<p>Just picked up geek_son and all his stuff. He said that he’s going to pack about a third of it to take with him next year! I’m not sure what he’ll leave behind yet, but probably anything and everything decorative along with half the clothes, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. I think he asked me to send him two things during the whole school year – an umbrella and a first aid item for cold sores. He ran out of laundry soap once, too (as a mom, this makes me very happy :D).</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but AFAIK candles are not allowed. Check out thinkgeek.com or flashingblinkylights.com for some interesting glowy things that could substitute for candles.</p>
<p>Don’t bring a vacuum. If you keep your room tidy, it will periodically be vacuumed for you.</p>
<p>If you loft your bed on something other than your desk, you could fit a beanbag chair comfortably underneath it. You’ll probably spend more of your “hanging out” time in Platt or a dorm lounge, though. I wouldn’t bring a beanbag chair unless you have a favorite one you can’t part with.</p>
<p>Mudders have a history of scavenging old furniture, especially couches but also chairs. geek_son’s a little bummed that we apparently left behind the nice office chair he scored this year.</p>
<p>Tape and thumbtacks are a big deal at move-out time; you can get charged for those. Gaffer’s tape or that blue painter’s tape from the hardware store would be fine, as they’re designed to be removed without leaving a residue. In geek_son’s room, one wall was dominated by a white bulletin board (which was lined on the bottom by a row of grounded electrical outlets – awesome!). So that’s a place where you could hang posters or whatever with thumbtacks.</p>
<p>I think I mentioned over-the-door hooks last time – they can hang on the edge of the bed and provide a place to stash your laundry bag and/or your backpack.</p>
<p>Your favorite mode of self-propelled wheeled transport – skateboard, longboard, rollerblades, bicycle, unicycle – will get a lot of use. If you bring a bike or unicycle, bring a good lock and use it.</p>
<p>New frosh are expected to dress nicely for the roster signing. A couple of parties have a formalwear theme, and one has a “wild West” theme. You might want to bring appropriate clothes for these. And something black and dressy-looking if you’re involved in any music performance (band, choir). For the guys, that means black tux, white pleated wing-tip shirt, black bow tie, black shoes that aren’t high-tops or sandals. For the girls, there’s so much latitude it’s a little sad.</p>
<p>@maruhan, FWIW, geek<em>son’s roommate had a printer right in their room, but AFAIK geek</em>son never borrowed it. OTOH he did borrow his roomie’s stapler a few times.</p>