Are irons allowed these days? My kids (well, my girls) had to use dorm irons and boards down the hall. No appliances that produced heat were allowed in their rooms.

We do a lot pf holiday decorating at our house. My daughter packed Halloween spider webbing and some Christmas lights to decorate her dorm room during holidays. She enjoyed the decorating so much that she went a little crazy at Target to supplement what she brought from home. It definitely made her room a popular place to hang out.

{{gwi:1749887}}

At my daughter's school many parties and events have themes. Eighties, Mardi Gras, Luau, tacky Christmas sweater. etc. A bag with mardi gras beads, a lei, sombrero, etc. might come in handy.

Don't make yourself too crazy trying to think of every possibility. She's not going to a deserted island so she will be able to buy or borrow things too.

Walmarts is college towns really stock up for dorms, so it might pay to wait and see what her roomate has and then go pick up the cheap stuff like buckets and shower curtains. Our kid's dorm rooms were so cleverly outfitted. Beds that had build in bolsters like a couch and pulled out just a bit for sleeping. Huge storage drawers underneath and shelves above the closet and built in desk. You almost have to see it to know what will fit. I would emphasize what others suggested about drugs. Being sick away from mom is much easier if you are prepared with aspirin, pepto, allergy pills, etc. There are a lot of thefts in dorms so keep things modest and replaceable. (Lock up that lap top!) We really liked those 12 for $3.00 washcloths from Walmart. They can serve as washcloths, dish towels, mops, etc, and can be tossed if they won't wash clean. If she has a car consider AAA or some other emergency service and be sure she knows how to use it. Reminder: schools can no longer send you your child's grades unless your child approves it in advance. Also, be very careful about where you park. My son parked unknowingly in a restricted area of his dorm. (reserved for the atheletes - go figure) and the next time he went to his car (the next weekend) he had FIVE $50 tickets! I know you didn't ask for all this, just wish someone had told us!

Microwaves, coffee makers, holiday lights and anything hanging from the ceiling were all prohibited at my daughter's dorm. A call to the housing office to inquire about restrictions might be a good idea.

DS could not have anything that gets hot. DD they provide microwave and are ok with coffee makers. Variety abounds. I can't imagine room assignments have not been made. My DD sure wishes her new roommate would respond and get some of these who is all ready has what issues settled/decided. She has a B-day present waiting in the balance!!

Oh, your shopping list is too long for me to read. In my memory, I went to college only buy things myself!

**QUESTION: any experience with the university sanctioned groups on campuses (mainly fraternity guys earning $$ for their houses)that you can hire ahead of time to move all your kid's boxes, etc. into their dorm room for you? Not unpack them, just carry them up from your distant (LOL) cars up to the dorm room.

DD's school had an earlier move in day freshman year and the college provided upperclassmen volunteers who helped get all of the incoming students' voluminous belongings into their dorm rooms. No charge, save a nice tip if you are moving alot of things up several flights without elevators! Unfortunately, this was a luxury exclusively for incoming freshman. Ugh, the subsequent years were a zoo. Also, doing the same at the end of the year was even worse.

We moved the bed up to the highest setting and DD used the space underneath for plastic drawer boxes that held extra clothing, etc.

Less is better. One of the first things my DD did with her roommate was a shopping trip to buy some curtains for their room. They were a good match, and have roomed together for all 4 yrs. Also, I think I would wait for the roommate assignment to puchase communal items. That way things are not duplicated.

DD will be starting her senior year, I can't believe how fast the time went!

So excitng for your DD.

I can't add anything, but just wanted to say, when you're on the interstate about 10 miles from me (I'm in the central part of the state), I'll go wave our football flag and welcome her! lol.

OH!!! She needs lots of Crimson and Cream clothes for sure! :)

Tell her game day on campus is a blast!

