NJBeaglemom

My son will be in East in a double. What kinds of extras should he bring for the room -shelving? those rolling drawers? Anything you wished you had, but didn't get? Or had and didn't need?

Thanks.

jrpar

I think most rooms come with a double shelf that can be put on a desk - my son's room had a shelf that was actually part of the desk. My son wasn't in East though, so I don't know what is in East rooms. He would recommend bringing an extra thick mattress pad of some kind - he thought the mattress was uncomfortable. A small refrigerator (he split the cost with his roommate - they bought it but you can rent a fridge too) is helpful - getting to the grocery store on the Cruiser wasn't a high priority for my kid. We ended up running to the Colgate bookstore on move-in day (after he saw the room) to buy odds and ends: a message board to go on his door, sticky things/hooks to hang posters and towels, things like that.

My advice would be to arrive on move-in day as early as possible - the hours fly by and we were a bit crazed trying to get everything done (checking in, getting keys, getting stuff we had shipped at the mailroom, picking up books at the bookstore, starting unpacking, going to a couple parents' orientation events, etc. - we were up and down hills and all over the place) by 4PM when parents are strongly encouraged to leave and orientation begins. We arrived on campus around 10:30, but in retrospect I would have aimed for earlier - just would have made the day less hectic.

mhc48

Wait till you take him up, bring a tape measure and then go to WalMart in Hancock or the hardware store (forgot the name) in Hamilton. You'll probably want something to do to feel useful before the long drive home anyway.

NJBeaglemom

I plan on getting there at 9 am.

I thought of waiting, but wasn't sure where the closest Wal Mart was -thank you. I have a fridge (eldest son's). thanks for letting me know about the mattresses -I had that on my list.

I assume a tool kit would be a good idea?

mhc48

Whoops, did I say Hancock? That's the exit off 17 I take to get to my younger kids' summer camp.

The Walmart is in Norwich, which is about a half hour south of Campus on Route 12.

There's also a Target in New Harford, closer to Utica, but I've never been there.

And don't disdain the hardware store around the corner from the Bookstore in Town. From years of dealing with Colgate students they have a pretty good selection of all the odds and ends, bookshelves, bed risers, stereo cords etc that you might need.

NJBeaglemom

We're staying at that Howard Johnson's, so I can see where it is when we get there just in case.

I figured I try local first -why drive back if you can get it there?

jrpar

9 a.m. will give you enough time - I remember thinking that I wished we had just one extra hour so that we weren't running so much. I missed one of the parents' events that I would have liked to have gone to, because we had to make a quick trip downtown to pick up the odds/ends.

I don't remember using/needing a tool kit, but it does sound like a good idea.

Colgate does make move-in day really easy in terms of getting all the stuff into the dorms - you unload all your belongings on the field on the bottom of the hill, and then swat teams of upperclassmen pack it all up in trucks, drive it up the hill, and then even carry it up to your rooms in the dorm. Given the hills and stairs involved, this is great! Maybe you'll meet my son - he's going to be working on move-in day this year.

One of my favorite parts of the day was pulling up to the light to turn into campus - a large group of upperclassmen were at the intersection, banging pots and pans, holding large banners that said "Honk if you love Colgate", and cheering for each freshman as they drove onto campus. All the cars and trucks driving by were honking. Sappy, I know, but it made us smile.