I went to college an ocean away. I packed two big trunks with clothes, bed linens and towels and I was fine. I bought a winter coat when I needed one (where I was from didn’t have those kinds of winters) and my SLAC let me store those two trunks plus a few boxes of books in the dorm basement in the summer.

Anonymous wrote:Samsonite Tote a Ton duffels from amazon are huge and we moved son to school in texas with 2 of them, some bedding sent on amazon earlier to the dorm (they start accepting stuff about a week before drop off. We did a day of erranding to get lamp, extension cords , and a big CVS shopping. he travels light but that worked. he stored bedding and lamp over summer but it was okay- he did not bring a ton. of course he did not need winter clothing but I think Id have shipped that separately.

That was a great idea so I just checked and they have similar totes from Amazon Basics for cheaper. Don't know about the quality, but for just a few flights I guess they don't have to be indestructible.

Check if student's college has a page for Parents and Families in Facebook. It's a closed group for my D's college. Once you send a friend invite, the moderator will invite you in. I found this extremely helpful. You can post any question you want, including logistics, to college politics. No questions are lame here. I found my FB extremely helpful. There might be tons of existing answers that's specific to your student's college.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check the school recommended packing list... you may need to bring along an Ethernet cable. Definitely carry that and extension cords with you. The kids need to be up and running on their computers right away. Our DC is in a University setting. We brought on the plane anything immediately important as we got a heads up that boxes delivered to campus can get misplaced for a while. Move in is hectic for all concerned. Also, someone stay with the student volunteers that roll your belongings up to the dorm room. I can't tell you the # of people who were roaming the halls looking for their stuff. It's a challenge especially in a high rise .

Great advice!

Do most schools have a recommended packing list?

I would think so. There was an orientation webpage for new families that I just happened to see. It was filled with useful info and preceded the bulk mailing that came later. Things to look for are the computer related needs and restrictions on electical equipment like coffee machines, microwaves, hot water makers. Also there were dorm room pictures so we could see if an area rug would be appreciated. BTW - forget about an iron, get a hand held steamer. The kids will have dress requirements occasionally for faculty functions, dances, interviews.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, thanks for all the advice! This has been a really helpful thread.

Keep the tips coming...

+100!

Anonymous wrote:Check the school recommended packing list... you may need to bring along an Ethernet cable. Definitely carry that and extension cords with you. The kids need to be up and running on their computers right away. Our DC is in a University setting. We brought on the plane anything immediately important as we got a heads up that boxes delivered to campus can get misplaced for a while. Move in is hectic for all concerned. Also, someone stay with the student volunteers that roll your belongings up to the dorm room. I can't tell you the # of people who were roaming the halls looking for their stuff. It's a challenge especially in a high rise .

Great advice!

Do most schools have a recommended packing list?

Check the school recommended packing list... you may need to bring along an Ethernet cable. Definitely carry that and extension cords with you. The kids need to be up and running on their computers right away. Our DC is in a University setting. We brought on the plane anything immediately important as we got a heads up that boxes delivered to campus can get misplaced for a while. Move in is hectic for all concerned. Also, someone stay with the student volunteers that roll your belongings up to the dorm room. I can't tell you the # of people who were roaming the halls looking for their stuff. It's a challenge especially in a high rise .

As a parent who is about to send a kid off to college in the Chicago area, this may be the most helpful thread I've ever come across on DCUM. Thanks to all who have shared such useful advice!

important to know - oversize items don't come around on the ordinary airline luggage carousel. Each airlines has their own special area where you collect oversize items. Learned the hard way .. waiting and waiting for our son's guitar to show.

Anonymous wrote:A HUGE rolling duffel, more like a football coaches equipment bag. Got an Adidas for my son years ago. It really is a specialty item meant for coaches. The bigger the better. Couldn't find a picture. This has some appeal. In case they never actually unpack (it happens), they could have socks in 1 compartment ... things organized by compartment. Roll and squish it under the bed. https://media.luggagepros.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/2/22637-57133_140507205731.jpg

We used one of those. Very handy for multiple moves during college. Be aware though that the oversized luggage charge is hefty. Container store also carries them.

A HUGE rolling duffel, more like a football coaches equipment bag. Got an Adidas for my son years ago. It really is a specialty item meant for coaches. The bigger the better. Couldn't find a picture. This has some appeal. In case they never actually unpack (it happens), they could have socks in 1 compartment ... things organized by compartment. Roll and squish it under the bed. https://media.luggagepros.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/2/22637-57133_140507205731.jpg

Soft (inexpensive) duffel bags. This way you don't have to worry about storing suitcases or bringing them back. Then your son can pack or store easily. Also he wil I'm have to learn how to pack up at the end of the year and store h ik myself and unpack the following semester. It will be a good experience. I became much more independent having rondo all that studd myself unlike my brother who went to college close to home and automatically relies on my mother for a lot more.

Wow, thanks for all the advice! This has been a really helpful thread.

Keep the tips coming...

Some colleges in the Midwest (Denison, Kenyon, Oberlin) have shuttle buses during regularly scheduled breaks to and from Chicago, NY, and DC. So, if your student doesn't drive or likes to fly, this is a good arrangement.

https://www.shuttlehome.com/pages/schedule

We purchased things online (Bed and Bath.) We picked up at the nearest Bed and Bath from the campus. Showing my age, I was surprised to learn many retails have this arrangement, buy online and pick up near the campus. This requires actually being there for the pick up. This was in the plan to begin with.

My D's college also has a regular campus shuttle bus to the local Walmart. Check your school.