<p>Help me construct a list of items / conveniences needed for a new student for Spring 2010 admit. Also, what is a realistic monthly budget for everyday expenses?</p>
<p>Well, a fan would be nice (but would be more relevant to fall admits). Also, I don’t think I spend a lot of money per month. Honestly, I just put 20 dollars on my one card every month or so. I go out a few times. You don’t need $50, but it might be nice. I have survived on almost nothing. :)</p>
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<p>Feel free to add if Kate forgot anything. 
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html</a></p>
<p>Do we need to bring any furniture? (Desk, chair, book case, lamp, microwave…)</p>
<p>Did you bring your own printer?</p>
<p>^ ^
You own a moving company? </p>
<p>In all seriousness, bring the basics. After your daughter has moved into her dorm, you’ll be cognizant of any additional items needed. Walmart and Target are a short jaunt. And on your way, treat yourself and visit Atkins Farm Country Market.</p>
<p>Yes, re: the printer. No furniture.</p>
<p>If you bring a tv, keep in mind cable is kind of expensive. 235 this year I think… it was only 180 when I was a first year :(</p>
<p>Cleaning supplies like brooms, dustpans, vaccums are available for students to use, but I would bring a swiffer too. There are microwaves on every floor, but you and your roommate will want to have a mini fridge in your room. Bookcase, desk, etc are all provided. Beds are twin size, not twin xl. There are printers in every dorm, but they’re not always reliable. Also I think we get some money per semester for print/copy in the library. I used my printer all the time my first two years when I had lab reports or homework on a daily basis, but the last two years I’ve left it in a box in the trunk room. It’s not a necessity.</p>
<p>I don’t spend money on food because the food here is pretty good, and it’s pretty easy to hoard food from the dining halls if you want snacks later. My biggest expense is definitely books, $200-$400 each semester. My family lent me a car to use here, but I almost always take the bus to five college classes, because the bus is free and I won’t have to worry about parking. Most of my friends don’t have cars and it’s not a big deal. Laundry is about $3 for one load to wash and dry. Transportation is also a pretty big cost for some people, since we’re at least 40 minutes away from Bradley airport,</p>
<p>I think the printer issue is personal preference. My daughter relies heavily on her printer. We start her off with two reams of paper and, since she prints on both sides when possible, that seems to work well. (She may well purchase additional, but doesn’t report in…)</p>
<p>Rooms come with a regular twin bed, desk, chair, bookshelf and chest of drawers. My daughter has an under the bed container for sheets, off season blanket,etc.) My daughter requested a desk lamp and a bedside lamp. She had bought one of those target floor lamps with multicolored shades, but those were apparently banned as potential fire hazzards. This past year (year 3), we bought her a small bedside plastic drawer/table, needed because of the room cofiguration. </p>
<p>The one thing that I did send up that she and her roomies have loved is a coat tree (Bed Bath and Beyond). They can hang their wet coats/towels on it. (Can you tell I had an older child in college in Buffalo!!!)</p>
<p>My daughter has never wanted a fridge. She is happy with the food choices on campus and doesn’t see the need. She doesn’t want her car up there either. She is very satisfied using the bus system for her consortium classes for the reasons expressed above…plus----“why have to scrape the car in the winter when you can just get on the bus?!”</p>
<p>As stated by Crewdad, Target and Walmart are within easy reach, so i wouldn’t stress. </p>
<p>If you are from a distance, I would try to make reservations now for a hotel in the area.</p>
<p>In addition to Target and Wal-mart, the Ocean State Job Lot right on Memorial Drive in Chicopee is very popular with our students. :)</p>
<p>But… you will find more of what you need at Target and Walmart. While the stuff at Job Lot is <em>really</em> cheap, it can also break apart really fast. There’s a packing list on the site. [Mount</a> Holyoke College :: Packing List](<a href=“http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/reslife/13998.shtml]Mount”>http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/reslife/13998.shtml)</p>
<p>There can be some really awesome deals there, though. It’s a last-resort type of place, but it’s still an option.</p>