Thanks @Itsjustschool - I was actually thinking about a really nice pen/pencil set might do the trick since she likes using mechanical pencils. And if I can find a really nice gel pen to go with it, I think we will be in business. That along with some of the smaller items I bought for her dorm all packaged together might be really nice. Thanks for the ideas!
@Wrestlersmom @ItsJustSchool That is all true. I was hoping to get the license then refresh after I get my degree and hopefully a job. You are both right, it isn’t my last chance to fly, and the truth is that there is a flying club at WSU that I could get the same rates as through CAP, so maybe in the future if I can get a car and can balance the workload at college, I could take lessons while in college to finish up. And I plan to become active in CAP again after I finish my degree, so I could always start lessons again through there. I know I have options… but I’ve just always wanted to get my license before I left for college. Perhaps I should lessen my goal a bit, just try to solo this summer or something like that. 
The thing is that I will have to retake the written exam if I don’t get it this summer. But I guess that isn’t the end of the world. 
@ILMom13579: How about a watch? It would be extra special to have it engraved for the occasion.
Thanks @veggylover - was thinking about that as well. We aren’t big watch-wearers around here, I’m afraid she wouldn’t know what to do with it! :))
I’m going to start a list for packing but thinking that we won’t start buying stuff until after orientation (July9th-10th) in case we get more information then. S will be in a single so won’t need to think about coordinating purchases with anyone. Are there any items that ‘sell out’ and should be purchased earlier?
I think we will rent the ‘micro fridge’ unit so we don’t have to deal with lugging it back and forth. What type of shelving do people buy - bookshelves are not included in the room. The room is 10’x13’ - wondering if there is room for a comfy chair in the corner.
Our local Bed, Bath & Beyond has a shopping event in early July with an additional 20-40% off of typical college stuff, so we’ll probably do that, although we will also make a trek to IKEA since they have some cool organizational stuff. She is supposed to find out roommate and room information this week, and she has orientation next week, although that doesn’t mean she’ll get to see her assigned room.
She is graduation tonight, and then I have to stay awake until 12:30 because I’m volunteering at the big post-grad bash. Saturday is her graduation party, it’s just family although we’re expecting some of her friends to stop over.
For graduation I got my daughter some very small diamond earrings. Not too expensive online, and I guess they’re a hit since she’s worn them every day since I gave them to her last week. Which reminds me, she started her summer camp job this morning. I hope she didn’t wear them today!
I think my nagging will have no effect - it’s past mid-June and D has not done any looking for summer jobs.
Too late now probably. 
I’m going to say it one more time just in case you missed it the first time.
Glider flying first. It will make you a better power pilot by a fair margin.
@albert69 - I understand about windows of opportunity and how difficult it is to fit things in. One of our friends’ sons took piloting lessons while away at college and earned his license. Do you have to stick with the same instructor or could you complete your requirements while away at school?
How about graduation gifts for boys? I bought him another cymbal and stand for his drum kit but looking to get something else too. He’s been hinting at taking the PS4 to college (little bro would not like that) so I could get him a game system but I hesitate because he will be in a single and I envision him becoming one of those kids that keeps his door closed while playing video games inside their room. He’s not heaving into video gaming but I worry about the distraction from studies right in the room and missed opportunities for socializing. Thoughts?
@singermom4 Theoretically, I could take lessons while at college, but that’s assuming I have the time and a way to get to the airport, the latter of which I likely won’t for my first year. I could change instructors, that’s not a huge deal. It’s actually good in some cases to fly with multiple instructors. I have in the gliders (I’ve also changed gliders 3 times, which I wouldn’t recommend). A flying lesson here and there on weekends might be possible in the future, but that’s not all of it - I’d have to retake the written exam. Right now I’ve gotten that done, so I can just focus on the flying and reviewing a little bit for the oral exam that goes with the checkride, but if I don’t get my license by the end of August, then my written exam expires and I’ll need to re-study and retake that. While I could possibly fit in flying lessons at college, I don’t think I could fit in ground school. I know how much studying it takes to pass that exam, at least how much it takes for me, and that’s what I don’t think I could fit in.
@singermom4, my son will be playing in some groups in college, and I’m worried that he is going to get yelled at for the noise. Luckily he would not be practicing into the wee hours of the night though.
I’ve heard the campus has open music rooms in some dorms and buildings for students to meet and play or just practice. Hopefully he’ll use them more often than play in his room.
My daughter is officially a high school graduate! I was so irritated with the number of speakers at a ceremony for 470 students - 6 adult speakers and 3 student speakers. The student speakers were by far the better of the two groups. Everyone got their name announced, a moment to get some verbal accolades, and it wasn’t disruptive at all - no one’s name got drowned out.
I volunteered at the post-graduation safe party - I was only there 3 hours, 9:30-12:30 (well, a smidge longer than that) and ended up getting maybe 4 hours of sleep. I hate feeling tired!
I bought DS a ENO camping hammock and a set of straps. Great for fun camping and just plain fun for anyplace you want a comfy place to relax outdoors. Obviously this is best for guys/girls who are outdoorsy though .
Last year I made DD a T-shirt quilt with her Odyssey, XC, and music shirts. She loved it but DS made it clear he didn’t need a quilt! So the hammock is in the same theme but more suited to his personality.
S’15 just got back from his scheduled block for orientation. About 500 kids total and about 100 from his admitting college. Now I know what “walking on sunshine” looks like. He is sooo happy. They toured, had dinner, “gamed” in the student union and stayed up 'till 4:00 AM talking and getting to know each other. Very well orchestrated and capped off with class registration this morning. He got everything he wanted, and surprised Mom & Dad by taking the 8:00 AM Chem lecture on M, W, F. His rationale; way better to have a 50 min. lecture sitting than the 90 min T, Th lecture that started at 10:00 AM. We picked him up and he was as chatty as we’ve seen him in a looong time. It was exciting to experience. We stopped for some chicken fries and he immediately went to his room to nap. I-)
He’s going to be just fine!
@giterdone - thanks for the report on the orientation! S’ is not until July 9th. I’m driving him up and planning to go to parent orientation and also spend a few days in the area as we really have never visited before except for the brief visit just to tour the campus prior to applying. Is your S in an LLC?
^yep. He’s in Biology House. Still talking about it today. It’s fun to watch. We live in the area so didn’t stick around for both days, however we did the whole parent participation on day 1. They do a good job! A lot of the activities are together, in a big group but you do break into your admitting college groups for specific agenda items, then regroup for more parent stuff. You only see you kid for about 2 of the 8 hours on day 1.
I have to take my younger S with us to orientation - did you see many siblings at the orientation?
a few. He’ll be bored to tears as the parent program is all adult themed. There may be a couple you excuse yourself from and go hit the bookstore… Not for young ears. %-(