Living in Unit 2

fyibtw
Sun, 31 Jul 2011 01:07:19 +0000

This is going to be a ridiculously comprehensive list (I should probably post it as its own thread, haha–can you tell that I’ve been procrastinating?). I work as a hall staff member and find it hilarious/irritating what students/parents decide to bring/not bring. One year I saw a family pull a FULL 6’ TALL, 3’ WIDE BOOKSHELF out of their truck and try to move it into a room. Lulz.

WHAT ELSE TO BRING:


Pillow & blanket/comforter/duvet - They’re not provided.
Foam mattress topper - Helps somewhat with comfort (and any–ahem–noises the mattress might make, haha), but mainly thickens up the thinner-than-standard mattress so that your twin XL sheets fit better. (I hate wrinkly sheets…)
“Laptop” lock - People do steal things, unfortunately. Buy extras for any TVs, gaming consoles, and monitors, or find some way to weave one lock through all of them! (Most people loop the lock around a beam at the back/bottom of the desk, so you’ll want a lock with a longer cable.)
Minor cleaning supplies (Lysol wipes, Febreeze/air fresheners) - You’ll want to wipe EVERYTHING down before you move in–trust me. Vacuums are available for check-out in each building, but you might want to consider bringing your own if you’re particular about clean carpets. (They do steam-clean each room during the summer, but… yeah.)
A Leatherman/multipurpose tool - You’ll be everyone’s new best friend.
6… Office supplies you take for granted now (e.g. stapler, hole punch, PRINTER PAPER) - Admittedly, if you don’t have it, someone will (or you can go to the Academic Services Center), but it’s nice to have one for yourself.


RECOMMENDED:


Brita filter - If you’re particular about your water. Personally think Berkeley tap water tastes fantastic and that Brita filters aren’t really worth the effort/time, but it’s up to you.
Set of cutlery (4 settings) and bowls/plates/cups (2 each) - CAN WE STOP STEALING FROM CAL DINING? You officially lose your right to complain about rising costs if you do. They lose over $10k ANNUALLY in cutlery alone. For the dishware, I’d recommend Corelle or Pyrex. Melamine (the cheap plastic stuff you find at Target) generally cannot be microwaved. You can bring fewer settings/dishware if you don’t expect to eat with others and/or are good about washing your dishes, haha. (You can buy a sponge/soap with your mealpoints.)
Hot water kettle - Wouldn’t recommend an Asian-style “air pot” unless you’re a religious tea-drinker/ramen-eater. The water’ll just sit there forever and it’ll be a big waste of energy.
Full-length mirror - Most rooms offer only above-waist mirrors.
Waste bin - Each room comes with one, but it’s nice to have one close to your desk for recycling, allergy season, your puking roommate, etc.
Small electric fan/tower - ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN FOOTHILL/BOWLES (and maybe Stern), and maybe if you’re in a male triple and think it might get kind of rank. Being up on the hill makes it REALLY HOT on September afternoons, and there’s very little respite unless you go down to campus. (All rooms in all Units have heating, though!)
Bike and an INFALLIBLE BIKE LOCK - Only if you live at CKC and don’t have a raging passion for walking (you’ll develop one anyways). Don’t bring/buy a super-expensive bike unless you’re in Cal Cycling or Triathlon, and get it registered with UCPD ASAP.


WHAT TO NOT BRING:

ANYTHING WITH AN OPEN HEATING ELEMENT AND STRING LIGHTING. The Fire Marshall prohibits it and you will get in trouble if it’s present. Includes: HALOGEN LIGHTING, Foreman grills, hot pot/gas ranges, TOASTERS, candles with a wick (but you can cut off the wick and keep it around for scent), rope or holiday/decorative string lights, lava lamps (why??), electric frying pans, etc.

ANYTHING THAT WOULD DAMAGE THE WALLS/FLOOR/DOORS/WINDOWS. You’ll get charged.

STUFF YOU DO NOT NEED. You do not need the aforementioned 6’ bookshelf (or any furniture, for that matter). You do not need custom interior decor. You do not need 5 packs of notecards, 14 stuffed animals, a drum set, or a giant bean bag chair (unless your roommate is cool with it). If you find out that you DO need something, you can always buy it at Ikea, Daiso (Google it if you don’t know what it is, which is HEAVEN.), or Target.

From the provided list:

1. Iron - Unless you’re planning to rush a business frat (e.g. DSP, AKPsi) or spend a lot of time wearing dress shirts, you’ll seriously never use it.

2. Laundry basket - Waste of space. Buy one of those pop-up hampers or use those big plastic Ikea bags to store dirty laundry and tote it to the laundry rooms (just wipe it down in-between with a Lysol wipe).

3. Microwave/Mini-Fridge - Unless you REALLY WANT ONE to have forever and ever–Housing offers microwave/mini-fridge rentals for the year. Super convenient and saves tons of space in the car if you’re driving to Cal.

4. Music Player/Stereo System - How old is this list??

Other:

1. Over-the-door hooks/Iron Gym workout bar - UNLESS you live in U4 (Bowles/Stern, Foothill) and maybe CKC (unsure). In the Units, the doors fit too tightly into their jambs to accommodate the hooks–you might be charged for damaging the paint.

2. Sleeping bag - Unless you’re a forestry or other major that goes on field trips and/or like camping.

3. Curtains/Blinds - Uh, those’re provided.