT
meds, small tool set, two sets sheets, one set towels, bathrobe, computer lock, small cabinet to organize office supplies, printer, and paper, laundry popup hamper...not too much in way of clothes.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
Jul 8, 2014 20:17:31 GMT
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Post by scrapaddie on Jun 2, 2015 16:37:12 GMT
I sent my dd new pictures of the dogs, cookies, jelly beans, Smart water... To make her smarter . And seasonal toys... Bubbles, frisbees,etc
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Post by anxiousmom on Jun 2, 2015 16:51:40 GMT
According to my boy, the best thing I sent with him was a 10 foot charging cord for his i-devises. He loved it so much that for about two weeks he sent a picture of it every day in a new place being useful- as if it was his pet. He probably wasn't quite as grateful for, but would have noticed the absence of things like sheets, towels, and the like.
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Post by rst on Jun 2, 2015 16:54:35 GMT
I'd skip the bathrobe -- most kids wander about in sweats. Until you know how much space he has in his dorm room -- don't buy anything. My sons opted not to take their own printers -- their departments accept mostly e-submissions, and there is a common use printer in their dorm, as well as in the department and the library-- with free printer use.
Items I know my sons used and like: Noise cancelling head phones to use with their computer games, music etc. Clamp on light to use for reading in bed but not disturbing roommates. Small fan (depends on the area and the specific building, of course). Collapsible tote to take toiletries to bathroom/shower. Power outlet strip (if dorm allows them) Electrical outlets are a premium -- lots of things to charge, limited outlets, and more than one person wanting them. One of those extra-power packs for phone or ereader is a nice thing to have too. A favorite pillow, or maybe a new, good quality pillow.
There are some things that it works best to wait a few weeks and see if they're useful or important -- a mattress topper if the bed is very hard. A mattress cover if it's not already a plasticized type, an area rug if the floor is cold or grungey, an electric kettle if allowed and he thinks he'd use it, same with popcorn maker. Specific solutions for place to put keys, place to put water bottle at night, some way to secure money and valuables, etc -- all easier to address after he's been in place for a little while and sees what the needs are.
As far as care packages -- I sent an occasional post card, but honestly, I think DS # 1 preferred texting. I also send starbucks gift cards or Amazon gift certificates. Not a lot of "Stuff" or baked goods or anything, just cause that's not our style, but lots of affirmations that I'm thinking of them, love them, am still there if they want to talk.
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Post by liya on Jun 2, 2015 17:01:06 GMT
Command strips and hooks.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 2, 2015 17:14:18 GMT
I'm working on this list as well. Our challenge is that I have a kid with sensory issues who is going 1,300 miles away. I bought his comforter a few weeks ago and he is sleeping with it to get used to it. Hopefully it will feel more like his own bed. I also found an extension cord with outlets every 1 foot along the cord. I thought it would work well under his loft or on his desk. He will need a pair of waterproof hiking boots to walk around campus in the snow, so as soon as REI has their fall Merrell line out, I'll buy those.
I have several things in my Amazon cart and will have them shipped there just before we leave for move in day. There's no point in hauling it 1,300 miles! A fan, a clamp light, a bin thing to hang off his loft for his book and glasses, mattress pad, pillows... We are debating if he will need a bike. If so, he will buy one there.
I'm trying to pay attention to what he needs on a daily basis here and adding it to the list. Notebooks, pens, power cords, etc. I also have a plastic bin in the basement that I'm tossing stuff in as I find them (including Command hooks!)
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Post by rst on Jun 2, 2015 17:31:31 GMT
I found that I am much more excited about command hooks than my son was. I set him up with a multi-pack, and between the roughly textured walls and the fabric surfaced lofted bed frames in his first dorm room, he didn't have a whole lot of places or reasons to use them, so he brought back almost the whole pack. I think they fall into the "put it in your amazon cart and send if/when needed category."
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basketdiva
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Jun 26, 2014 11:45:09 GMT
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Post by basketdiva on Jun 2, 2015 17:34:39 GMT
Be sure to check the college's website for anything that might not be allowed. Some places have restrictions on what can and can't be used in the dorms.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Jun 2, 2015 17:39:57 GMT
I have a freshman college student, and a just graduated college dd. Now this is for girls. I really don't think boys take alot. My youngest dd has alot of guy friends, and this is what I have noticed. Do NOT take a bathrobe! ha. He will be LOL'd at. Nor pack alot for a guy. They like the basics pretty much.