My daughter is heading into her sophomore year. Kinda miss shopping for all the college stuff (but not the spending $ part!) My daughter goes to school 8 hours from home and in a cold climate, so she needed to take just about everything up with her (she flew home for her short 10 day Winter Break). One thing I would have done differently is to bring more storage. Her closet was pretty small. She lofted her bed and stored a lot of clothes, etc under the bed. If you can fit in your car, I would bring stacking plastic drawers in different sizes to hold clothes and also small stuff. If you can't use them, bring them home and return. Other suggestions, a nice mattress pad or a foam eggshell topper to make the hard mattress more comfortable. My daughter loved the Tide pods; easy to carry to laundry room. Cold meds! I swear she had a cold the entire year! Lots of Command Strips and hooks. My daughter could not nail anything into the walls (they get charged at end of year for each hole). It's not easy to hang bulletin boards. And she asked for a long mirror -- maybe an over the door mirror would be good. Surge protector with lots of outlets to charge all those electronics. Small alarm clock. I know they like to use their phones for that, but then they have to make sure their app stays open all night. I would also suggest a printer for the room and not to depend on the library's printer. My daughter goes to a small school and there were plenty of helpers to carry all of her stuff on move in day. She's going up early this year and is going to be one of those helpers! Good luck and enjoy!

Since you already have the basics why not wait until next month when her roommate and room type assignment arrive. That way there's room for involvement from all and it just might mean you have to buy less. Plus it will give your daughter the opportunity to include her soon-to-be roomies in some of the decor decisions.

All this brings back fond memories! Enjoy this time.

Didn't read the whole thread, but if someone didn't mention room darkening curtains, they were always a big hit with the teens.

I've already sent three girls off to college, so I'm kind of a pro at this, now. haha

Coins for W/D and vending machines

Extra chocolate stash is always appreciated

A party kit - cute girlie napkins, desert plates and brownie mix has always been a bit hit with the dorm mates. :) (Every dorm has always had a shared kitchen somewhere.)

Extra car keys if she's taking a car.

A big hit? Spray wrinkle releaser. (She will have to hide the bottle.)

A nice warm throw to cuddle in.

Wow, did this post bring back memories of my eldest going away to school 3 years ago. There are so many lists circulating out there of things to bring and she bought into every one of them! We had to rent a Ford Expedition to bring everything (6 hrs from home) and it was packed to the gills.

If there is a Walmart/Target/drugstore, etc nearby, she can always pick up things she needs. I'd send gift cards so she'd get mail.

Also, keep USPS Flat Rate priority mail boxes at home or in your car. You can send things she needs with no weight restriction (like the marble bookends my DD forgot!)

Items my DD was glad she brought:
2 sets of sheets
4 bath towels, 4 hand towels, 12 washclothes
Laundry line and clothes pins
Folding drying rack
LOTS of command strips
Fan (even though dorm had AC, room still needed it)
Full length mirror
Rolling cart with drawers to supplement desk/dresser
Tool kit (was borrowed many times by other girls and their parents!)
Long network cable for computer (because network drop was on opposite side of room from her desk).
Small TV
Clip on lamp for lofted bed
Heavy duty electrical extension cords (several) and heavy duty surge/battery backup and a few regular extension cords
AA and AAA batteries
Flashlight

Holy crap. What happened to pack that new suitcase we bought you for your graduation and here's a bedspread and 50 bucks. It better last you all month. lol

Definitely a memory foam mattress topper, it makes a big difference on those crummy dorm beds. Extensions cords are helpful too. Safety pins, duct tape, and lots of command hooks and strips and cord clips. I have 3 kids in college, and 2 of them are girls, who require twice as much stuff as the boy! The worst is the one in a city school on the 11th floor (in an 18-story building) with 2 tiny elevators. On move out day, we spent most of the day waiting for the elevator, all while paying to park.
Something my daughters like is the Vera Bradley wallet/clutch that holds a phone, their ID card, and money. Youngest DD uses it so she can swipe her transit pass without taking it out.
Good luck, take lots of deep breaths, and enjoy your summer with your daughter!!

Steph, that was about what I did!

DD graduated 4 years ago, and the two things that come to mind that she mentioned several times and even bought as graduation gifts for friends who graduated hs after her were a hanging canvas 6-shelf sweater bag and a shoe one as well. The second item was the Vera Bradley wallet/clutch that holds a phone, their ID card, key fob, and money that a previous poster mentioned.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sweater and shoe shelf

Just thought of something else we brought for move in day, which had all the other parents admiring: a small hand truck so that we could stack 3 boxes or plastic containers on and wheel into the dorm. I found a folding one at Home Depot for under $30, and it's been more than worth it.

