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Post by smalltowngirlie on Jul 12, 2016 17:34:14 GMT
I know there have been a ton of threads about kids going off to college and I have read them all, but there are still questions we have at home. We look on the schools website, but a lot of our questions are more of "What have you and your college kids found works the best?" and many of our questions are really dependent upon the student, but here it goes..
Was it easier for your child to have liquid laundry detergent or the detergent tabs?
How did you decide to either buy, rent or use and e-book for their class books?
What actual school supplies were needed? ETA - beyond the basic school supplies, what office type supplies, like stapler paperclips, etc. With so much done electronically is this even needed now?
Yes, this is my one and only child and I was a freshman in college 30 years ago and it has changed a little bit since then.
If anyone else has questions, please feel free to ask them on this thread because the ladies here that have BTDT are such a wealth of information it is scary at times, but I LOVE them for it. Maybe put your questions in red so they stand out in your post.
Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences it helps me to help my DS as he gets ready to move on and out.
ETA - DS will be making these decisions, but he has been asking our thoughts. When I went to school you bought used or new text books and then prayed the books were needed next semester so you could sell them back. Renting was not even an option at that time.
He does his laundry, but we have the big jug that does not have to be hauled around, it stays in the washer. He is very lucky to have a washer and dryer on his floor to make laundry pretty convenient for him, but he will still need to haul supplie back and forth.
I know stores are available to pick up whatever is needed, but if we have the stuff at home I would rather have him take it with him than having to spend his limited money on schools supplies. He is on a very limited budget so the more he can bring from home the better, plus we have a tone of that stuff around here.
DS asks questions, we look for answers and then I come here. I really respect the BTDT advice everyone shares.
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Post by ntsf on Jul 12, 2016 17:35:59 GMT
pods are easier let your kid do the price compare after the first class...to see if book is actually needed.
school supplies can be picked up as needed.
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Post by kelbel827 on Jul 12, 2016 17:37:58 GMT
Renting books was easiest, but occasionally we bought used in Amazon and traded them back for Amazon credit. Most semesters, we weren't spending a ton because of the credits.
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ellen
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,128 
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Post by ellen on Jul 12, 2016 17:57:18 GMT
We bought used books from Amazon when we could. She rented a couple too and that was slick. There were a couple she had to get from the bookstore because we couldn't find them anywhere else. I let her figure out what to do about laundry.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Jul 12, 2016 17:59:24 GMT
Was it easier for your child to have liquid laundry detergent or the detergent tabs?-Tabs were easier. less mess.
How did you decide to either buy, rent or use and e-book for their class books?-My oldest dd we bought the books online at Amazon, then traded them back at the end of the semester with the books she didn't want to keep. Renting from the college was a big PITA. Youngest dd, her books are all included in her tuition. It's great!!
What actual school supplies were needed? Whatever he/she wants. My girls just bought some pens and pencils, a few notebooks, but they did notes on their laptops a lot.
Mainly. STOP stressing. It all works out, and things can be bought as they go. Either from the local target/walmart, the college bookstore or amazon.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
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Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Jul 12, 2016 17:59:33 GMT
Laundry tabs are easiest. That way he/she doesn't have to haul a liquid detergent bottle up and down the stairs (if applicable) along with the laundry basket. It's much easier to toss some tabs into the basket before heading to the laundry area.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,378
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Jul 12, 2016 18:02:49 GMT
My dd rents and buys books, and she makes that decision based on what class it is. She prefers regular textbooks and is not a fan of ebooks. If she doesn't want to haul a book around, she photographs the pages she needs and uses them in Notability on her iPad.
I helped her with textbook sources during her first year, but now she's totally on her own with that.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 12, 2016 18:09:10 GMT
I'm a graduate student right now and I wanted to chime in about books. I got an ebook exactly once. I found it very inconvenient to lug my big computer around all over the place. With a regular book, I could take it in my book bag and use it at work, etc. I take advantage every time I have a rental option. It is significantly cheaper. Be careful when buying books if you go with used books that you have any additional items you may need. I know that with my accounting courses, there were online components for homework, for example, that you could not easily get the access you needed with a used book.
On school supplies, I found it helpful to have just pens and notebooks. Some kids like taking notes on a computer, but that is not me. I still like old fashioned notebooks with hand written notes. In the past three years of graduate studies, I have not once had the need for a printer either. Everything has been handed in electronically. A good laptop, though, that has Word and Excel is a must. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:46:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2016 18:12:06 GMT
One twinkie likes liquid and one likes pods. We don't use pods at home due to well/sewer system.