2 sets of extra long twin sheets. 3-5 extra long towels. Bath caddy (to take shampoo, razors, etc, back and forth) most of the guys were sweats and flip flops-shorts, even in the winter. a fan laundry basket and soap
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MerryMom
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Jul 24, 2014 19:51:57 GMT
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Post by MerryMom on Jun 2, 2015 17:46:29 GMT
Usually the college website will have a sample packing list and it includes any restrictions or will note if the beds are extra long twin size.
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 19:17:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2015 17:52:02 GMT
DH said he took some multi-use tool and it got "borrowed" a lot. It wouldn't hurt to have a small box that had mini screwdriver (think battery compartment sized heads) along with a regular sized screwdriver, pliers, and a wrench. He can quickly become a girl's hero by having a basic tool on hand.
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amom23
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Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Jun 2, 2015 17:56:35 GMT
Dorm rooms are super small so maybe wait until he has a chance to meet his roommate before buying/bringing bigger items. My DS brought the printer to share, his roommate brought the TV, etc.
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sharlag
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Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Jun 2, 2015 17:56:36 GMT
I skimmed the responses so far, and didn't see one thing that DD found helpful. Those thingies you put under a bed's legs to make the bed taller-- just 6 inches or so can really be great for more storage room under the bed.
Then, of course, boxes or storage tubs to organize the stuff that you shove under the bed...
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 19:17:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2015 17:56:42 GMT
Minimally he needs a week's worth of seasonally appropriate clothing, bedding, personal hygiene needs, supplies like notebooks/pens and a book bag. THen have $$$ on hand to fill in anything else he may want based on availability of other campus resources. For instance, on my campus there are several free places to print. I just need my work on a jumpdrive and go to the library (open until 1 am most days) or to the building's computer lab (open until 10 pm most nights) Maybe not as convenient as a printer in the room but I only had a few things that had to be printed. My campus is going paperless so most things are turned in via D2L/dropbox. A printer is an unnecessary expense and an item that takes up space.
KNOW THE RULES ABOUT HIS DORM before taking advice on fans, coffee pots, extension cords/power strips. Some dorms are going to nix these to prevent overload of the electrical system and fires.
Keep in mind too that every item moved IN has to be moved OUT and put into storage over the summer. Dorm residents don't move in as freshmen and stay in the same room until they graduate. The more he has the bigger an issue end of year moving becomes.
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Post by liya on Jun 2, 2015 18:02:22 GMT
I found that I am much more excited about command hooks than my son was. I set him up with a multi-pack, and between the roughly textured walls and the fabric surfaced lofted bed frames in his first dorm room, he didn't have a whole lot of places or reasons to use them, so he brought back almost the whole pack. I think they fall into the "put it in your amazon cart and send if/when needed category." DD used a ton in her dorm room and her off campus apartment. She just moved back home and bought some for her room here because they were so handy for her and she got used to using them. I guess I'll wait and see if DS needs them.
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Post by cyndijane on Jun 2, 2015 18:09:40 GMT
I have a freshman college student, and a just graduated college dd. Now this is for girls. I really don't think boys take alot. My youngest dd has alot of guy friends, and this is what I have noticed. Do NOT take a bathrobe! ha. He will be LOL'd at. Nor pack alot for a guy. They like the basics pretty much. 2 sets of extra long twin sheets. 3-5 extra long towels. Bath caddy (to take shampoo, razors, etc, back and forth) most of the guys were sweats and flip flops-shorts, even in the winter. a fan laundry basket and soap This is what I was going to list- along with cash. He'll take what he wants- music, game system, laptop, etc. Amazon Prime will quickly deliver anything he finds he needs- and you don't have to lug it there.
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Post by maryland on Jun 2, 2015 18:14:15 GMT
Great thread! I have a daughter starting college 5 hrs. away in the fall, so this will be a great list for me too!
I love the tool idea. That will really come in handy for her. She is never one to ask for help, always wants to do things for herself.
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Post by maryland on Jun 2, 2015 18:16:00 GMT
According to my boy, the best thing I sent with him was a 10 foot charging cord for his i-devises. He loved it so much that for about two weeks he sent a picture of it every day in a new place being useful- as if it was his pet. He probably wasn't quite as grateful for, but would have noticed the absence of things like sheets, towels, and the like. anxious mom, I always read your posts and think we have the same kid! My daughter sounds so much like your son.
