<p>My DS is taking about half the stuff to school this year. He says he didn’t need a lot of what we took up there last year and wants to simplify his life. I think that as freshmen students feel more comfortable with a bunch of their “stuff” around them. Now that he’s a soph, he’s more confident and is willing to “rough it” a bit more. I LOVE IT! </p>
<p>Do you find your soph traveling a lot lighter??</p>
<p>I will be a sophomore and like your son I’m only taking about half of what I took last year.</p>
<p>You know what would be a good list? Stuff that freshmen took up last year and are leaving behind this year! I’ll start it and sophs could add to it with the cut and paste method…</p>
<p>Medicine kit with over the counter stuff (the on campus store has it all)
Any office supplies beyond a stapler, pens, and paper
Wall art beyond one favorite piece
Reference books (it’s all on-line)</p>
<p>What else didn’t you use and won’t you take back??</p>
<p>My stereo as it wasn’t worth the space it took (you can use your computer to play stuff anyway).</p>
<p>So here’s the list of what I won’t take back this year so far…</p>
<p>Medicine kit with over the counter stuff (the on campus store has it all)
Any office supplies beyond a stapler, pens, and paper
Wall art beyond one favorite piece
Reference books (it’s all on-line)
Stero (use IPod or computer for music)</p>
<p>What else? Let’s help out the freshmen…</p>
<p>My son took very little the first two years. This year he’s added 4 framed photos of his father’s, some of his books… He seems to me to have decided what he wants and is taking it, rather than traveling light. D has never traveled light, and her car was completely stuffed when she left–and she’d stored some stuff over the summer, too. But again, they’ve both narrowed down what they consider essential.</p>
<p>Hmmm… I wonder if we can unpack the stereo which is currently in the XL duffel bag sitting by the front door as we get on the plane tomorrow? OTOH, S and roommate-to-be agreed in advance that this would be S’ contribution to the room’s electronics, so I guess that wouldn’t be a good way to start.</p>
<p>Otherwise, S is quite minimal in what he’s taking. I’ll know if that’s really true when I see if we have anything to add to your list next year.</p>
<p>Great idea HoyaMom!</p>
<p>Friend on the phone says add to the list of what not to bother packing…</p>
<p>Medicine kit with over the counter stuff (the on-campus store has it all)
Any office supplies beyond a stapler, pens, and paper
Wall art beyond one favorite piece
Reference books (it’s all on-line)
Stero (use IPod or computer for music)
Board games (they really only play on the computer)
Land line phone (many, many kids never use them)
Batteries (again, easily available on campus)
Any food at all (buy it when you get there)</p>
<p>Anyone else have anything to add to the “What I just didn’t really need to pack” list?</p>
<p>My S is going to take a couple of his beloved strategy board games, to see if he can interest anyone in playing them – he never really got into computer games and doesn’t expect to start now. We’ll see a year from now whether any of the boxed games go back with him…</p>
<p>Personally I still prefer the old board games. My husband and I still play scrabble and backgammon the old fashioned way. But I haven’t seen anyone under 30 use one in many many years. Good luck to your son getting a taker. I hope he finds many worthy opponents!</p>
<p>I think a small medical kit should be taken. What if the campus store is closed and who feels like running to the store when they cut their finger or need other medicine?</p>
<p>As far as reference books a small dictionary is handy. I gave my D. mine and even though I have the computer often find it would be handy to have it to look up a word fast when I am writing.</p>
<p>D loves trivia games and she is taking one board and boxes of cards for all the different games - she has already invited others on facebook, etc.) to her room for TP parties (sub free) and there have been takers. My D doesn’t like the computer games - she likes the boxed ones, and so do all her firends who have come over for the last 3 years to play one trivia game or another.</p>
<p>I’m glad to hear that games that do not require electricity are not a lost art! It’s nice that so many young people still like to sit around a table (or on the floor) and look at each other (versus a screen) while they play! Maybe someone will interest my DS in them again.</p>
<p>Our DS is bucking this trend. Because he has much more room in his apartment he is taking about everything he took last year plus his stereo(he hooks his computer to the 4 channel receiver an gets much better sound) and most of his books from last year. In addition we needed to take up the full sized loft bed/desk/closet he built over the summer together with his full siized mattress. I just hope he stays in this apartment 3 years as planned!!</p>
<p>And he never buys anything at the campus store or supplies at the campus bookstore. Things are a lot cheaper at our grocery store and OfficeMax.</p>
<p>Board games–S brought Risk last year. Not sure it ever got played. He also has a travel version of Settlers of Caton (sp?) that i’m sure he’ll bring–his sister got him addicted to that. Brought it on vacation down the shore, and they and the cousins were up all night with it.</p>
<p>And then there’s the twenty-pound aluminum case of clay poker chips, don’t leave home without it! (Does help supplement his spending money, though, 
)</p>