<p>I went to pick up my son at the end of the school year. I had read that he would be charged if the apartment was not cleaned before they left. I talked to my wife about what cleaning materials I should bring along. She said: don’t worry, I’m sure he still has all of the same cleaning supplies we sent with him last year. She was right.</p>
<p>It was a waster of money to buy any water containers. It was a popular item for giveaways at the college, second to free t-shirts. The nice metal one with a filter was untouched. </p>
<p>Will agree that stapler was a big hit. I bought him a small one, and he went out to get a larger one after a month. He also bought and used a mountain of notecards (which was not his thing in high school). </p>
<p>Next year I will send a much smaller container of Tide Pods-he had enough to last a semester (by my calculation) but had some left at the end of the year.</p>
<p>Update after a year–the compact refrigerator got a bit bigger (looked for one with more freezer room (it’s still tiny but works better for him) . Liked the printer (black friday buy). Asked for more big plastic sam’s club bags with the handles which he uses for everything. Still likes the cooking stuff. Enjoyed the egg shells to make the mattress more comfy.
And left a LOT of other stuff at home never to return…he fits it all in his little car (frig included) (I don’t know how exactly).</p>
<p>Ssesmom, somehow simple cooking and cleaning don’t seem like brain sugery to me. My guess if kids get hungry enough or grossed out enough they will figure it out. After all, if they are attending college we can assume they can read and there’s always the Internet.</p>
<p>Our kids’ student housing all came wired with a phone number for each resident. Gave S a phone which he never used (and somehow “lost”). When D came to campus 2.5 years later, we wisely didn’t bother buying her a phone. Both have just used their cell phones. Both like having a printer, which they own and allow their roommates to use as well.</p>
<p>Agree having a lot of underwear (for both S & D) has been good for their hygiene.</p>
<p>Sent a fluffy, warm down comforter for cold Chicago winters. Room stayed too warm and comforter stayed rolled up in closet all year. A quilt would have been better.</p>
<p>Great thread to start buying items for next year!</p>
<p>Really good raincoat was used a lot , despite protests that it wasn’t needed. First aid kit wasn’t used, but “sick” kit (tylenol, delsym, cough drops, etc…) was. Printer paper was used, envelopes were not. Comforter was a hit, sheets were burned at the end of the year :)</p>
<p>Under the bed boxes were a godsend. Needed more!</p>
<p>I don’t think the sleeping bag was ever used. We sent it instead of a second set of sheets, in case of a “bedding emergency” 
or to be used for guests or for visiting. Although he didn’t use it freshman year, he did bring it again sophomore year so I guess he at least agreed with the concept that it might be nice to have it under certain circumstances.</p>
<p>I don’t think he ever needed the crank flashlight / cell phone charger either, as they never had a power failure that lasted more than a couple of minutes, but he’s happy to keep schelpping that back as well.</p>
<p>Decided to check the first-aid kit. Antibiotic cream and multiple band-aids used. Same with day and night cold medicine and OTC allergy medicine. Multivitamins left unopened. Immodium thankfully went unused too. It is already for next year I guess.</p>
in reference to transporting clothes on hangers covered with garbage bags… I did that when I moved to college 35 years ago. Only put a manageable amt. in one bunch. Also, keep in mind wieght of bunch, for ex. long sleeve shirts weigh more than tee shirts. for carrying you drape the clothes part over fore arm and hang onto to the hanger with other hand. So… much efficient than taking them off hangers , packing etc.
In response to the care packages you can purchase to have school send to send student at various times; before you order read what is in each. My daughter doesn’t like a lot of what is in them; wasted $$. For those of you who would still like to send son/daughter package(s) I bought a bunch of packages of things my daughter likes from Sam’s Club and plan to send her asst. packages of those different items. For example 48 Quacker granola bars for @ 8 dollars. A large container of Sun Maid chocolate covered raisins I will put into a smaller container to put in care package. All are name brand and will have stuff on had to surprise her with a package without going broke on snack or food she doesn’t like. I will also make homemade goodies to add. Better than the student spending $$ on one thing from the vending.
Also, handy for student to throw into backpack for a snack if don’t have time to eat in cafeteria.
Please use old threads for reference only