We try to buy all books used online through Amazon. They are cheaper than used through the college bookstore and generally get them pretty fast. We sometimes have to buy brand new through the bookstore if they aren't on Amazon yet. We haven't rented at all.
They each got a laptop case, backpack, pens/pencils, a few spirals/3 ring binders and paper. They usually like a planner/agenda. They took their scientific calcs for the semesters that they had math classes. Other than that they bought when they got there.
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Post by heckofagal on Jul 12, 2016 18:49:32 GMT
You need to find out if the dorm they will be staying in uses HE detergent. I just bought my kid liquid. As far as books and supplies, we've learned its best to have basics and see what is needed after class starts.
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,699
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Post by basketdiva on Jul 12, 2016 18:53:56 GMT
Laundry falls under the category " their resoinsibility. Hopefully they have been doing their own laundry for a few years and can figure out on their own.
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Post by Linda on Jul 12, 2016 19:05:35 GMT
Laundry falls under the category " their resoinsibility. Hopefully they have been doing their own laundry for a few years and can figure out on their own. to me - all of those things fall under that category  When my oldest was in college - he bought his own books - used when available, he didn't prefer e-books. I know he picked his science class (gen.ed. req.) based on the fact he knew someone selling the textbooks cheap...he was the only non-nursing student in his A&P class Even in high school - my kids pick out their own school supplies (I pay for them in high school, they do in college) - they are the ones using them and they know (or figure out) what works best for them I think the hardest part of sending kids to college is LETTING GO but it's so important to step back, let them make decisions, and yes, make mistakes. |
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Post by littlemama on Jul 12, 2016 19:19:43 GMT
Laundry falls under the category " their resoinsibility. Hopefully they have been doing their own laundry for a few years and can figure out on their own. to me - all of those things fall under that category When my oldest was in college - he bought his own books - used when available, he didn't prefer e-books. I know he picked his science class (gen.ed. req.) based on the fact he knew someone selling the textbooks cheap...he was the only non-nursing student in his A&P class Even in high school - my kids pick out their own school supplies (I pay for them in high school, they do in college) - they are the ones using them and they know (or figure out) what works best for them I think the hardest part of sending kids to college is LETTING GO but it's so important to step back, let them make decisions, and yes, make mistakes. Well, as a 46 year old woman, sometimes I need or want guidance when I am doing something new, so I don't see why my kid turning 18 and going to college would magically make him ineligible for advice on things he has never done. On this forum, people ask for advice on things they have never done before all the time.
As for the OP, the pods are lighter and more convenient - I will say in cold water, it takes them a while to dissolve.
Books, we are not sure what we are going to do yet. I think we will rent the first semester to see how that goes, maybe try used the second semester, and then when he begins classes in his major, we will buy.
School supplies, I think just the basics- pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, a stapler, colored pencils to start, and you or he can fill in as needed. I don't remember needing anything special immediately - we knew if we would need something with advance notice.
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basketdiva
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Posts: 3,699
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Post by basketdiva on Jul 12, 2016 19:25:32 GMT
Well, as a 46 year old woman, sometimes I need or want guidance when I am doing something new, so I don't see why my kid turning 18 and going to college would magically make him ineligible for advice on things he has never done. On this forum, people ask for advice on things they have never done before all the time.
I understand advice on something new but my point is an 18 should know how to do laundry and what supplies are needed. Now asking Mom what she recommends or Mom asking the child which they prefer so she can send it with him is fine too.
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Post by Linda on Jul 12, 2016 19:28:38 GMT
Well, as a 46 year old woman, sometimes I need or want guidance when I am doing something new, so I don't see why my kid turning 18 and going to college would magically make him ineligible for advice on things he has never done. On this forum, people ask for advice on things they have never done before all the time fair enough but if you read my examples - my kids learn to do laundry and shop for school supplies well before they go to college. YMMV I can see books as needing advise but it's going to vary by major and by school - and whether one likes ebooks or not. Not all courses have used or rental books available so the best bet might be to ask around at the college in questions (especially students in the same major) I think a lot of times as parents, we can't control much of what happens once our kid leaves for college - and stressing over the little details (laundry soap, school supplies, what to pack) helps us feel in control still (and needed still) at a time when it feels like we're not anymore and we're maybe not ready for that yet. But I also think that it's valuable for our kids (young adults) to do the research and ask the questions and figure it out for themselves - if they take liquid laundry soap and their roommate has pods, they'll figure out if one works better than the other and will know what they prefer when they buy it again. If they buy an e-book and find out that reading on their laptop is a PITA then next semester they'll weigh the cost savings vs the convenience. |
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Post by cmpeter on Jul 12, 2016 19:42:59 GMT
Pods here...easier to just carry a few with you to the laundry room and overall less messy.