Someone told me her son put several fitted sheets on his bed at once and would just remove the top one if it got dirty. Not that I think this is a good idea, but I suppose it's better than nothing. Washing sheets is pretty low on the average college students' priority list!!

Lynn, the most valuable thing we found was bringing a small lift dolly. It enabled us to move our daughter in, in record time. Oh my gosh, the "stuff" they have--- so different from our sons!
The other thing was....my daughter always had a little gift waiting for me, IF I didn't cry when she left ~ just saying.... :)

If it were my husband, he would bring a handtruck.

Wow, did this post bring back memories of my eldest going away to school 3 years ago. There are so many lists circulating out there of things to bring and she bought into every one of them! We had to rent a Ford Expedition to bring everything (6 hrs from home) and it was packed to the gills.

If there is a Walmart/Target/drugstore, etc nearby, she can always pick up things she needs. I'd send gift cards so she'd get mail.

Also, keep USPS Flat Rate priority mail boxes at home or in your car. You can send things she needs with no weight restriction (like the marble bookends my DD forgot!)

Items my DD was glad she brought:
2 sets of sheets
4 bath towels, 4 hand towels, 12 washclothes
Laundry line and clothes pins
Folding drying rack
LOTS of command strips
Fan (even though dorm had AC, room still needed it)
Full length mirror
Rolling cart with drawers to supplement desk/dresser
Tool kit (was borrowed many times by other girls and their parents!)
Long network cable for computer (because network drop was on opposite side of room from her desk).
Small TV
Clip on lamp for lofted bed
Heavy duty electrical extension cords (several) and heavy duty surge/battery backup and a few regular extension cords
AA and AAA batteries
Flashlight

With my oldest DD, her college was a plane ride away. We were able to ship one large box with all her bedding. We brought suitcases with all her clothing and then did the Target run for the rest of the things. It is true that you sometiimes just don't know what you will need until you are in the room.
My youngest was 8 hours away. We packed as much as we oould, but also did the Target run after she was unpacked.
Both my girls had debit cards that were linked to our account.
I also like to give gift cards to the various coffee shops and eateries.
I went to a local college for under grad and a train ride away grad school. I knew that when I had kids I would want them to have the college away from home experience. This is just an exciting time, filled with possibilties. There is just no other experience like it.

I have a son so our list is pretty short.

He is concerned about the fridge and MW.
I hate the freezers in most compact fridges, does anyone have experience with one (under $160) with a separate freezer? I found one online Haier and at Sears. The Kenmore one at Sears doesn't have great door storage though.

I'm not understanding something: When they give you the roommate decision, will they also tell you whether you daughter will be in a suite, with a shared bathroom (or similar "not shared by more than 4 people" arrangement), or in a room that has a communal bathroom/shower down the hall?

I think your daughter, just to be on the safe side, should make sure she has a terrycloth or cotton robe! (We had suites/4-share bathrooms in my college, but when I went to spend a semester at a college in D.C. senior year, it was a communal bathroom with 5 individual showers (just with vinyl curtains) down the hall. Hated it! Why do university administrators think those are acceptable?)

And I'll suggest this item -- as someone already did -- even tho it will take up a lot of space in the car: A vertical plastic slide-out bin tower. Think vertical for all storage -- she'll need places for a lot of little things: her stationery supplies (tho I wouldn't load up on everything Staples has -- if there are printer stations across campus, they'll have some of that stuff), her health/beauty stuff; her microwave popcorn, coffee stuff; all the odds-and-ends.

What kind of fridge will she have? You've made sure that Brita pitcher will fit? Sounds like a stupid question, but you never know! Or Brita has bottles with filters. Either way, don't forget extra filters!

If she routinely uses washcloths for her face, think about where she will hang them up to dry if she ends up with a communal bathroom.
Agree on the shower caddy: Necessity if it's a communal bathroom, but even if she shares with just a couple roommates, so her stuff remains hers and not "borrowed."

And yes, a fan. Absolutely a fan.
Ditto on the umbrella AND a good raincoat. She won't be able to "wait out" a storm if she has to get to class!

