The move-in thread

[margsala]

So, after CTOPS I realized that I will need a lot of stuff for the dorms. I know about the basics, but I realize that every college is different... so I thought suggestions might be nice.

For instance, I am debating whether to bring a bike or not. How often do they get stolen?

[eadad]

My S has had a bike since second semester freshman year (now a rising senior) and has had no problems. There are plenty of places to park and secure them around campus. Get yourself a very good lock though.

[ldmom06]

There are services at UNC through which you can buy carpeting, shelfwork and rent microfridges. The carpet we ordered last year was really bad....did not hold up at all. I would recommend getting a rug at Target. Fridges are here: http://www.collegefridge.com/

[cat119]

I got a big carpet/rug thing at BJ's. LOL. My roomie and I have so much stuff for our dorm room already; it's insane.

[TopGun_08]

if you live in south campus then I highly recommend a bike. I had a U Lock and a chain lock for my bike and it never got stole. If you live in north campus than you don't need a bike.

[TopGun_08]

Also don't forget all that random stuff you will need but not really think about:
Stapler
Hole Puncher
Paper
Highlighters
Cups
Coffee Maker
Phone
Calculator
desk lamp
first aid kit
Advil
Tums
scissors
vitamins
posters are crucial to cover up those bare walls
markers may be useful

[peachgirldb]

Here's a few

o Clothes hangers
o Camera
o Duct tape
o Surge protectors
o Umbrella
o Calendar, white board, posters, pictures, etc.
o Bath towels, shower caddy, razor, shower shoes, tissue
o Sewing kit and safety pins

and of course:

o A fan if your room doesn’t have air conditioning

[eadad]

Don't forget about a LONG ethernet cable so you have flexibility setting up your room. You're not allowed to use regular extension cords so the heavy duty type with surge protectors are great and you can never have too many, especially if you have a fridge, microwave, two laptops, printers, optional monitors, external speakers, TV, DVD, stereo etc.

In some dorms closet space is really at a premium so the metal hangers that hold multiple slacks/skirts/shirts are really helpful. They take up a little more space than one hanger but hold four to six items stacked from top to bottom. Also a closet rod that hangs from your top rod to double your hanging space is very helpful. Stores like The Container Store sell them but you cam usually find them at Wal mart and target too. If you can't find them locally or have no store like that nearby, you can go online to their website or to the website for Hold Everything and order them.

[ldmom06]

I'll add a couple....

Floor lamp - the overhead fluorescent lighting is oppressive, so a floor lamp in addition to the couple of desk lamps in your room will be helpful. My d got one with bendable 'arms' that allow the lighting to be modified to accommodate both roommates.

Shelfs - floor space is precious, so think 'up'. Putting shelfwork on top of the microfridge creates a nice little pantry for food items. In some dorms, desks do not come with hutches, so buying or building a hutch for storage is helpful. The following is the link to the RHA Move-in Market where custom shelfwork can be purchased. At the collegesavers.com website, click on residence hall information and then UNC to find out which dorms provide what shelving.

www.tarheelcentral.com

Laundry hamper/bag - collapsible ones are great...but my d left hers standing in the corner of the room (behind a door). Most important feature...a strap so you can sling the hamper/bag over your shoulder when headed to the laundry room.

Fabric softener balls - beats storing yet another big bottle of laundry product.

Mini-vacuum - believe it or not, you will get to the point where you will want to vacuum your carpet.

I second eadad on the hanger system. The Container Store has great options including the double decker system he describes and many multiple pant/skirt hanger options.

Good backpack - You want a good padded strap and a laptop compartment. My d loves her Clive messenger bag with the "j" strap design...and ebags.com is running it on sale for about half what she paid for it last year. It's great for those who will ride a bike or scooter....long rather than wide, padding against the back and a quick-release strap that fits across the chest. (unfortunately, the light tan color that my d bought seems to be discontinued.)

http://www.ebags.com/products/index....ls_Clive_72069

[ldmom06]

Also, comfortable flat shoes!! My d is a shoe fiend...and took tons of cute shoes many with high heels. She ended up living in her Skecher maryjanes and Uggs...and sent all the cute shoes home. Chapel Hill, as you undoubtedly now know, has hills. High heels, even medium to low heels, don't work.

[upstater05]

I cannot stress umbrella enough. In fact, bring a few. You will undoubtedly lose or break one. I've gone through 4 or 5 in two years. ALSO, try to avoid those gigantic golf umbrellas, as no one really appreciates trying to navigate around you in the rain on those narrow brick walkways!

[misstinax3]

idmom06-thanks for those links!!


this is all so helpful lol =]

[ldmom06]

One more thing! Talk to your future roommate about a small iron and mini ironing board...you may need one and having two in the room would be a waste of space.

But, and I cannot emphasize enough how great this product is, get Downy Wrinkle Releaser for everyday clothing care. It's like a miracle...lol!! With this stuff, you could probably ditch the iron and and ironing board.

http://www.downy.com/en_US/products/wrinklereleaser.jsp

[eadad]

A foldable lawn chair is not a bad thing to have either; it adds extra seating in a room and collapses into a bag in your closet when not in use. Not bad for sitting outdoors to read/sun either.

You will find that flip flops will become the shoe of choice for most of the year. Rainbows appear to be the favored choice in fact, the Shops at Southpoint Mall has a Rainbow kiosk right outside the food court that sells a wide variety of colors.

I second the comment about an umbrella, the type that will fit in your back pack and just stay there is best. Another good item is a rain jacket that folds into itself and can also fit in your backpack. Stores like REI or any good outdoor clothing store sell a wide variety of them. Lightweight, self wicking and breathable are the keys for Chapel Hill weather.

A great choice for a heavier jacket is something like the Northface Denali fleece. Lots of colors, perfect weight for most of Chapel Hill winter and has the ability to add a shell for the coldest days which saves having to have/store two winter jackets with closet space at a premium. You can also find these at REI or any good outdoor clothing store and many places online. I would advise not buying without trying on because they are sized a bit differently, in fact many girls who wear sizes 6-10 (or smaller) can often get away with the children's' sizes L and XL and save about $100.

[ldmom06]

Concur on the Northface! My d bought a Northface Greenland jacket which a really cute short jacket, belted and hooded with removable 'fur'. Down, but not overly bulky or thick...perfect for Chapel Hill weather. (btw...can't resist...Altrec.com is selling discon't colors, including black, brown and super-cute white, for $139...which is a deep discount on the regular price of $250-$300)

She also found this great folding papasan chair at the BBB in Durham last year. BBB doesn't seem to carry them anymore, but do have other comfy folding chairs and better prices. (The papasan was the hit of the floor...she had a hard time keeping people out of it and her room. It folded very small and slipped under the bed or stood in the corner when floor space was needed.)

http://www.lonestartradingcompany.com/newpach2.html