Books...we did a combo of purchasing at the bookstore or renting via Amazon. He prefers to rent.
Supplies...a couple note books, pencils and pens. Once class started he bought anything additional the instructor asked for.
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
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Post by raindancer on Jul 12, 2016 19:52:35 GMT
Rent all the books you can. Especially those that aren't in her major. It saved me so much money. I also rented books in grad school and purchased them after if I felt they would be useful later.
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Post by LuvAgoodPaddle on Jul 12, 2016 19:52:35 GMT
He plans to use pods just because it's easier. I'm going to let him figure out books but did let him know there is not an unlimited supply of used/rental books for saving money, so don't wait until the last minute (which he will!). I'm going to let him know what others have said here about ebooks though. And like Linda said, if he doesn't like ebooks, he can change it next semester. It's his decision to make. For school supplies anything forgotten or needed he can get at the bookstore on campus.
I'm taking him shopping before we leave and he can pick out what he needs, rather than letting him just figure it all out once there. He's going out of state and also won't have his car (CA kid moving to state with ice & snow). Thank goodness for Amazon Prime and Pantry though for later!
I can't believe we only have a little over 4 weeks now. One of those weeks we are on vacation, so only 3.5 weeks left! I'm a planner so it's really hard for me to sit on my hands and not prepare. I am though because he has to figure it out himself!
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Kerri W
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Location: Kentucky
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Post by Kerri W on Jul 12, 2016 19:55:25 GMT
Was it easier for your child to have liquid laundry detergent or the detergent tabs? How did you decide to either buy, rent or use and e-book for their class books? What actual school supplies were needed? 1. Pods are easier 2. Rented every opportunity because neither of them had books they thought they'd want to keep later on. I will say though that they both said they rarely buy/bought books until they had attended class the first time to see if they even needed the book. 3. Notebook, pens, post-it notes, highlighter. Although both of them do most of their work with their computers and they carry their computers to class. And in the words of my uber logical DH "You are NOT sending them to a third world country. Wal-Mart or Target are on every street corner. If they don't have something, they'll go buy it!" I was probably a little obsessive and he was right! lol (And it just occurred to me...I will have three of four children in college next year. Good lawd. DD2 is starting her masters, DD1 is NEVER going to finish her bachelors and DS1 will be a freshman.  Somebody go start a gofundme for the KerriW family, please. ) |
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Post by littlemama on Jul 12, 2016 20:03:55 GMT
Well, as a 46 year old woman, sometimes I need or want guidance when I am doing something new, so I don't see why my kid turning 18 and going to college would magically make him ineligible for advice on things he has never done. On this forum, people ask for advice on things they have never done before all the time fair enough but if you read my examples - my kids learn to do laundry and shop for school supplies well before they go to college. YMMV I can see books as needing advise but it's going to vary by major and by school - and whether one likes ebooks or not. Not all courses have used or rental books available so the best bet might be to ask around at the college in questions (especially students in the same major) I think a lot of times as parents, we can't control much of what happens once our kid leaves for college - and stressing over the little details (laundry soap, school supplies, what to pack) helps us feel in control still (and needed still) at a time when it feels like we're not anymore and we're maybe not ready for that yet. But I also think that it's valuable for our kids (young adults) to do the research and ask the questions and figure it out for themselves - if they take liquid laundry soap and their roommate has pods, they'll figure out if one works better than the other and will know what they prefer when they buy it again. If they buy an e-book and find out that reading on their laptop is a PITA then next semester they'll weigh the cost savings vs the convenience. My kid does laundry as well, but uses the giant bottle of Costco liquid that we buy. Not exactly practical for college. He does know about the pods though and has expressed that that is what he wants to use. I am admittedly a little cranky today, and I know my post came across that way, so I am sorry for that. I do agree that they need to make their own choices, but there is nothing wrong with giving them advice that they can choose to accept or not. :-)
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:46:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2016 20:13:44 GMT
All of my kids complained at the dorm washers were awful, that the pods didn't work well and ended up switching to liquid.
We've rented books from Amazon and purchased from either the bookstore, Amazon, or other students. Just keep in mind that some books have online access codes that only come with new editions. You can purchase the codes separately, but sometimes there is no cost advantage to doing that.
Supplies were printer, extra reams of paper, toner, pens, pencils, highlighter, stapler, a couple of spiral bound notebooks and a laptop. Depending on the school you also might need a router.