I wouldn't worry that you're forgetting something here or there. There are bound to be places she can get to for something she really, really needs, or you can care-package it to her. It's a step toward independence for her to figure out a solution!

"with 5 individual showers (just with vinyl curtains) down the hall. Hated it! Why do university administrators think those are acceptable?)"

I find this so hilarious!! Our little darlings are so SPOILED!! Millions of young ladies have gone off to college. If yours hasn't had the experience of NOT having every little want fulfilled she is in for a treat and SHE WILL SURVIVE!! It is time she GREW UP and since too many moms and dads are too soft hearted to imagine their babies "roughing" it, IT IS ABOUT TIME!!

our baby is off to college in august too. he is a boy, so alot of coordinating stuff isn't a priority...

from our other 2, things i've learned:

1.)they lofted their beds, so risers weren't necessary--if there isn't that option to loft the bed, tall risers are essential so that there is underbed storage! plastic bins for folded clothes, etc under bed.
2.)our other 2 had an in dorm sink- not all dormrooms do. but, lysol wipes for the sink area if there is one and a bathroom rug to stand on in front of the sink.
3.)a rug for the floor! bring a vacuum when you visit to give it a good vacuuming!
4.)advil, bandaids, and cold medicine if they tend to get colds... my one son tends to get chest congestion with colds, so guaifenesin is a must for him! allergy medicine/epipens if needed!
5.)a sewing kit from a hotel is plenty-for boys at least!!
6.)a hanging cloth storage unit or hooks/caribiners for bed storage if the bed is lofted...great place to store the bike helmet too! and, hangers are def necessary for storage!(even for t shirt/polo shirt storage for boys!)
7.)a large mug- for cocoa/tea, cup a soups, & ramen snacks in the dorm... these are the only things, besides popcorn that the microwave was used for by my kids i think... often there's a kitchenette on the floor.
8.)definitely a surge protector or at least an extension cord with multiple outlets since dorm rooms often have minimal outlets. many dorms have restrictions as to what electrics can be brought. a FAN is essential! (and it is amazing how WARM some dorms are kept in the winter!)
9.)a good pad and mattress cover is much appreciated! i wouldn't get a bedbug cover! (i would have the school replace the mattress if i saw that there were bedbugs in it tho!!!) i think only one set of sheets were ever used by my kids...
10.)i sent ~ 3 bath towels with my guys... and a beachtowel...
11.)LOTS of underwear and socks!!! (this might be different for girls!)

**remember, you can always send packages for what is forgotten or that they discover they need!! my kids always liked getting packages in the mail!! goodies, halloween decorations, christmas lights, paperback books, etc!! and, just like we adjusted without ALL the comforts of home when we went to school, so will they!!

Arcy: Everybody needs some privacy! Especially for showering! Now, this was back in 1984 -- yes, I survived (and I didn't go off with even a tiny fraction of the stuff today's kids go to college with!) -- but still it was gross!

And, I have a suspicion that all the stuff kids think they're taking to college will suddenly be pared down once the packing of the car begins and the parents -- and siblings along for the ride, perhaps -- realize just who will have the job of hauling it to the room!

It's been a busy weekend here, but I've been catching up on all the suggestions here sporadically. I don't have time to post much now, but will later today.
Just a few clarifications for the record:
1)I think someone misread my original post: the university dorms do provide a bed, desk and chair. We just don't know at this time if it will be a standard x-long single bed or a lofted x-long single. Hope to hear from them this week on that.
2) DD knows her requested roommate and they stay in touch online almost daily as to what they want for their dorm room, what they're buying or want to buy,etc. We're now just waiting to hear that their rooming request has been granted, but think it will be.
3) we'll be driving DD to college in our big Sierra pick-up truck that has a hard, lockable, secure, cover on it. It's storage capacity is quite large . . . but of course, her dorm room will totally not be large, so we're definitely keeping that in mind. Well, a least DH & I are. I'm sure that Emily will have a rude awakening when she sees it for the first time, despite kind of remembering her big brother's freshman dorm room nine years ago and me showing her pics on OU's website.

