Things to buy for a dorm room

Psolo2 · 04-30-2007, 08:38 PM

You're all probably wondering what things to buy for a dorm room...well, let me tell you - there are many obscure things that need to be bought than we can all fathom.........

Post your ideas here!

CTBear · 05-02-2007, 12:40 AM

a rice cooking machine?

Jimp · 05-02-2007, 09:51 PM

After being here freshman year, I definitely regretted not having a fridge/microwave. There will be a package that some company will offer you at the beginning of the year; I highly recommend getting it.

Also, a fan is essential for the early Fall/Spring.

momoftwokids · 05-02-2007, 09:55 PM

I think my son will try to get in the AMR's, are they air conditoned? Can you bring a window air conditioner?

Jimp · 05-02-2007, 10:08 PM

I don't believe you can bring a window-mounted air conditioner. I think that's a safety hazard (for one reason or another). AMR I and II don't have air conditioning, however Buildings A, B, and Wolman do. A fan sufficed for me while living in the AMR's.

However, for your son's sake, I think he'll be making a smart decision with the AMR's. While the other options are a little nicer (more room, air conditioning, kitchenette, personal bathroom for four people), AMR's are infinitely more social.

To put it simply:
People satisfied with their social lives in Wolman/Building A&B : 50%
Why?: The suite-style rooming promotes an isolated lifestyle and gives no incentive for students to leave their rooms, or leave their doors open.
People satisfied with their social lives in AMR's: 85-90%
Why?: AMR's provide a naturally social habitat, with communal bathrooms as well as doors that open directly to a moderately trafficking hallway.

Ultimately social life and interaction with fellow students should trump comfort and luxury any day. That's why AMR's, in my opinion, are the best choice.

momoftwokids · 05-02-2007, 10:21 PM

Thanks, it will be hard for him to live without air ! However when he attended the overnight/open house he stayed there, and said the kids were great. We also heard that was better for your first year.

roberthhid · 05-03-2007, 09:58 AM

If your kid wears glasses, send him with an extra pair! This was very useful for my son.

glasses · 05-03-2007, 10:05 AM

If your student studies in his/her dorm room, a comfy desk chair helps. We shopped the chair (office depot, costco....) at home and bought locally. It was appreciated all 4 years. Also a good floor lamp that aims up can really help, especially if the room is dim or has harsh lighting. Quick dry (camping type) towels are good too. They don't stay damp in the room forever.

JIMMY@KILLARNEY · 05-04-2007, 09:22 PM

Just curious, are AMR I and II really that superior in terms of social life over the other residences?

CTBear · 05-06-2007, 12:34 AM

it seems like it is bet. social life (AMRs) vs. comfort (wolman & A/B) .....

theantithesisof · 05-06-2007, 04:36 PM

when I visited for the open house I spent some time with friends.. they took me to see Wolman and it was definitely pretty social, at least to me

CTBear · 05-09-2007, 08:01 PM

is a mini frig necessary?? how about a mini butane stove top??

efx2k3 · 05-20-2007, 05:05 PM

I had Wolman. People say its not as social and that may be somewhat true, although I'd say my floor was pretty active. The quality of life in Wolman is by far, the best. You get a kitchenette (stove + fridge), and your own bathroom. Some things I'd say that got me though the year were:
- brita water filter (a must!)
- microwave (for wolman people)
- some cleaning supplies
- wireless router (easy to do work on your bed)
- possibly a TV if you can spare
- printer (dell sells a good cheap laser one, inkjets are too unreliable.. trust me)
- duct tape
- christmas lights to string on your ceiling when youre roommate is trying to sleep
- etc etc

Hope this helps.
-

joshuwaliu · 07-24-2007, 10:05 PM

My advice is not to buy anything until you receive notice in mid-July of which dorm you will be living in. Each dorm has different rules. For example, In the AMRs you cannot bring any cooking equipment, and you must buy the microwave-fridge combo if you want a microwave.

Here's my opinion of the dorms:
AMRs are by far the best for social, AMR II being more social than AMR I. Some AMR I rooms are bigger, but tend to be odd-shaped or have low ceilings. The hallways in AMR I are a maze. The AMRs were recently remodeled and are slighly nicer. I'm not sure if they have added window AC units yet. You get used to the heat really quickly, although a window fan and a smaller fan made life much more comfortable for me. The heat is actually worse in the Winter, since they pump the heat up to the 80s or so.

Building A&B are the worst choice. The walls are paper thin, and it's structured like Wolman/McCoy but not as nice. Some may like it, since it is probably a good compromise between comfort and social life. But the walls are really thin, and it's sometimes pretty loud!

Wolman is slightly nicer than McCoy, but not as social. Wolman is the least social of all the dorms.

Girls may want to buy organizers like the big plastic storage bins for clothes, makeup, shoes, etc. None of the dorms really provide enough space to store these things.

Bulk container of liquid detergent. Powder is a pain to use on the timer based machines.

Computer is convenient, although there are plenty of places on campus with computers for students.