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all4fun
Shy Member
Posts: 39
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Post by all4fun on Jul 12, 2016 20:22:37 GMT
We purchased used books for any class in his major. Rented the others.
Four years of high school will show you what they need regarding school supplies. Did they use flash cards, highlighters, post it notes? Whatever they used in HS to maximize their learning and organization should be used in college.
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Post by scrappersue on Jul 12, 2016 20:25:45 GMT
I'll just chime in that my kids do liquid (we buy the little bottles of Tide) because that is what THEY use at home. Never thought about pods and I guess neither did they.
Books - at both of the colleges my kids go to the bookstore is getting smart and has a comparison tool that compares their book costs (new, used, rental) to other sites including Amazon. So if for instance my kids want to buy a used book if it is $2 more at the bookstore over Amazon they will just buy it at the book store. But they both have rented a lot of their books through Amazon - super easy if you are a prime member (free shipping both ways). And of course both have classes where you can only buy the book at the book store and it is usually expensive and loose-leaf (three hole punched for a binder). The whole textbook industry is a racket in my opinion.
Don't sweat on asking these questions I remember feeling the same way when my first went off to college. The nice thing is that if you forget something or need more school supplies they can get them later.
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Post by compwalla on Jul 12, 2016 20:35:47 GMT
I was broke as hell in college and bought the least expensive laundry detergent I could get. It was up to me to control the mess.
As for books, it's going to depend on the class. My kid starts school soon but he's living at home so things are easier.
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Post by Clair on Jul 12, 2016 20:43:00 GMT
[quote I think the hardest part of sending kids to college is LETTING GO but it's so important to step back, let them make decisions, and yes, make mistakes.ote here[/quote] This. I say offer advice and let your kid decide. Asking for advice here is great but let the kid ask advice of his peers. You will be amazed at the wisdom you child will obtain as they figure these things out on their own. As to books - it varied by major, class and school. There is no right answer. Sometimes the best option was even borrowing from a friend. Over the years I've seen many posts here about what kids need to take with them when they move into dorms. I cringe at many of the responses. Things are so different from school to school. Even dorm building to dorm building. One of my kids would have been kicked out of the dorms for many of the things the peas suggest. One had a dorm room freshman year that was so small almost none of the things the peas suggested would possibly work. We wasted money on over thinking what we thought would work. As a mother whose last kid just finished college... give them a credit card so they can buy just what they need from Amazon. You will find it is much less than you think! |
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Post by Linda on Jul 12, 2016 20:51:31 GMT
I am admittedly a little cranky today, and I know my post came across that way, so I am sorry for that. ((((Hugs)))) I'm sorry you're having a cranky day...it's hot here and I'm probably a bit cranky too - so I apologise as well. |
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on Jul 12, 2016 20:51:44 GMT
Pods are great for full loads but if they are doing a smaller load, way too much soap.
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Post by Linda on Jul 12, 2016 20:53:34 GMT
As to books - it varied by major, class and school. There is no right answer. Sometimes the best option was even borrowing from a friend. I was broker than broke as a college student - I used to read the books at the library (on reserve so you couldn't take them out of the building) and didn't buy them at all. That worked especially well for books where you weren't using them the whole semester but just needed to read a chapter or so |
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Post by anxiousmom on Jul 12, 2016 21:07:35 GMT
I caught a glimpse of my son's 'to take with him' list. It was all I could do to not laugh. Essentially, it was clothes, his x-box, the 'box o'linens' that has been collected and a pillow. I asked about actual school stuff and he said sure-his computer will fit in his back pack along with whatever else is there from his previous school year.
Beyond that he says 'I am now 18 and no longer your responsibility. If I need something, there are stores and I am perfectly capable of figuring out how to get it.' So I figure I will make a little box of stuff I am pretty sure he will need like toothpaste and shampoo and soap and then let him sort it out.
He is hell bent on doing this on his own. The good news is that he really isn't nearly as alone as he thinks he is-his girlfriend is one floor down in the same dorm, his step-brother is about a block away, four or five of his friends are in the surrounding dorms, we have aunts and uncles and cousins in town (along with my best friend) and his girlfriend's family is right there too. If he needs something, there are a whole lot of people around to help. And my guess is that if he doesn't want to do his own laundry, a quick trip my aunts house will have someone helping and a good home cooked meal to tide him over.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,975
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Jul 12, 2016 22:01:03 GMT
Pods and my kids made their own decisions regarding books. One rented a lot; one bought. All their responsibility for getting and returning, if renting. And school supplies were bought as they needed them. Didn't want to get highlighters if they weren't going to be used, for example.
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Somebody go start a gofundme for the KerriW family, please. )
