<p>We flew the 1500 miles last year, so loading up the car wasn’t an option. Making sure she’d have everything was quite the organizational ballet, but here’s how we did it:</p>
<p>Most clothing: Shipped it to her college mailing address by cheapest means possible, about 10 days ahead of time. Also shipped one set of sheets so we knew she’d have clean on the first night.</p>
<p>School supplies: Like cptofthehouse, we were afraid that stores in the college town would be picked over, so we bought at home in July.</p>
<p>Compact heavy stuff: such as school supplies, books, CDs. Shipped it a few days ahead of time by USPS Flat Rate boxes (also the very best way to send care packages once school starts).</p>
<p>Bed Bath & Beyond: Assuming there’s a store within striking distance of the college, this is a fantastic way to get bulky items such as linens, laundry hampers, desk lamps, fans, rugs, shower caddies, etc. You go to your local BB&B and basically create a gift registry. Then when you get to the college, you go to BB&B there to pick up the stuff in your rental car, pay for it, and cart it to the dorm.</p>
<p>Toiletries & supplies: Shopped for this stuff once we got there.</p>
<p>ETA – Lists, lists, and more lists are key to this operation!</p>