<p>This is the first time we’re going through the college process as parents. For those who with a kid or two currently in college, what has changed since we were there, back in the day? Aside from kids having their own laptops and phones, what are things to keep in mind as we get ready to move her in? What things have changed?</p>
<p>Thanks! </p>
<p>The one thing that probably HASN’T changed is the size of the closet. Kids have way more ‘things’ now, and many thing they need to bring them all to college. Does she really NEED 15 pairs of shoes?</p>
<p>Check to see which small appliances are allowed. Some dorms don’t allow things without an automatic shut off.</p>
<p>Bring less stuff. Think of it as living on a boat, not living in a house. Rooms are tiny, and many schools are cramming more students into the dorms than they did 30 years ago. Roommates don’t need 2 dorm fridges. They don’t need one tv, let alone 2. Underbed storage is a good thing. </p>
<p>If you are flying, you can buy bedding and have it there for pickup at the store or college on the day.</p>
<p>Colleges in cities will likely have a set schedule of move-ins, and you will be assigned a time slot. You may need one person to stay by the car while the other and the kid ferries stuff in.</p>
<p>Thanks! I was wondering about the TV - don’t they watch on laptops, anyway, assuming they have the time? D is convinced she needs it plus a DVD player. Ugh.</p>
<p>There’s a DVD player in her laptop. Have her start with that. If after a month or two or three she still wants a TV and DVD player, then consider it later. Start off with less! </p>
<p>True! I think the deal will be to wait until the end of the semester. If she still wants it, there ya go. 
</p>
<p><em>off to buy earplugs for the ensuing, “but, mommmm…”</em></p>
<p>Another question, it seems like there are these blue light stations everywhere. Are things really safer (or more dangerous?), now (my school really wasn’t an issue, and even they have them all over now), or is it just a perception thing?</p>
<p>Mine has a tv (giant old box TV from the family room) and a DVD player. Laptops? Ok, but the screen is small. </p>
<p>When my D was living in a dorm last year, she was happy with just a laptop and a Netflix subscription. A TV would have just taken up more valueable space. </p>
<p>Find out ahead of time about the internet situation. D’s dorm had a wired connection but we were able to hookup a wireless router for her and her roommate to use which made things easier. Wireless printers are a handy thing too.</p>
<p>Check with the college she’ll be attending to see if they have a computer store on campus or any deals on computers. Sometimes the great deal at Best Buy won’t work with campus resources (thinking versions of Windows home or starter). Also, see if the college has any sort of campus agreements with software companies (thinking Microsoft Office) that will save $$$. @wcbandmom - my boys do laptop/Netflix as well and they’ve been happy with that.</p>
<p>S’s school had one of those deals where the kids could get a very high-powered, up-to-date laptop at an excellent price, and came loaded with campus-specific software and so forth. Support was part of the deal. He got one with a large, high-quality screen. The dorms had a common room with a large tv, if anyone wanted to watch something communally. Most kids watched stuff on their laptops. </p>
<p>On the other hand, S did come from a home with one small portable TV and no cable, so he didn’t feel deprived of TV… When I was in college, I recall that most people watched almost no TV. There were better things to do in a dorm with 100+ age peers to play bridge with. Not to mention studying…</p>
<p>I think having her go through the first semester with just the laptop is a good idea.</p>
<p>She probably doesn’t need a printer. Most everything is submitted electronically.</p>
<p>Support is an important thing to ask about too re: computers. We have a computer store/repair shop on campus and we’re an Apple/Lenovo/Dell/HP authorized repair shop. If someone brought in an Asus, for example, and it still was under warranty the shop couldn’t help with it (they are able to assist once it’s out of warranty). The student help desk would attempt to help but it’s much easier for them if it’s a brand they already are familiar with. Or if in a metro area, find out where support is available. I’d say that most students on my campus have Mac laptops but it depends on major. </p>
<p>Ditto on cell phones. We’re going to move S1 off our family plan because our cell company isn’t in his area - we just went through a lot of angst getting a phone repaired and then activated in that area. </p>
<p>@Consolation - I didn’t watch TV in college either and didn’t miss it at all. </p>
<p>Ditto to those who say to bring less! First year student here who has to plan trips back home to bring things back home before the end of the school year! I have too much stuff!</p>
<p>I have a TV along with a couple laptops. If your child has access to online TV subscriptions, then a TV is not needed. Same for if they can make do with the shows available on Netflix. </p>
<p>As for the blue lights…hmmm, I’ve never had to use it nor has anyone I know used it. It’s nice to know they are there. </p>
<p>As far a printers go, if your child has a university provided printer nearby, a printer should not be needed. I have friends in dorms who do not a university printer near by that I have their own. It is for their convenience. I have a university provided printer on the first floor of my dorm. It’s a matter of convenience. I do have to print material for my classes, though. Printing has not gone extinct. </p>
<p>Thanks, everyone! Keep 'em coming… </p>
<p>1) A small lock box/safe to keep cash and important documents.
2) Heavy duty cabled bicycle lock if taking a bike. Son and roommates have had their bicycle wheels, seats and fenders stolen (never the whole bike).</p>
<p>Keep in mind there will be a Walmart/Target nearby or you can send stuff via amazon. Sometimes we want to pack everything possible in the car, but sometimes it is easy just to order something.</p>
<p>Duct tape and small tool kit :). </p>
<p>Has anyone mentioned extra long sheets? Dorm beds are not standard singles, they are extra longs. There are whole threads out here on shopping (we found Target in mid-summer to have a lot of stuff, and we could shop online, see what was available at our local store, then just go get it). Quality was higher than sheets we bought there a few years ago, too. </p>
<p>There is actually an amazing thread on “what to pack”… I will search and come back to edit if I find it.</p>
<p>Found it:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html</a> </p>
<p>If it isn’t on this thread, your did does not need it! Of course, some of your questions may not be on packing, so after you look at this see what else is missing. Before others post… might as well read this, no need to recreate what is truly an exhaustive list.</p>
<p>First aid kit. Make one yourself from a small storage box to include cold meds, throat lozenges, ibuprofen, band aids, ice pack, tums, etc. Students tend to avoid their health centers. </p>