Admitted & Needing help from current/past students

Colleges & Universities A-Z Syracuse University
1

<p>Hey,
I’m a soon-to-be student at Syracuse and I have some questions for those that are already a student or was a student in the recent past. </p>

<li><p>Is “New Student Record” worth buying? The link is here below if you don’t recall what it is. I’m not sure if this is something I should really consider buying or even take part in. <a href=“http://www.herffjones.com/TheFreshmanRecord/information/benefits.htm[/url]”>http://www.herffjones.com/TheFreshmanRecord/information/benefits.htm</a>
Do a lot of people actually participate in this? </p></li>
<li><p>Are equipments/supplies from the Resident Hall Linens Program reliable?
<a href=“https://www.rhl.org/syr/linens.aspx[/url]”>https://www.rhl.org/syr/linens.aspx</a> They appear to be perfectly fine. Has anyone had any personal experiences with them and could provide some personal feedbacks?</p></li>
<li><p>It doesn’t seem like health insurance is required at SU, but would you advise that students get them anyway? (I do not have medical insurance and thus, if I were to buy medical insurance, it would be from SU/SU providers) Are most of the students at SU covered?
Due to the financial burden, I’m not sure how do deal with this. At the moment, I do not have any medical conditions. </p></li>
<li><p>Food at SU. Are we limited to a certain amount or is it like a buffet style meal? </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks for reading my thread. If there are any additional information you’d like to share about SU, please do so. I would love to read them. =)</p>

2

<p>Oooh this could get long...
1. No
2. No. Go ahead and buy your own. That way you're sure to get what you want, and won't pay extra for things you may not need.
3. Uhm, I'm no expert, but I think medical insurance is a good idea. If you end up needing medication or x-rays or something, it makes everything nice and easy.
4. All you can eat. If you aren't a disciplined eater, start learning to be now. It's very easy to keep getting food just bc everyone's still sitting and chatting in the dining hall. You can also get your meals to-go, fyi. Oh, and most people end up desperately trying to finish off SUpercardFood money in the last week. You don't need much. </p>

<p>Keeping a mini fridge and microwave in your room for water bottles and snacks is common practice. Talk to your roommate about splitting the appliances. For example, I brought a microwave and my roommate brought a fridge. That way we shared during the year, and got to keep our own things when we left.</p>

<p>Get a little vacuum. Mine's cordless; it was a big hit.
Get a rolling hamper.
Bubble umbrella's are tough to find, but handy. Look online.
If you're not from the North, here are a few tips I picked up (I'm from FL):
Boots should have traction, not just warmth. Only needed that tip once or twice, but still.
Knit scarves are better for wrapping your face against the constant (and cruel) wind.
Mittens are better than gloves. "Glittens", or as a friend calls them, "smittens" are better than either. (convertible mittens, if you're wondering).
Not much of a need for bulky sweaters. Light layers and heavy coats do the trick, plus then you can strip down to a tank top in the indoor heat.
Get the best moisturizer you can find. That goes for guys, too.
Chapstick.
For girls, rain boots get more use than anything else. Apparently rubber's warm.
Get something to hold your i.d. card that is easy to get into- numb fingers are sensitive (oxymoron?)
Salt ruins everything. </p>

<p>Anything else? Just ask!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for taking the time to reply!
I didn't expect so much great info, thanks a lot!</p>

<p>I'm from the North, (Vermont) and I have some other misc questions.
1. How many towels should I bring? I have no idea how often I'll be doing laundry and that really gets me thinking on how many towels/shirts/etc that I must bring. (May sound a little naive but do people actually use a towel once after taking a shower and throw it in the laundry basket?)</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Do you recall the specific requirements for the microwave? I'm actually on that same kind of deal with my roommate where he will bring the fridge and I will bring the microwave. I would hate to have to get a new one for not meeting the set standards. </p></li>
<li><p>Akward question, but do we even have to bring our own toilet paper or is it so basic that it's provided? And how about general napkins/paper towels? Are they provided for the floor or are individuals responsible for their own use? </p></li>
<li><p>Do freshmens bring pots and pans? I've seen it under the list of the typical "What to bring to college" list. I was a bit suprised at first but then it got me thinking and now I'm curious enough to ask you personally. =?</p></li>
<li><p>I believe chair and desks are provided, as well as lighting for the room. Is this correct? This would mean that there are less things I will have to buy. (Btw: If this helps at all, I will be in Brewster (under the quiet hours learning community), most likely in an open double or a split double) And what kind of chairs are these? Comfortable enough to sit for hours working on a paper? </p></li>
<li><p>Lastly, I'm bringing a pop-open hamper for dirty laundry but does that mean that I should also bring another laundry basket to bring up clean clothes? And how do students go about handling wet laundry from the dry dirty clothes? Just throw it in the same hamper or somehow let it dry first?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Some of the questions may seem really basic and odd (I know, it must sound a little weird) but one way or another, I'm truly curious. I might be thinking over this way too much but still, it's on my mind.
Hopefully, you can clear up some of these questions =)</p>

