Sending son off to college - what does he need?

I sent my dd new pictures of the dogs, cookies, jelly beans, Smart water... To make her smarter . And seasonal toys... Bubbles, frisbees,etc

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.

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!)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

anxious mom, I always read your posts and think we have the same kid! My daughter sounds so much like your son.

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.

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.)

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

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

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.