George2007

here's some advice about moving into dorms rooms:

1) if possible get there early; although we always showed up at the end and it still wasnt bad. the reason to get there early is that the RAs will help you move in. They get worn out as the day goes on.
2) some students move in early if they are part of band for example. try to find out who your roommate will be and ask if they are moving in early. this is a great source of information over what to expect.
3) bring a quick change of clothes or a raincoat. it poured one year we moved in. the other 7 though were great
4) bring a small cooler with drinks you will need them
5) definetly dress light and comformatable. no high heels for you dad and go light on the make-up
6) if you have a son, (sorry for the machoism) you probably wont need to dress up the room too much. If you have a daughter though, there are some parents that go above and beyond and some rooms will look like they should be in some home decoration magazine. If you are coming from a long way away, I wouldnt bring too much. There's a Lowes, walmart, not too far. Lowes is towards greenville and walmart is towards travelers rest. If you are going to walmart go out the back get its a little closer. but here's the main advice: if you are going to buy a TV, futon, or chair, GO GET IT EARLY. they will sell out quickly. Keep in mind that whatever goes in the room MUST also come out at the end of the school year. If you live very far away you can rent a storage shed that is not too far from Furman (you'll see it on the left driving to Furman from Gville). they are very good to students and it costs something like 30$/mth. some students get together and share a room which we did one year and it was fine.
7) every room will have a TV (someone needs to bring one). get in contact with the roommate and work out who will bring what. ex; I'll bring the TV you get the futon, etc
8) bring a small tool kit with the basics. a knife, scissors, screwdrivers, wrenches, a hammer, etc. a battery powered tool would be nice
9) you can get this at the lowes or walmart but you will need something to hang things. we used little stickon hooks for the curtain rods. also the cable for the computer can not be on the floor or under the carpet. students use duck tape or hooks to hang the cable up the wall and and back down to where the computer is. Yea, it looks pretty dicey at first but after a few days it becomes part of the motiff. anyway, after a few weeks all the work you did on the room will be gone and it will look like, well, probably how your childs room looks today if mom and dad were not on them to clean it up occassionally.
10a) if you have alot to move in, bring a dolly if you have one. This is a good investment especially if you get one freshman year. you will use it many many times and especially when you move into the apts and need to move furniture
10) here's good advice; take some time to get to know your roommates parents. not going to dinner and anything but just small chit chat. where r u from, what do you do, try to find something in common. exchange phone numbers if you like. no sense in being awkward everytime you see them. there will be times when you visit your child and they will not be there and vice versa. It is nice to know that they will treat you child just like you would treat theirs.
11) here's the last bit of advice; as a parent you've always wanted the best for your child. and this may be the first time you leave them alone for the first time. I know for me that drive home was a LONG one. As a dad, I lost it a time or two. looking back on it I wish I hadnt stress about it as much as I did. Furman is a great place and school and they really try to take care of your child. So for move in day, its doesnt have to be perfect, do what you can. If it doesnt work out just right, you will visit many many other times and you can fix it then. and oh... bring a hanky for the drive home. all the best