China

Any Kenyon students or parents up for some specific questions that my child doesn't think he needs to be concerned with, but that I'd really feel better investigating? Specific things about dorm rooms, dorm TV's, room set-up, blah, blah, blah........

I know there is someone out there with the screen-name "GundisGood" who could probably be very, very helpful at this point.

I'm looking for things like how annoying is that 5' divider in the room? Or maybe it's not annoying at all, and in fact, is a great thing? Does it cut the room exactly in half? Does one half have the window and one half have the door (kind of like a hospital room - haha.) Is it difficult having furniture that's all built-in? Is there a logical/convenient place for the micro-fridge? Are there any choices on where/how you set-up your bed? Is there room and a good place for a TV? Are the rooms a decent size (maybe a bit bigger than the other dorms from what I've read?) Is there good storage? Should you definitely bring a rug (and if so, can we just sort of divide the room dimensions in 1/2 to figure out how big?) Does a fan really do the trick during those first few hot weeks (not that there's anything we can do about it if it doesn't of course!)

That's alot of questions, huh!?!?!?! I know that I tend to obsess, but I'd just feel a little bit better knowing more of what we can expect when we get out there......We're coming a good distance. With soooooo many adjustments to make your first year at college, I'd at least like the whole "dorm room" thing to go as smoothly as possible.

Thanks so much to anyone who can help!!

MolBioAce06

My advice would be to arrive as early as possible, assess the room for all of the above and then go shopping at Wal-mart in Mt. Vernon or somewhere a bit closer to Columbus if needed and buy everything room specific upon arrival. I know this doesn't sound like a good idea to people who like to plan everything (like me), but it will save you lots of worrying about things fitting the room. Also, if you want more of a private feeling in a Gund room arrive early and grab the back bed, or the one behind the divider.

China

Thanks for the advice.........you can probably feel my pain at the thought of waiting until we arrive in Mt. Vernon to buy alot of the stuff. Maybe it's a good therapy for me! And unfortunately, the roommate is definitely arriving early so we know we won't get the choice of beds. From the sound of it, I'm sure my son will have the front bed (the one closer to the door.) That's not a big deal - he's a very laid-back guy and I'm pretty sure he'll be content with however the situation turns out. (He'd be fine getting out there was just a suitcase of clothing and winging the whole thing!!!)

I guess my two main concerns are 1) a rug - I'd really like to pick something up before go, but am really unsure about how that divider affects the dimensions of the room, and 2) the placemet of a TV he was given as a gift. Oh well, if we can't get any really specific info we'll probably wait on the rug 'til we get there, and bring the TV back home if we have to. Thanks for replying!

meotrip

As the mother of a student who lived in Gund last year:
1. A 3x5 or 4x6 rug will work best. It will have to be just beside the bed because the room divider will not permit any other placement.
2. Did you know that there is no cable at Kenyon? Many students do not even bother with TVs.
Everything will work out just fine. He will love it. The school does an amazing job of building a sense of community from the first day.

MolBioAce06

I agree on the TV, there is no need to bring one as cable is only available in a few apartments reserved for mainly juniors and seniors. Additionally, the dorm lounges have tvs so you can still catch your shows. Instead, buy a 22 inch or larger LCD screen that can display DVD movie output (and act as your monitor for writing papers etc) from a laptop or desktop computer. They are fairly cheap now, try newegg.com or Dell.

In your son's case, bring the tv for sure as it was a gift, and see if it has a vga, dvi, or HDMI input on the back so it can also be hooked up to the computer.

MolBioAce06

Also, I was in McBride, which I enjoyed highly, but spent lots of time with the kids on the quad by Gund, there is a great community feeling up there.

foolsgold

The real question is why bother with TV when you have Kenster. I agree about a good size monitor though.