I think I went to uni with a car boot of clothes, CD, books, computer, a small box of electronics tools and - because mothers - too many saucepans and assorted non-perishable comestibles. I came home a year later with two computers, toolbox, slightly more books, papers and CDs, and no comestibles (there may have been some saucepan attrition). I think it all fitted.
Of course, I was persona non grata soon afterwards, and left with what I could carry in a random holdall.
I think the lesson here is that parents (and indeed students) have more access to motor vehicles then they did in 1973, data (be it your music collection or academic work) is a hell of a lot easier to lug about than it used to be, everyone should have access to a bicycle and that you should always know where your passport/birth certificate/bank documents/etc are in case you have to leave in a hurry.