Busybee,

A a mom to boys I first read you comment about lots of socks and undies and thought, why not limit them, they'll do laundry more often if they don't have clean socks! Then I snapped back to reality and realized my teen boys after showering with Axe shampoo, conditioner and body wash, or other smelly products, spraying themselves with cologne, will think nothing of putting on dirty socks, and based on when I used to do their laundry, possibly used boxers. Yes it is disgusting.

I found this list of what to bring (and what not to bring) at Cornell:

Here is a link that might be useful: Cornell: what to bring

When my hub was in college, he wore his shirt, socks, and underwear into the shower, soaped the shirt with bar soap, rinsed it, peeled it off and hung it, dripping, on a hanger, did the same with his socks and underwear, then washed himself! Every day, every shower. Says the only time he had to do laundry was when his two pair of slacks and jeans needed washing, so he'd strip his bed and take his sheets and pants to the laundry.

This was back in the dark ages of the early sixties at the u of
Arizona, and things dry very quickly in the desert. The men showered in giant multi-head shower rooms, no curtains, and I guess they all did their laundry this way. Very resourceful.

Shermann, I think the dark ages lasted until the mid-seventies, at least. You know all those "I had to walk 10 miles in bare feet in the snow" stories? If I were to compare my own go-to-college experience to Lynn's daughter's, it would sound just like one of those stories.

Was your husband by any chance an engineering student at U of A? Mine was. He didn't live in a dorm, but he had classes at 7:00 AM.

I don't think I'm hijacking but I might be taking a slight detour. I apologize, if necessary, but I bet Lynn would like a break right about now anyway.

Also a mom to a boy here and I must say that he is rather unconcerned about his dorm room. I'm the one saying don't you need this or that and then he goes "oh, yeah". :)

(We had suites/4-share bathrooms in my college, but when I went to spend a semester at a college in D.C. senior year, it was a communal bathroom with 5 individual showers (just with vinyl curtains) down the hall. Hated it! Why do university administrators think those are acceptable?)

I know that there are plenty of parents and female college students who don't like the communal bathroom setup, and I don't have an opinion on that one way or the other, unless it's that I hope every student is comfortable and happy in their university living arrangement. But as far as college administrators thinking that setup is acceptable, there are many parents like me and students like my daughter who don't have a problem with it at all. At the university my daughter attended her freshman year, the traditional hall style dorms with communal bathrooms (including the vinyl shower curtain stalls) was the most popular arrangement. The university had to limit their traditional hall space to only freshman in one building and half freshman in the others because so many upperclassmen wanted to live in the traditional hall style buildings. Their suites and apartments filled up last. This was probably because of location primarily and also cost.

I really like the traditional hall setup with communal bathrooms for many freshmen. I realize there are some students that are so uncomfortable it's just not practical for them. But just last year I had several upperclassmen female students at my daughter's university tell me they made a lot of friends their freshman year by chatting with other girls in the bathroom, of all places! I was surprised when they said that, but it makes sense.

So I guess my point is that even though it feels gross to some students and parents, I'm sure administrators have to consider a lot of factors when they keep the traditional hall arrangement. I'm glad my daughter had that option as a freshman, and I'm glad that's the option she chose. Again, I realize it's not for everyone.

Excuse me, as I have to comment on the tangent... I agree with daisyinga...

We had communal bathrooms w/ plastic curtains (one bathroom per floor of about ten rooms/20 girls.) The rooms were ridiculously small= Two small closets, two extra-long twin beds, two tiny desks and a tiny walkway between each set. That was it. It was all half the size of my current master bedroom.

As an 18 year old, sleeping a few feet away from a complete stranger for a few terms and sharing a shower with 19 strangers wasn't inconvenient or a big deal. Instead, it was a nice transition into my adult-life and part of the college experience... Really, none of us knew any better as we'd just been sharing a bathroom at home (typically) with parents/siblings/whatever. It threw us into a new experience together...

It has been slightly over ten years since that experience, and several of those girls (including my stranger roommate) are now dear (hopefully lifelong) friends. The bond that is created from living in close quarters with all those people is indispensable. Now, I realize not everyone had a good roommate or a positive experience, but most of us in my dorm did.