4

<ol>
<li><p>Try to do laundry every two weeks. That's how most kids do it, and then your bedding isn't, er, gross. 2 or 3 towels. Many girls wear robes. EVERYONE wears shower shoes. </p></li>
<li><p>Haha set standards. No ones checks. But no, I don't know the specific requirements. I never knew the specific requirements. </p></li>
<li><p>Toilet paper the school provides. SU is a fan of those hand blow dryers. Bring your own paper towels. Our floor had dish detergent in the common room for some reason, but I suggest bringing your own dish washing materials (a bottle sponge is handy bc the school gives out SU reusable bottles for the dining hall). Many kids bring their own dishes. Paper plates and throw away utensils came in handy. There should a sink, TV, and Microwave in every common room, there's a common room on every floor (in standard dorms)</p></li>
<li><p>Pots and pans- but where will you cook? You can't do a lot of cooking in the dorm. I don't know anyone with pots or pans. The fire detectors are very, very sensitive. They will stress this when you get there. </p></li>
<li><p>Dorms across the country seem to use those rocking desk chairs, which are pretty entertaining. I'm not a desk person, so I can't attest to the chair's comfyness for paper writing. I'll explain my desk set up some other time. Some kids ask FixIt (our school handymen) to remove them bc they brought their own more personalized chairs (a good friend used an exercise ball and used her desk chair for extra seating). Bring a desk lamp. My roomie and I had party lights (those paper lantern-style things on stings, you know?) </p></li>
<li><p>Most kids use their hampers as laundry baskets. Many kids have folding drying racks. My roommate set up a bungy line across her room. I noticed that the dorms have a sort of lip going across 2 of the walls just wide enough the hang a hanger. Basically our room was decorated in laundry half the time.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>These aren't weird questions, they're the kind of questions I wish people asked more. Mostly kids show up, and figure things out later, or too late. </p>

<p>Oh one last thing: So you're living in Brewster, huh? Well, lemme blab a lil bout that too.
People say it's far away but I dn what that's supposed to mean. It is all the way down the hill, though. Slippery and steep. Your dining hall is great. But the BBB complex is the least safe on campus, so you have 24hr guards checking IDs. Walk w/ a buddy. </p>

<p>Oh and when you get your key/ID (if u punch a hole in it, it works) lanyards from SU don't wear them and don't travel in herds, upperclassmen will moo at you. And the doors at the top of the Carnegie stairs don't open. Believe me, those are tips you'll need.</p>

5

<p>wow, I'll in the Boland.</p>

6

<p>Yet again, thanks for much for your input. I'm making good use of all your advice and feedbacks.
And as for the Carnegie stairs, I actually saw two students (SU students) who tried to go through the top doors during my tour. My tour guide couldn't believe it and suggested we take pictures. =)</p>

<p>Anyhow, I just came back from the Container Store to buy some goods. And rather than asking you what to bring one at a time, I decided I could post what I'm planning on bringing and see what you think. I'll come back often to see your response. </p>

<p>3-hole puncher
Acne/cleansing wash/acne cream
Agenda
air freshener
airtight plastic containers for food
Alarm clock
Backpack
batteries, recharageable
belt
Binders
Bins or boxes for storing papers/folders
Blank CDs
Blanket: fleece or thermal
Bleach
Body lotion
Bookcase, great storage, can storage other things
boots
bowls
Bulletin board
calculator
Calendar
Camera
camera case
Can opener
CD case
CDs
cell phone
Cereals
Chair
clipboard?
Cold/Cough medicine
College-rule line paper
cologne
Colored markers/colored pencils
Comb
Comforter
Conditioner
Containers: small plastic or mesh containers for small accessories (paperclips/tape/white-out/shampoo)
cough drops
cups, disposable
window curtains?
Dayquil/Nyquil
deodorant
desk lamp
dish detergent
disposable utensils/plates
drawer
dress shoes
ear muffs
easy mac
eating utensils, disposable?
erasers
excercise gloves
Extension Cord
extra bulbs for desk lamp
eye drops
fabric softener
facial lotion
fan
favorite books
febreze for odor control
flashlight
flax seed oil
floss
folders with pockets
fruit juice
garbage bags
gel
gloves
glue?
greencard?
hair dryer
hand/feet cream
hand-held mirror
hangers
headphones
highlighters
ice pack
important software CDs
key chain
laptop
laundry basket?
laundry detergent
Laundry Hamper
lint roller
lip bbalm
long distance phone card
loofa/wash towel
lounge chair/bean bag?
Microwave
mouse
mousepad
mouthwash
multivitamin
nail clipper
nail file
neosporin
note cards
pain/fever relief, advil, etc
paper towels
paper trays?
paperclips
pencil sharpener
pencils/pencial case/container
pens
playing cards
portable flash drive
posters
post-it
power strips for more outlets
printer?
q-tips
radio/stereo
ramen noodle cups
razor, shaving cream, aftershavve
regular sneakers
Reusable water bottles
rug?
ruler
safebox/lockbox for valuables?
safety pins
scotch tape
screwdriver?
shampoo
Sharpies
sheets
shoe rack?
shower shoes
shower tote
soap container
soap/body wash
soup
spiral notebooks
ss card?
Stapler and staples
stomach relief, peopto bismol
storage crates
suction wall hooks?
sunglasses
swim goggles?
swim suit
tooth brush
toothbrush head placmenets
toothpaste
towels
trash can?
tree floor lamp?
tweezers
umbrella
underbed storage
vacuum
wallet
watch
waterless hand santizier
whiteout
winter hat
wrinkle spray rather than iron? Downy wrinkle release?
zip lock bags? </p>

