<p>I put a first aid kit together for S1 - S2 already had one from his lifeguard training, which he took with him. I did not send a toolkit or flashlight with S2, but I did with S1. </p>
<p>Pro Tip: For those who are working with move-ini crews, trust the judgement of the workers. If they tell you you can park at A and B and not C, do not park at C. If they tell you this is an unloading zone, do not leave your car parked there. Have patience with them. They don’t have to help you. :)</p>
<p>A small tip that can save a lot of frustration - pack a box cutter or a knife or any similar sharp object that can be used to open those nasty plastic clamshell packages that are impossible to open without slicing through that plastic. You will encounter some of them! Do not automatically think that you can run to the nearest convenience store to get said sharp object - you might discover that all knives and box cutters sold there come pre-packaged in said horrible packaging! :)</p>
<p>I made a first aid kit with a box of band aids, day and night cold medicine, Benadryl, Tylenol, cough drops, tissues, etc, in a small shoe box size plastic container. I have to restock it every semester! </p>
<p>D has a set of small plastic drawers for her dorm room and in the bottom keeps duct tape, a screwdriver with assorted bits, various cords, extra command hooks, etc. </p>
<p>
Bought a first aid kid. To this date, it has never been used. Bought a toolkit. To this date, it has never been used. Bought five flashlights. To this date, they have rarely been used. Did not by a fire extinguisher. Was unnecessary. We bought a medicine box full of everything you could possible need. Apart from the ibuprofen, nothing has been used. </p>
<p>Would I recommend families buying it? Yes. </p>
<p>You’re better off with it than without it. </p>
<p>lol some of this is so helpful and funny too! anyone remember what in the tool kit was useful?</p>
<p>oh, and what size were those pyrex mixing bowls? like personal size for soup, etc?</p>
<p>how about shower caddy? mesh bag with a handle or loop? or hard plastic that sits on floor?</p>
<p>For the shower caddy, we prefer the mesh because it allows your products to dry easily. </p>
<p>Moving day is still a couple weeks away but I picked up this collapsible hand truck for just $26 at Lowes and it’s either going to be a fantastic investment or a bust. Folds completely flat with the wheels turning in. Says it will hold 150 lbs and the reviews are very positive but we shall see. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.lowes.com/pd_475925-94189-MCI_0__?productId=50005434&Ntt=hand+truck&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dhand%2Btruck&facetInfo=”>http://www.lowes.com/pd_475925-94189-MCI_0__?productId=50005434&Ntt=hand+truck&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dhand%2Btruck&facetInfo=</a></p>
<p>At the last minute, we decided to bring a collapsable step ladder and we were so glad we did. It came in so handy for making up the lofted bed, hanging curtains and pictures, etc.</p>
<p>Are you supposed to tip the student volunteers? Are you allowed? My philosophy is not tipping–its over tipping. </p>
<p>Most likely, if you offer a tip to the volunteers they will graciously decline. If you are adamant, go to the area’s captain or leader and speak with them. They will assure that the tip goes to the department running the event. Generally, the tip goes to funding for future events or scholarship funds.</p>
<p>One of the handiest things we brought for move in was a door stop. It was nice for our son during the school year too since the dorm door automatically locked when closed.</p>
<p>For off-campus apartment living, we insisted that the landlord verify that the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors were in working order and that any outside lights were functioning as well as any locks on outside doors and screen doors. For older d’s first apartment senior year, one of her roommates wrote in a clause to lease that landlord was responsible for hiring a cleaning service for move-in unless apartment was delivered broom clean. Trust me that the apartment was far from anything resembling broom clean, more like a varying degree of filth and things left behind from years of students living there- rusty bicycles, old microwaves and so on. As landlord’s idea of a cleaning service was to pick up two people from the street and hand them a bucket and a broom, they hired their own cleaning service and deducted from their first month’s rent. </p>
<p>I’ve never heard of anyone trying to tip move-in helpers! Lol.</p>
<p>In my experience, most of them do it because they’re in a club or organization that is allowed to publicize (wearing shirts, talking up their org) during move-in. They’re probably not allowed to accept tips. Even the department running the teams will have very strict rules about accepting cash “gifts.”</p>
<p>Rumrunner, the mixing bowls are three different sizes. One is small enough for soup or cereal; two others are legitimate mixing bowls. I always had a kitchen, and it was nice because you can go from prep to baking to serving in the same dish (because Pyrex is oven-safe.) Target has a nice 4-piece set with lids for about $20 IIRC. I bought some for my mom for mother’s day (she had been enviously eyeing my set for years.)</p>
<p>One last thing: door stops are great, but read your Res Hall’s policy guide carefully. Some don’t allow them because failure to allow the door to close all the way is a fire hazard.</p>
<p>Also, implore your student to close and lock their door every time they leave, even if it’s just for a second.</p>
<p>I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had this conversation:</p>
<p>“HGFM! My _________ was stolen from my room!”</p>
<p>“Was your door locked?”</p>
<p>"…"</p>
<p>
At my university, no clubs or organization are allowed to advertise their group. The only thing advertised in move in services and checklists to pertaining to move in to ensure all students and their families have a smooth, snag-free move in process.</p>
<p>With all the help they receive, there are families who insist on tipping their volunteers, even though their volunteers repeatedly say that it was their pleasure. The move in crew, leaders, and department directors know how to handle these situation, have rules in place, and ensure the donations go towards a just cause. </p>
<p>At my son’s college the move-in crew gets to move in themselves a day earlier than the freshman. Son’s college has a large percentage of students that stay in college owned buildings for all four years and this is a nice perk. </p>
<p>we survived! our daughter made a collage for his wall of family photos, especially pics of her and him. so cute and he really appreciated that! cold supplies are being used as is the sewing kit. he picked up a plant and that makes him happy. extensions cords are good but make sure you get the kind that are flat against the wall at a right angle. he’s a boy so didn’t have many shoes or clothes or makeup/hair stuff. his shower caddy isn’t big enough (apparently) but he’ll deal … BTW his College President helped him load the rolling bins. (& we got pics) I recognized him immediately and shook his hand and thanked him. At the parents’ welcome he said every year someone tips him. Last yr 2 ppl, this just 1. And this year when they found out who he was they took it back. Pretty funny opening speech.</p>
<p>Regarding hand dollys: we brought bungee cords to help secure bags, boxes etc. very hand, especially while bumping up curbs ;)</p>
<p>Son had to be on campus 6 weeks early for his sport and has been in 2 different temporary housings so far. He gets to move in to his on-campus apartment a day before everyone else so we have had little involvement this year. I kind of miss the excitement of move-in, but maybe not that much. He took very little with him for this period of time and seems to be doing just fine. I suspect that he could go the whole year with the basics he took and probably wouldn’t notice unless I brought it up. I did notice when he came home in June that the small box of first aid equipment, a flashlight and tools was completely untouched. When I pointed it out, he said he didn’t even know he’d had it. I’ll probably still sneak it in his stuff again this year. </p>
<p>Thinking that even if cash tips are out of place … some cold sodas or teas on a hot day would be much appreciated if a place can be found in the car for a cooler!</p>