All in all, I am very thankful I lived in the dorms. The sharing wasn't a big deal as a transition, but one year was enough for me. :) I can't imagine moving into that now after having lived on my own!! :)

Looking at some of these lists you get the feeling they are moving to Antarctica with no possible source for anything. In real life, everything is easily available at any drugstore/WalMart/KMart or even on campus in many cases.

Part of the fun of living away from home is going shopping for your own things for the first time, without Mom.

But then I went to college in the semi dark ages!
Our dorm, didn't have air conditioning in Sarasota, Florida!

Glaserburl - I'm right there with you, he wants a fridge, microwave and his snowboard. The BB&B list is an advertisement for BB&B. I suppose girls are pickier, but I just got DS towels on clearance at Sears, and he grunted and stuck them in the corner. He wants his comforter from home and his own pillow. We are more concerned about storage for school items and practical things like a fan.

My husband is nagging me about getting all the stuff we need and looking at the lists more than DS or me.

DS opted for the communal bathroom set up, better opportunity to meet people. One comment the administrator told us at orientation is that most kids have never, ever shared a room. I think that was not the case in my generation, most of my friends, even wildly wealthy ones (one owned an 8 bedroom home) shared with a sibling at one time or another.

Looking at some of these lists you get the feeling they are moving to Antarctica with no possible source for anything. In real life, everything is easily available at any drugstore/WalMart/KMart or even on campus in many cases.

I know that's true, and I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you. When I went to college, my university was in a town small enough for me to be comfortable yet big enough to have what I needed. I had a car and the town was easily navigable. As long as I had enough money, I could purchase whatever I wanted or needed. And I knew other people going to the same school. It would have been ridiculous for my mom to worry about me having whatever I needed.

Some of us are sending our kids to universities across the country, or to universities in inner cities with a lot of crime and/or terrible traffic, etc. Some of us are sending our kids to very small universities in teeny tiny towns with no car and no university sponsored transportation with the local Wal-Mart a ways away. It is a comfort for some of us to make sure our kids have whatever they might need at first. We know they'll survive and be fine, but if it helps us sleep a little better at night, that's good enough for me. I know I bought my son every medication he might possibly need his freshman year. His floor mates called him "doctor". But I didn't want him or any other student in his orbit walking to the drugstore at night near that campus (high crime). I didn't care much about what else he took, but I was pretty uptight about being thorough with the medicine list.

I realize the number of students who have difficulty getting what they need are a small minority.

Doesn't her college provide any furniture? I don't remember hauling mattresses and dressers to NMT or UA. They did require a full-coverage waterproof mattress cover.

In real life, everything is easily available at any drugstore/WalMart/KMart or even on campus in many cases. In real life ... arriving summer school students will predictably totally wipe the stock of certain items at the local Wal-Mart, the nearby drugstores and even annihilate the stocks of certain items in the hardware stores and lumberyards.

Fall term is worse.

And, because the brands and varieties vary from year to year, the stores can't stock up for the onslaught on everything. They wait until they see what's in high demand and take special orders.

* one of the things on BB&B's list is a bedbug mattress cover. OMG, really!?! Freak not ... they are also waterproof and protect the school's mattrerss against spilt coffee, food, etc.

* 2 sets of towels or one? (I say 2 bath towels, no hand towels and a few washcloths)Two, yes.

* 2 sets of sheets or one? (I say one, as 2 would take up valuable space)Two, so she can change the bed without having to do laundry. Great for coffee spills.

* minimal tool kit (2 short-handled screwdrivers/small hammer, adjustable small wrench. I'm iffy on this one. Don't they have them available thru their RA?)Don't count on it. One of the small hammers with the screwdrivers that store in the handle - or a tack hammer and one of the screwdrivers with changeable tips) and a small (6") pair of slip-joint pliers will get her through. If her furniture requires any tools to assemble/disassemble, make sure she has the right thing.

* any ideas on how to put together a small sewing kit so that it's readily available when she needs it but doesn't take up much room? A roll-up makeup pouch. She'll need scissors, needles, pins, iron-on hem tape, measuring tape and some thread in basic colors.