<p>Some might be completely unnecessary because it's already provided, or simply unnecessary for the typical student at SU or any college. Feel free to make suggestions on what else to bring or what <em>not</em> to bring.
Lastly, I hope there are others who are using this thread to help their future pack-up plans. =)</p>

7

<p>Wow, you alphabetized it.
Looks good, you can get a lot of it once you get to campus.
I'll respond to your ? items:
Clipboard: can't hurt, but I've never found a use for one.
Curtains: provided.
Disposable Utensils: useful. Very, very useful.
Glue: sure. depends on the sort of classes you take, but eventually, there'll be a project. Tape and sticky tack are handy.
Greencard: Yes. Definitely.
Laundry Basket: Probably will just take up space. Just use your hamper. Oh, wait, is that what u meant?
Chair: try a folding chair- saves space.
Safe: it is my personal belief that if your items are so precious they need a safe, you should not keep them at college. But I do have a friend with a safe. Your call.
Screwdriver: yes.</p>

<p>Paper Trays: like an inbox? Sure, you'll be very organized if you want to be.
Printer: If you can afford to have your own printer, it's a nice thing to have, especially if you want to print in color. Otherwise, the school allows 500 free prints. I printed an entire play 7 times and didn't run out of paper.
Rug: the dorms are carpeted, but a rug is nice (and hygienic)
SS Card: Yes, or at least memorize your number.
Shoe rack: yes, or try a hanging shoe bag for space efficiency
Suction Wall Hooks: try the sticky one, the walls are porous (concrete blocks). Incidentally, those hooks are strong; I tore a chunk out of my wall removing a broken one.
Swim Goggles: if you intend to swim often and need goggles, sure.
Tree Lamp: Those are awfully nice to have.
Wrinkle spray: For the average college kid, that will be great. I liked my mini iron and ironing board, but I have a fussy wardrobe.
Ziplocks: yep.</p>

<p>Few things others should notice:
Vitamins. Take them, sleep, eat well, don't miss class bc you're sick all the time.
Cold medicine- try Zycam, it basically floods your body with zinc, and while I don't usually trust cold remedies, I swear by Zycam.
Air Freshener- yeah...well you don't wanna smell up the hall (my whole floor smelled like cupcakes from a friend's WallFlowers), your roommate might stink, and you might want a little Oust.
Oh, an odd little trick: if you want to meet people on your floor, make popcorn and leave the door open. </p>

<p>Oh and toss "thumb drive" on the list. A usb drive/memory stick/thumb drive is a real help for projects and printing. Newhouse kids, you will need one by 2nd semester. 1gb will do. </p>

<p>About a month left, guys! Who's excited?</p>

8

<p>Btw my name's Talie. I'm the only Talie at SU (and in most places), so feel free to facebook me.</p>

9

<p>Whoah, blowing your College CONFIDENTIAL cover Talie? What are you thinking? Haha. Anyways, I can't wait to get there! Maybe I'll see you around.</p>

10

<p>okay, so im going to be in marion hall for freshman year, can anyone tell me about marion (location, safety etc)</p>

11

<p>Marion is on the north end. Nice location. You're very near marshall street and kimmel. Sort of behind Bird Library, so Schine is nearby too.</p>

12

<p>What about full length mirrors?</p>

13

<p>go to Kmart, pay about $9. You can mount it on your closet door...or just lean it somewhere.</p>

14

<p>hmm does anyone know for sure whether i need extra long twin sheets or not? as opposed to normal twin. i'm in day hall.</p>

15

<p>getting extra long is always safe, because you never know what bed you'll have after freshman year, and you can always tuck in extra material. I'm pretty sure at SU you have to specifically ask for an extra long bed, but "facts" about dorms aren't set in stone (i.e. not all room's dimensions are the same).</p>

16

<p>might be a dumb question... but what about binders, dividers, and all that?</p>

17

<p>Buy it when you get there. You don't need too much in the way of school supplies. Oh and the bookstore is waaay overpriced. Try Fowlett's (sp?) in Marshall Square Mall, or better yet, get off the hill and find a Target.
Carousel Mall has an awful lot, too, and it's only a short bus ride from campus (with express shuttles on Friday nights and Saturdays).</p>

18

<p>If my roommate and I are each bringing a TV, do we need to get a splitter for the cable?</p>

19

<p>Don't bring two TVs. The dorm rooms aren't that big. You'll fight over the volumes if you're watching them at the same time. My roommate and I are sharing the TV.</p>

20

<p>Question: What size binders should we get? I always get 1" binders, but I don't know if that's big enough.</p>