Lisa Endlich's Blog, page 4

College Packing List: 29 Last-Minute Items NOT TO FORGET [Updated]

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Moving into a college dorm is a memorable experience for students and for their families. (Credit: Harrington)

Your teen may be nearly done packing for college with piles of their belongings growing higher every day. Before you load up the car, however, consider these last-minute items for your teen to make the transition to college life...

The Best Advice I Ever Got About Being a Senior Parent Came From My Senior Son

It was just a few weeks into the school year. He had already had his last first football practice, his last first game, the senior breakfast, and the senior drape pictures. All the milestones were coming fast, and each one felt like a little goodbye wrapped in celebration.

I thought I was handling it pretty well.

Every “last” came with a subtle, emotional punch

Sure, I’d already cried behind my sunglasses on the first day. I choked up during senior night pre-game announcements and teare...

Confession: I’m Glad My Daughter Went Back to School

My college kid has flown off to her next adventure, and I’m glad she’s gone. We packed her bags and drove her to the airport and I cried and then we came home and I went back to bed because I had gotten up at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m. after going to bed at 1 a.m. to help her finish packing. Once I was rested, I stretched, exhaled deeply, and got to work setting my house in order.

Our daughter goes to college 1500 miles away from home so we only see her a few times each year…plus summer. (Pho...

25 Favorite College Care Package Ideas for Guys (2025)

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As the parent of both a daughter and a son who are students, I can say without hesitation that it’s much harder to come up with college care package ideas for guys than for girls.

If you’ve struggled like me, walking past fuzzy socks, cute hair ties, and nail polish in frustration, here are some care package ideas that will make a young man smile...

30 Favorite College Care Package Ideas for College Women (2025)

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A care package is always a welcome surprise for college students. We put together our favorite care package ideas for college women with some necessities and others that will just make her smile.

We have you covered if you want college care package ideas for guys.

College care package ideas for college women1. Open When Envelopes (Amazon)

Your ...

50 Things You Might Not Have Remembered for Your Dorm Room (2025)

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A checklist of things your student might not have thought of. (Photo: The Container Store)

We are going to assume you are set with things like twin XL sheets, towels, and your a laptop, but here are a few others you might want to consider. The caveat: most items can be delivered with free two-day shipping. 

Unbreakable cu...

The 10 Best Backpacks for High School Girls and College Women (2025)

Every student needs a backpack and here are our 10 favorites. (Shutterstock mangpor2004)

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Every teen and college woman needs a good school backpack that helps keep her organized. A new backpack can be an essential back-to-school purchase and also makes for a wonderful birthday gift.

What we look for in a backpack

First, we looked ...

Apartment Checklist: 43 Things to Make Your First Apartment Feel Like Home (2025)

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Moving into your first college apartment is such an exciting time, especially after living in a dorm. An apartment gives you so much more space and the convenience of a kitchen.

                               There’s is a long checklist of things young adults need and/or want for their first apt. (Shutterstock SeventyFour)          ...

When My Daughter Ignored Me at College Drop-Off: How I Chose to React

“I just want to go over a couple papers before we leave,” I said, hastily pulling out a couple items from my purse, my eyes squinting in the afternoon sun. “This is the one that’s most important—the walk-in information for the counseling center. I want you to have that in case you need it, OK?”

There was so much more I wanted to say to my daughter at drop off. (Susan Connelly)

“And here’s the info on the bus schedule. It’s free with your student ID.” “Oh, and you’ll need this for urgent ca...

College Packing List: 25 Last-Minute Items NOT TO FORGET

We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here

Your teen may be nearly done packing for college with piles of their belongings growing higher every day. Before you load up the car, however, consider these last-minute items for your teen to make the transition to college life even smoother.

Moving into a college dorm is a memorable experience for students and for their families. (Credit:...