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Post by maryland on Jun 2, 2015 18:19:50 GMT
I have a freshman college student, and a just graduated college dd. Now this is for girls. I really don't think boys take alot. My youngest dd has alot of guy friends, and this is what I have noticed. Do NOT take a bathrobe! ha. He will be LOL'd at. Nor pack alot for a guy. They like the basics pretty much. 2 sets of extra long twin sheets. 3-5 extra long towels. Bath caddy (to take shampoo, razors, etc, back and forth) most of the guys were sweats and flip flops-shorts, even in the winter. a fan laundry basket and soap I am glad to see that bathrobes are not recommended. My daughter never uses one, but I thought maybe it would be something to get her for college. Now I will save my money and put it towards something different.
She doesn't want to take a lot with her either. My parents are 20 min. from the school, so she will keep off season clothes, and other things there, and they can bring them to her as needed. She doesn't like a lot of "stuff" either. Just the basics!
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Post by finsup on Jun 2, 2015 18:30:12 GMT
The only time in college my son wore a bathrobe was when he was home on breaks because he was no longer used to how cold we keep the house! In fact on parents weekend sophomore year I watched him very politely introduce himself to and shake hands with someone's mom while he was wearing nothing but a towel. :face palm:
He went very minimalist and daughter brought everything but the kitchen sink and had my Amazon password to get anything she "needed" with Prime.
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Post by rst on Jun 2, 2015 18:34:32 GMT
If ever there is a great time for those laundry detergent pods, college dorms would be it.
And here's my oldest son's freshman roomie story (tiny room with 3 guys). One roommate could not believe that you can actually wash sheets and pillow cases. His mom sent him Amazon deliveries of sheets, and he'd just throw them out. He mocked my son for washing bedding, like it was some weird penny pinching environmentalist thing to do. LOL He did not believe it to be common practice, despite other roommate chiming in that it's what people do. We assured my DS that most people do have freshman roommate stories to tell -- either that, or they are the subject of someone else's roomie tales.
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 2, 2015 18:52:47 GMT
Watch out for extension cords, I think many schools won't allow them. Power strips are okay though. -- power strips (more than one) -- laptop -- long internet cord -- is that an "ethernet" cord? My dd was in an old dorm the first year and the wifi was iffy. Her second-year dorm didn't even have that option so we bought a router. Next year she's in an apartment with reliable wifi. -- command hooks -- something to haul laundry to and from the laundry room in -- bedding -- sheets, blanket, etc. -- school supplies -- dd has a favorite notebook, pen, etc. that we buy at Staples, and no Staples in her little college town, so we bought them ahead of time. Only problem the first year was that we forgot second semester wasn't a continuation of the first semester classes. lol. We were still on high school mentality. -- However, if your ds isn't picky about these things then he could just wait to get them from the bookstore or Walmart. -- basic clothes -- don't forget some warm clothes even if you think he'll be home before the real cold weather. Here in Virginia college students move in during a typical August blazing hot day so it's hard to think of sweaters. But it could be cold weather before fall break. -- microwave (if allowed), and mini-refrigerator -- easy cook things like individual mac and cheese, oatmeal packets, etc. Dd and her roommate used the microwave a lot, in spite of me thinking they wouldn't. lol -- whatever other personal things he wants -- game system, tv, etc. According to dd it's the girls who take too much, not the boys. oh and eta: if you're going to use the laundry pods which someone suggested above, and which are a great idea for dorms, be sure to try one out at home first. I mean, if you don't use them, or that brand, at home. We've always used Arm & Hammer here at home, but we bought dd some Tide pods to take to college. The morning after she used one for the first time she woke up with a horrible rash everywhere that had touched her sheets, pillow case, etc. It was horrible, poor thing. This was like her 2nd or 3rd week of her freshman year. oy. The nurse told her that Tide has this reputation and every year there were kids into the clinic with Tide rashes. ugh. Anyway, try out any new detergent before hand. (my dd has no allergies of any kind so this wasn't even on our radar.)
