Class of 2013 - Some things you may want to know - Page 5

Momof2sons · 07-04-2009, 07:10 PM

My son brought a printer his freshman year and brought it home one month later--took up too much space. He prints his papers on network printers in the dorm/library

He has never mentioned a charge for this

thinker88 · 07-04-2009, 10:29 PM

Interesting. Thanks Momof2sons.

lbv001 · 07-05-2009, 09:15 AM

I'm confused about move-in day, so if anyone has information, I would greatly appreciate it. The orientation schedule states that from 8am - noon students (and parents, I presume) "proceed to their assigned residence halls to begin moving in". It then states that at 4:15 pm "parents depart campus". There is no further comment on moving in arrangements. Should I assume that move in is limited to that time frame (8am to 4:15 pm) or do many parents stay beyond the 4:15 or return the next day? I want to prepare to either work frantically that one day to help my D or stay overnight to return the next day in the event she has a little more time to move in, but I certainly don't want to be the only parent there. My first thought was to look at the room and then go into town to buy items there, but if there is only those few hours to move in, we will shop before we go. It also affects the time we have to spend in a hotel and days out of work. Thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this.

3tuitions · 07-05-2009, 11:04 AM

You're expected to be out of there by 4:15. Orientation activities start as you leave.

sailfish · 07-05-2009, 09:13 PM

We tried to think of everything but still had to make a run into town to buy things we hadn't thought of on move-in day. It was crazy but we did it and were finished and out of there as expected by late afternoon. Had a similar experience with our other son at another college. It seems that having parents leave at the appointed time is an important part of the process at most schools and it's understandable, I suppose. Those good-byes have to be said and the students have to turn their attention to the orientation program and their new college life. They'll probably still be missing hangars, or storage containers, or hanging shoe organizers, or something, but there's always online shopping or meeting someone with a car or, if all else fails, parents' weekend. Parents really do have to plan on leaving at the stated time, even though everything will not be perfectly in place--and you'll never be completely ready, whether it's your first, last or a child in-between.

cadence76 · 07-09-2009, 03:19 PM

Any of you experienced types have suggestions on "must-haves" for the dorm room? They're all pretty small, right? So there's not lots of room for lots of "stuff"/furniture/the like. How about under-bed storage--is that a good idea to purchase ahead of time? And lamps--one? two? My memory of dorm life is that once you've put a bed, a dresser, and a desk in one of those teeny rooms, there wasn't anything else you could fit! Oh--are there bookshelves? How about window covering? I can't believe we've moved on from "will they get in" to furnishing the dorm!

cadence76 · 07-09-2009, 04:16 PM

...and I finally looked at the list on the Colby website! I noticed they say no hotplates--do they feel the same about hotPOTS? And, I answered my own question--no bookshelf. Which is odd at a college. Just saying.

thinker88 · 07-09-2009, 08:07 PM

On the same topic as cadence: Is bed lofting allowed/common? I thought that I might have seen that it was discouraged, but I'm not sure.

mountains · 07-10-2009, 07:38 PM

Sorry I haven't responded sooner.

peanutbutter - I'm sorry I don't know anything about Chem classes since my S has not/does not plan to take any Chemistry classes. Clueless, too, on the Strider Scholar.

thinker88 - My S has a small printer and loves having one in his room. He plans to bring it back. I'm pretty sure there's no charge for printing either in Colby facilities.

Yes, lofting is definitely allowed. Very easy to do so. S zapped an email to facilities when we got there (they'll give you the directions how to request for lofting, etc in your package when you arrive) and it was done within a couple of hours. He plans to loft his bed again in the fall. I personally don't care for it (I'm afraid he might fall) but he survived his first year, so that obviously is just me with the Mom jitters.

cadence - S uses milk crates for bookshelves. Also, we bought a sticky thing (it was Elmer's) for his posters since we didn't want to put holes in the wall. Worked like a charm.

mountains · 07-10-2009, 07:43 PM

lbv001 - We struggled leaving S at 4:15 pm (my H was walking backwards as we walked to the car) and there were quite a few sobbing parents (we managed not to do that somehow). But 4:15 pm it was. They will be organized into their COOT groups as you leave, so they will have a crowd of kids to hang out with. It was still difficult for us.

cadence76 · 07-12-2009, 12:32 PM

Anyone have info on course sign-ups? They're supposed to be turned in Wdnesday the 15th, and our D has been trying to figure out what she's taking. She has AP credit in Bio, Math, and History, so wants to take some 200 level courses, but of course, she's getting the message that these are full. What do you do? Is Colby pretty open to "I know it's full, but I need it for the major so please squeeze me in" ? She's emailed her interim advisor, so we hope that will bring some helpful info, but we'd love insight from you experienced people!

WhiteMule · 07-13-2009, 10:52 PM

Professors have the ability to authorize a student to enroll in their over oversubscribed class, and are often willing to make accommodations if you email them directly (so long as their are available seats in the classroom).

If that doesn't work out, ask to be placed on the waiting list (all filled classes have them). If you are still on the waiting list come the start of classes, it is important to still attend the class that you want to get into. (Although the wait list is not first-come, first-serve, perseverance definitely helps.)

Keep in mind that with major-specific non-100 level courses, preference goes to declared majors by seniority, and that their may already be a waiting list for upperclassmen. Thus, your chances as a undeclared freshman are not the greatest, but of course, it doesn't hurt to try.

My unrelated 2-cents:
- I had a printer my freshman year, but I hardly used it. It took up too much space on my desk, and besides all printers on campus are free for student use.
- All windows have metal blinds.
- Compared to some colleges, Colby has descent sized rooms (my freshman year double was 206 sq. ft).
- I would definitely recommend a beside, desk, and maybe even a floor lamp (some of the dorms have rather poor overhead lighting in the rooms).
- Definitely get a carpet as most dorms (except Piper & maybe [?] Drummond) have linoleum floors that can be rather cold and unpleasant in the morning.

I'm happy to answer any other questions. I'm a rising junior and like to think I know a helpful thing or two about Colby.

cadence76 · 07-14-2009, 07:56 PM

WhiteMule, you're great! It helps loads to have people like you and Mountains--there's a lot that's new for those of us doing this for the first time! Now if D can only solve the course sign-up in the next 24 hours...

charlie135 · 07-15-2009, 10:44 AM

Any heating device is not allowed (hot pot, hot plate, toaster etc..) Also window coverings will be limited to the metal blinds and curtains are not allowed because the hanging cloth is a fire hazard.

cadence76 · 07-15-2009, 11:17 PM

charlie135, how can that be (re the curtains). The Colby website gives students the dimensions of the windows in each dorm, in case you want to bring your own curtains... Colby College | Dean of StudentsRoom Information