We are from CT also and have two kids at UA, one graduated last year and one is going into her junior year. We found it best to fly down a day early and do most of our shopping in Birmingham. We pre-ordered at Bed Bath and Beyond for both and then did Target and Walmart shopping in Birmingham too. After move-in I had to do a run to the Tuscaloosa Target for things we forgot or didn’t realize we would need. (or couldn’t fit in the car after shopping in Birmingham.)