We’ve had some shifting around in the last 24 hours and my day has been spent travel planning. Thank goodness I have travel credit that will be expiring soon!
S25 said he wants to let go of one of his top choices and it was one I loved (SLAC in upstate NY). I thought it would be a great fit for him but he’s pretty set. I cancelled our travel plans there. A little sad about that one.
Then he told me he’s leaning heavily towards the lg publics - so we are going to Seattle tomorrow to squeeze in a visit before heading to Michigan later in the week.
Looks like 2 lg publics and 2 small LACs left. His friends are all going to large schools and I think he is being heavily influenced by this. The small schools are starting to freak him out, because he doesn’t want a repeat of HS.
Speaking of dorm items…
My son didn’t bring a wuzoo fan. His desk type space was minimal so we went with a standing tower fan which worked perfect for his space.
My son has used these for 2 years now. They collapse for transport and actually have a solid close mechanism. The cheaper 3 drawer units were not as easy to bring home. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4FZWRVR/
We kept it cheap for rug. It only lasted a year. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09T9Y35MZ
We literally used a camping chair (got on sale for $8) for extra seating (he had a split double with a partial wall his freshman year and no extra space). It folded up in a corner or under his bed when not in use. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Basic-Mesh-Chair-Red-Adult/55323758
My son hated the duffle type collapsible laundry bag. He is too lazy to actually hold it and stuff dirty clothes in so we ended up getting him a standing one. Forget the LED light strips until after moved in. The walls suck at sticking things to it.
Another “old” parent here - chiming in. I have an insane packing list if anyone wants it (crowd sourced at the school where I work).
The top thing I recommend is ALL OF THE COLD MEDICINE. Sudafed, Mucinex, Nyquil -pick your poison. When most kids finally admit to needing it, the whole campus is wiped out and they’re too sick to want to travel somewhere else.
Costco is a great place to pick up cheap generic Sudafed. I think you can get two packs at any one time. Under $2 per pack.
Yes please 
You asked for it!
Buckle up.
But seriously, this was a brain dump of everything one could possibly need. So much depends on the student, the school, and the space! Make a copy and delete whatever doesn’t apply.
Let me know if you have trouble accessing. The Google settings show "anyone with the link
’ can view.
Seasoned parents,
- I love your suggestions!
- How much of this did you buy ahead of time? I get trying to get things on sale, etc, but I’m sorely tempted to get the bare minimum and then see what she actually wants/needs. D25 has gone to 5 week summer intensives for dance with one suitcase and her dance bag. She’ll want significantly more than that, but I’m overwhelmed by the stuff and if she ends up where I think she’s going to end up it’s going to be a forced triple, so there will be zero extra space.
It’s visible. And not only does @twin23 have a list, she has links to examples of items you could buy. This is a work of art!
woo-hoo! Paid deposit to RIT and cancelled other accepted student events!!
now on to figuring out housing including the app for special interest housing 
And replying no to other schools…
I bought too much ahead of time. I think it was how I processed two kids leaving at once and an empty nest! Gear is my love language.
I struggled thinking everything had to be done and there on day 1. For sophomore year, there was a lot more calmness at move in and recognizing I could send things later or they could get themselves to Target.
Here’s our list for S23:
*Bike, helmet, lock
*Shower bucket
*Shower shoes
*Comforter and Sham
*Pillows -2
*Sheet sets -2
*Mattress pad
*Mattress topper
*Towels - 4
*Power strip
*Extension cord
*Ethernet cable
Fan (roommate)
*Lamp
*Hangers
*Landry bag
*Command hooks
*Command poster strips
*Posters
*Fridge/microwave (rent)
*Keurig
*Mug
*Plate, bowl, utensils
*Travel mug
*Water bottle
*Can opener
*Bottle opener
*Chip clips (binder clips)
*Extra chargers/cords/bricks
*Long phone charging cord
*Speaker
*Headphones
*Air pods with charger
*Watch charger
*Weekend bag with Dopp kit
*Mini tool kit
*Umbrella
*Door prop
Clothes:
Socks - at least 10 pair
Underwear - at least 10
Sleep clothes/lounge - 2
Running shorts/shirts/shoes (5 shirts/5 shorts)
Khaki shorts - 5
T shirts - 10
Polos - 3
Flannels - 4
Button downs -2
Hoodies - 2
Light weight hoodie - 2
Quarter zips - 1
Jeans - 2
Khaki Jeans - 1
Belt -1
Dress pants - 1
Dress shirt -1
Navy blazer -1
Tie - 1
Dress belt -1
Dress socks -1
Loafers
Hiking shoes
Athletic shoes -2
Bathing suit
Baseball Hat
Rain jacket
Sunglasses
School supplies:
*Book bag
*Laptop and chargers
*Mouse
*Hard drive
*Notebooks
*Post it notes
*Index cards
*Scissors
*Tape
*Pens and pencils
*Sharpie
*Colored pencils
*Pencil sharpener
*Binder clips
*Stapler and staples
Glue stick?
