well i read a piece on Yahoo! earlier today about parents with college-bound kids, and there actually was some good stuff on there. as a "not too far removed" person from college, i did want to stress and add some things though.
like the story said, make sure sleep is at least happening sometimes. free hours and less structure than living at home and high school can definitely lead to some awesome impromptu frisbee tossing or Krystal runs (haha, pun not intended), it can also lead to sleeping through those 8 and 9 AM classes. been there, done that. try to keep it in check somewhat if possible.
one thing to make sure you buy that probably isn't high on your list right now bit should be, is a combination fan/heater. there's nothing that can ruin a night's sleep or study session like a roommate controlling the thermostat. grab a fan/heater combo and you'll be prepared for the blazing hot air they pump through those college dorms during the winter (they must pipe those things in from the nearest hospital incenerator cause it smells awful too), or the cold nights when the heaters die in the dorm, your roommates insist on leaving the windows open and your on call RA isn't answering their door or phone.
two bags. you have your book bag for those dead weights...i mean textbooks, but you also can use a smaller bag or gym bag for various stuff. only have one class on Thursday? through a notebook and class material in the small one. gonna run to the student center to grab some food for the dorm, a smaller backpack could help. meeting some friends at to play some raquetball or work out, through your towel, shoes and equipment in the small one.
those are some of my suggestions, and maybe if you've been
to college recently you'd have some others. feel free to share your
ideas to help those going to school at a college or university this
fall. and lastly, remember, you should change your major at least 5
times before settling on something. it makes parents happy.
:)