Back to School for the Big Kids!

With six kids close in age, “Back to School” used to mean buying numerous little backpacks, pencil crayons, safety scissors, easy-to-open lunch containers, new shoes, and uniforms. I spent a lot of time shopping, organizing, and labeling all the items for my elementary school-aged crew.

Fast forward to today, and I’m getting ready to send my fifth child off to college. I now have plenty of experience with kids leaving the nest for their post-secondary education.

Back to school now looks very different for our older kids, but there are still essential items to consider when a child is heading off to dorm room living.

Upon high school graduation, my teens have typically moved into a traditional residence hall with a roommate they didn’t know. Coming from a large family, sharing a room with just one other person seemed quite civilized. Thanks to social media and apps, kids can now connect with their future roommates before moving in, making it easier to coordinate who brings what. You definitely don’t need duplicates of everything in those small rooms.

Here’s my list of must-haves for dorm life in the first year of college:

• Lysol wipes/cleaning supplies – for move-in day to ensure the room is clean
• Shower caddy – to hold toiletries for trips to the communal bathroom
• Flip-flops or shower shoes for communal showers
• Bathrobe and slippers
• Bath towels
• Medications/birth control/first aid kit/sanitary products
• Clothing hangers
• Alarm clock (put that phone away)
• Extension cord and power bar
• Laundry basket or bag for communal laundry facilities
• Laundry detergent
• Noise-canceling headphones (dorm living can be loud!)
• Bedding, including a mattress cover or foam cover for comfort
• Fan – rooms can get hot early in the school year
• Bar-sized fridge (check dorm policy)
• Printer (usually one roommate brings the fridge, the other the printer to share)
• Computer paper
• Thumbtacks for a bulletin board. Blue tac for posters
• Note – if your student is close to home, only send seasonal clothes. They can get winter gear when they return for Thanksgiving. If the child is out of state, pack for all seasons
• Desk lamp
• Photos of family and friends, decorations for the bedroom – posters, throw pillows, etc.
• Mabel’s Labels. We have age-appropriate labels for this age group.

(For the complete list, visit our Amazon College Back to School Essentials)

Equally important is what NOT to pack. Leave these items off the list:

• Candles and incense
• Space heaters
• Loudspeakers
• Drinking/Drug paraphernalia

Most importantly, send your kids off knowing that you trust them and will support their independence. The transition can be challenging for everyone, including parents. Think of yourself not as an empty nester, but as a bird launcher. You’ve got this!

Julie Cole is the Co-founder of Mabel’s Labels Inc, a parenting author, and mom of six.