*Stationary and stamps
Laundry and cleaning:
*Laundry Detergent Pods
*Dryer sheets
*Stain stick
*Dawn
*Sponge
*Clorox wipes
*Paper towels
Toiletries:
*Shampoo
*Body wash
*Acne wash
*Deodorant
*Toothbrushes -2
*Toothpaste
*Floss
*Razor and blades
*Electric razor
*Q tips
*Brush
*Nail clippers
*Tweezers
*Condoms
*Sunscreen
*Band aids
*Neosporin
*Anti itch
*Cold meds (day and night)
*Advil
*Allergy meds
*Tissues
*Chapstick
Camping stuff?
All the decisions are in and DD has decided to attend Vanderbilt! 
I’m so relieved that we are done! She has a few waitlists out there, but nothing I think she would choose over Vandy. Her final three were Vandy, Rice and UVA (oos). She’s looking forward to a fun four years in Nashville!
It’s over! S25’s final college application decision just came in, and he was accepted to Duke! Before he clicked on the update button, we had a really nice moment where we reflected on his college application journey. I told him that I was proud of his perfect (9 of 9!) application record, but that I was more proud that he handled himself with class, kindness, and integrity throughout his high school career. Now we have four weeks to figure out where he’ll end up. . .
Another oldie here- definitely pack the meds! We called it the “bucket o medicine”, & included everything from NyQuil to Narcan and condoms. Also, if you haven’t already made hotel or Airbnb reservations for move in and parents weekends, do it ASAP.
And don’t forget band-aids!!!
Wow! A lot of you have super impressive acceptances / students! Congrats!
Yes to All The Medicine.
@illneversaynever - re: buying ahead of time - like @twin23 I probably bought too much, gear is also my love language. Like with the three fans - it was my attempt to try to make sure everything would be Just Fine.
I bought everything I thought he would need, but he’s a minimalist, so it didn’t feel crazy and he likely wouldn’t have asked for things. Like I bought him a door stop, which he wouldn’t have asked for, but I wanted him to be able to have the door open so people might stop in. I was afraid that the stores near campus would be sold out if we needed to buy things on move in weekend, so I didn’t want to not be able to buy something. In reality, that shouldn’t have been a worry. You can send anything from amazon or target to the mailroom. I still am glad that the stuff for setting up his room was all there, because once he gets things in a place, he doesn’t like to mess with them (I’m thinking like I bought some stacking shelves for the bottom of his wardrobe so he could use the vertical space for shoes. It seems silly, but if those had come later, he would’ve already had stuff all over the bottom and it would’ve been annoying to him to resettle stuff.)
Some things were definitely overpurchased - we had way too many command hooks (never used). But I also really spread the buying out - some things he got as Christmas gifts, some of the more spendy things (like his linens) I asked my mom and sister to give him as birthday presents for his April birthday. So I spread the buying out over the year.
Of course, if your child is going to a school that is a plane ride away, that’s a totally different story. You can’t easily bring as much on a plane, but you CAN do a pickup order at a local Target or Walmart, or you can usually ship ahead to a mailroom.
Or Amazon for speedy delivery once they’re there. Not all dorms accept packages before students move in (my D19’s college didn’t).
FYI we have been surprised by how long Amazon takes to get to Maine! What will get to me overnight in a suburban area will take 5 to 7 days to get to Maine - so plan accordingly depending on where your child lives!
I got some great suggestions here last year for what to pack for my daughter, & I can post those later this week when my schedule is less hectic, but as she is recovering from a bad case of the flu, make sure that you get the REAL Sudafed with Pseudoephedrine-
That is a really special memory and smart idea, thank you for sharing!