lafmom- how true it is!
My son sent me to the store to pick out his bedspread, sheets, etc etc. he was happy he didn't have to do it, and welcomed anything I got for him.
My daughter, on the other hand, is making all her own decisions with her roomie. They know what the want and are having a great time shopping and selecting!
As far as advice goes- get to know the academic structure of the school, including major requirements, which teachers are "traveling athlete" friendly, what tutoring help does the school offer. Sometimes the advisor is on top of things and sometimes, unfortunately, they aren't.
College today seems to allow fewer electives than it did when I went to college. For the student who changes their major, that can add up to a lot of extra credits and tuition $$.