I am an RN working in a university health service. I would make sure that she has a copy of her most recent immunizations,especially her last Tdap date. Many kids come into the health service without knowledge of what they have had and when. It will prevent a panic phone call from your daughter.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to give me/us these suggestions! Emily & I have been sitting here this morning, rereading every one of your posts and adding things to our ongoing lists to do, to take and to buy. They have helped so much. You've helped us both by suggesting things we hadn't thought of and you've also saved me money, because I'm not having to ship off things DD will need but we'd forgotten.

And yes, I do realize that there will be local stores that she can shop at for forgotten items, but as I mentioned here before, we've been there and done this with DS nine years ago. Let me mention it again for any other new freshman parents: the local stores in the area will be a nightmare to shop at that move-in day and for at least the next week afterwards! Most needed items will be quickly sold out and the check-out lines will be staggeringly long with stressed out, frazzled parents and students. Been there, will NOT be doing that one again this time!

Lisa: thank you for that suggestion! I'd hadn't yet thought of her immunization records, but have just added this to our list.

Suero: thanks for that link. I've made a list of things we need to check with housing about.

Lazy: yes, the school does provide bed, mattress, desk, chair, etc. I'm with you on the stores and madhouse there will be at them that first day/week ;^D

Gotta run errands with DD once again. Will be back later to check on this thread once more.
Lynn

It's been several (20+) since we sent ours off to college but I can tell you...don't depend on the local Target or Wal-Mart to have anything by the time you get there. There shelves will be pretty well stripped. Buy it NOW. My DD found this out when she took her step-son to college a couple of years ago. However, you can buy your DD a Target card (like a gift card) that you can add to at your own location so when she needs groceries or other items, she isn't without some funds on her card.

I remember my parents driving me from NJ to VA for my freshman year. We had a full size station wagon and it was packed to the gills.

Well we passed a car with a pair of sneakers in the window well. My Mom said: See, she's a senior and that's all she's taking!!!!!

Lynn, you are bringing back the memories! And it was only four years ago. Luckily for our dd the drive was only two hours. Here she is in the comfort of the back seat of her parent's vehicle heading for college. lol!

*Another item for your list in case I missed seeing it - phone and camera chargers.

We went shopping for college again yesterday afternoon. see what was out there in desktop riser/organizers. From the photos we've seen online (which look to be exactly like the one DS had nine years ago there), the desks provided are pitifully small and very basic with little storage at all. I'll tell you what, somebody could make a real killing marketing a well-designed, inexpensive desk riser organizer to college kids! The ones I've found (in stores and online) are ridiculously over-priced!

One thing we did buy that we didn't have on our list was one of those collapsible stools that are very narrow and easy to store when closed. I have one in our MBR closet and another one in the kitchen and use them a lot. DD thought one might come in handy to more easily access the upper reaches of her dorm closet. She likes to keep things organized like her mom ;^D

Outsideplaying: I totally agree . . . buy it now!

Rafor: we loved that story!!!

Deedee: what a great pic; thanks for sharing that with us all! Emily loved it, too. I told her to keep it in mind every time she wants to add one more thing to her list, though (LOL).
Lynn

I can't remember if it was mentioned earlier in the thread but you should check if your cell phone carrier has good coverage at the college. A friend just mentioned today that at the college his daughter is going to their carrier coverage sucks. They are switching carriers.

Here is a link that might be useful: Google - check you cell coverage

OT but I was just in Santa Fe. I thought of you!

Forgive me if this has already been addressed - no time to read all the posts, but if your dd is going to a small, private school, or just a small school, I would bet they have student volunteers to meet and greet you at your car and unload EVERYTHING AND TAKE TO HER DORM. Of course, she has to unpack, but this was a huge help when my last child when off to college! DD went to a huge university and no such luck - on our own, waiting in line for a dolly, elevators, etc. And, of course, record-breaking temps every August when she moved in!!!

My son actually volunteered in his junior year to help - the advantage being he was able to move in one week early and to get a jump start before the made rush on move-in day!

Good luck to you and your DD - such an exciting time. I remember it well. :)

Take your OWN hand truck, suitcase dolly, or something with wheels even if it's just a red wagon ... it beats waiting around for the one (yes ONE) the dorm will have.

White noise machine
Flip flops for the shower

I've done this twice. Two more to go. Doesn't get any easier. But, we don't want them to know. They are having the time of their lives, aren't they.

Good luck.