Somehow I thought this thread was about items for the dorm room or supplies…not medical things. I guess that’s something that could be left behind…but is that what the thread intent was?
Those things to take usually do not take up much space are needed NOW, now with a time consuming trip to a store or online delivery, or expensive close by. Check your house for those things used only occasionally and you own only one of. That box of bandaids or Tylenol may never get used but needed asap. Who do you borrow from if everyone assumes someone else will have an item?
btw- make sure kid knows s/he has them- parental packed stuff may never be discovered by the student.
Zip ties to hold cords, especially if the bed is lofted and the cords need to climb the bed post.
Comfort toys and mementos from home. Stuffed animals, favorite old blanket, old shoes.
Power strip.
I agree that nearly anything can be bought nearby, so what you don’t want to forget is stuff you need right away. Agree that tape measures and screwdrivers may be useful. And it’s always nice not to forget your toothbrush and favorite toothpaste.
I probably had too much stuff in my 1980 dorm room. But one think I had that was often loaned out (then sterilized) was a thermometer. With all those new germs freshman year, people got sick.
Yes, there are stores in college towns. But- who wants to go shopping for those mundane things? It takes time, money and effort. I know that as a parent who likes to shop I spent a lot of my time buying so many of those mundane things. Bought the lamp’s lightbulb in town- there’s always something forgotten.
There were two things we wished we had at move-in this past Saturday: A power strip with a long cord- for the barely accessible outlet under her bed so that she can plug her phone into it and reach it from bed. And a lanyard with an id holder for her keys and student id card. Walmart (the only major store in town) did not have the lanyard so she’s waiting for one from Amazon. The bookstore might have had one but she wanted hers to be unique and identifiable rather than the same college branded one as everyone else. Hopefully she will not lose her card between now and then.
@bjscheel Super helpful! Just ordered a power strip with a ten foot cord that also has USB. It’s being sent to our hotel (which has become my go-to last minute option since I think it’s WAY easier for us to retrieve it there and not wait in lines at the school post office).