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 2, 2015 19:06:53 GMT
oh and eta: if you're going to use the laundry pods which someone suggested above, and which are a great idea for dorms, be sure to try one out at home first. I mean, if you don't use them, or that brand, at home. We've always used Arm & Hammer here at home, but we bought dd some Tide pods to take to college. The morning after she used one for the first time she woke up with a horrible rash everywhere that had touched her sheets, pillow case, etc. It was horrible, poor thing. This was like her 2nd or 3rd week of her freshman year. oy. The nurse told her that Tide has this reputation and every year there were kids into the clinic with Tide rashes. ugh. Anyway, try out any new detergent before hand. (my dd has no allergies of any kind so this wasn't even on our radar.) Interesting! We use Tide pods at home and I'm allergic to everything. But I've never had a problem that I know of. I will randomly break out in a rash, but not every night. So I'm assuming it's not the Tide!
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wenchie
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Post by wenchie on Jun 2, 2015 19:09:47 GMT
Condoms Ibuprofen Antihistamine like Benadryl Zyrtec Claritin Band aids Triple antibiotic ointment Hydrocortisone cream Tums or pepto bismol Delsym for cough Eye drops for eye fatigue dryness Toothpaste A couple of toothbrushes Deodorant Soap or body wash Razors Condoms
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Post by mommaho on Jun 2, 2015 19:14:01 GMT
All great ideas! DD over packed when she started college in 2006 and sent a lot of things back home with us, luckily we were only 1 1/2 away! A few things that might come in handy:
Windex (or some kind of cleaning solution) Paper Towels Microwave Popcorn A Large box of Dryer Sheets - stick them in their shoes or wherever - it will help keep the room smelling fresh! Bean Bag type chair (if space allows) because she got so tired of sitting at her desk or on the bed.
Best of luck!
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Post by knit.pea on Jun 2, 2015 19:21:16 GMT
This is the kit I put together for graduates. All fits in a Sterilite clip top small bin (15 x 11 1/2 x 3 1/4). (List accumulated from lots of Pea suggestions!)
Door stop (these are not usually "approved", but they come in handy on move in day)
Hammer (small) Screwdriver mini set Multi tool Vice grips slim Mag Lite Keyfob LED flashlight (tiny) Gear Tie set of 2
Aquaphor Bacitracin Bandaid variety pack Advil tube Benadryl Tums Imodium Hand sanitizer Sunscreen
Febreeze (mini) Tide laundry mini stain stick Clorox To Go wipes Foam ear plugs Gloves (pack of 10 disposable) Heat pack Cold pack
Sharpie, click top type Stapler Double sided tape Packing tape Regular tape Duct tape mini rolls Rubber bands Single use Krazy Glue
Contac tabs, hooks
Scissors Pencil sharpener
Safety pins Split rings (~1 inch size) Sewing kit
Camp utensils (or spork)
Stain removal list, laminated
Ziploc bags in various sizes
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Post by lbp on Jun 2, 2015 19:47:16 GMT
If he doesn't know how to do laundry, teach him NOW. DS did his laundry at home, but not things like towels, sheets, etc. He called the first week panicking and said he had washed his brown towels with his roommates white tee shirts and now his roommate had beige tee shirts! I sent him to Walmart for bleach to rewash the tee shirts and all was good!
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Post by scrappersue on Jun 2, 2015 21:01:04 GMT
Air Fresheners
We waited until move in day and then went to the local Walmart to pick up things. But boys are messy. They don't do laundry very often, they don't empty their trash very often and they never dust. When I came back at Christmas the place was covered with dust and grime - ick. I used Clorox wipes on every surface. And the place needed some major air fresheners. Most of the "stuff" we bought or sent was not used. The small fan, the surge protectors, long iphone cords, clip on lights were used. For care packages I sent treats - baked goods, snack bars he liked, etc. And cash. I know my daughter will be so different - she will want the whole nine yards. And no he never used a bathrobe and to honest he never used the shower caddy either - just carried shampoo and body wash down the hall.
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iowgirl
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Post by iowgirl on Jun 2, 2015 21:02:39 GMT
Yep! My girls had those. They said the are the absolute best thing ever. Their beds are lofted. They could have their phones hooked up to the charger and still have it up in the bed with them. I bought DH one to use at home. Get them from Amazon - dirt cheap - get several!
2 sets of sheets? My girls got by with one. I can't, in a million years, see my son ever changing his sheets. LOL! I badger and remind him to bring them home during breaks to have them washed - I only send the bottom fitted sheet and a pillow case. I assume they actually go back on the bed. Who knows. He has a blue jean quilt that is a sheet, blanket, and top all in one. I used a high quality sheet for the backing, and nice lightweight blanket for the batting, and the jeans for the top.
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