The Dos and Don'ts of Packing for Boarding School

Marci R. has packed two sons for Gow: first Luc, and four years later his younger brother, Marc. Looking back, she can see the mistakes she made that first summer. Here is her advice so you can avoid them.

Don't Send Your Child's Whole Bedroom

Pack the essentials and a few fun extras. It is natural to want the dorm room to feel like home, but think of it like packing for a camping trip. You don't bring everything, and it all comes home at the end of the year anyway.

Do Follow the Packing List

Most schools send a packing list. It may not say how much to bring or when, so ask. Many schools also let families ship items ahead of move-in day.

Do Talk with Your Child's Roommate

New students sometimes don't learn who their roommate is until shortly before arrival. A quick conversation about who is bringing what makes move-in day easier.

Don't Bring a Year's Supply of Shampoo

Families often arrive with a year of detergent, shampoo, and conditioner. It gets lost, wasted, or takes up precious space. Students go on regular shopping trips to restock.

Do Label Everything

Everyone follows the same packing list, so many students have the same things. Labels keep belongings from getting mixed up in the laundry room or on weekend trips.

Do Bring an Alarm Clock That Isn't a Phone

Phones break, go uncharged, or die overnight. A separate alarm clock is a reliable backup.

Don't Pack Every Winter Coat on Move-In Day

Gow's calendar includes regular breaks through the year. Bring fall clothes to start, and swap in winter gear when you come home on break. Spring break is the time to trade snow pants for shorts.