Books & supplies

Prep School Admissions
41

<p>I'm going to quote myself, because someone has been strangely mistaken.</p>

<p>"I just figure that I should be paying for things like coffee and bookstore/snack bar runs. My mother will pay for everything (is fine w/ paying for all additional expenses), but I just figure that all of the little "extras" should be on me (including new linens and things for the dorm, etc.. things that aren't absolutely necessary but really are.. sort of..). I'm just trying to get a rough estimate of how much it will cost, before I sign any papers. I'm sure that whatever comes of it, I can afford it, but I would still like to know.. keeps my quiet and at peace!"</p>

<p>As stated above, I feel like I should pay for everything that is unnecessary and frivolous. My mother thinks it's stupid that I want to pay for my own food and laundry and everything other than tuition & fees, but I really, really want to have complete control over my finances and just be entirely independent. ..And contribute something. I was going to ask my grandfather for help (since he has financed other tuitions in the past and is a huge advocate for education), but I decided against that because I would like to have complete control over my finances and would like to be as independent as I can while I live on the other coast and prepare for college. Again, I want to pay for everything that I can. And I said that if I had a choice, my ideal room would be a hardwood floored single room in a large dormitory. Then I said that dorms don't really matter unless it's a dungeon/closet, and that I will be studying in the library and hanging out in the student centers, and just sleeping in the dorm.</p>

42

<p>And my house is not "ritzy". I really don't know where you come up with these things, but it would be nice if you would stop, for it's not your business in any way whatsoever.</p>

43

<p>sabooks - thanks for the kind words... you've obviously been around the bs environment for awhile (touring the various "snugs 'n grills") and it's nice for everyone to have your opinions posted on these boards. </p>

<p>blairt - we are also from CA and made several trips to see his games, etc. Visits always included a rental car to make Costco runs (to fill up the fridge in his room) and take s and a few of his bs friends out to dinners for a treat.</p>

<p>Last summer we were lucky enough to share an inexpensive climate-controlled storage unit near the Hartford Airport (Uncle Bob's Storage) with another returning LC student. The storage company provided free use of a small moving truck for 8 hours during the move-in. The 5x10 unit stored everything for both boys - room carpets, two mini-fridges, books & supplies, desk chairs, lamps, fold-up bookshelves, oak framed futon with mattress, desktop computers and stereo equipment, winter clothing, etc. We moved only hockey equipment and a few clothing items (sans sport coats!) back to CA for the summer. </p>

<p>BTW - lots of the kids ran around in flip-flops even in the winter! Most of the cold weather clothing we bought for our s ended up sitting in the closet in favor of a hoodie over the collared shirts...he still hasn't worn the down jacket even in Boston this year! I guess you get used to the harsh weather once you're there.</p>

44

<p>Actually, you wouldn't want to buy "vintage" ski jackets or winter gloves as the new technology in winter clothing material (thinsulate etc) is far superior to the old stuff. Most of the kids seem to wear Northface I think. There is a big difference between winter in New Hampshire and winter in Southern New England. It is much colder, and much longer.</p>

45

<p>Oh, yes, you definitely need Northface. A fleece and a down jacket should complete the outfit.</p>

46

<p>For winter clothing the REI brands (online store and retail in major cities) is very popular with the college students who are looking for quality at a reasonable cost. Although you don't have to be a member to shop, REI also offers annual rebates for member purchases!</p>

47

<p>sabooks - You're definitely right about the climate between NH and CT. Also we've been told that this winter and last have been pretty mild for the NE (global warming???)</p>

<p>REI and North Face (and probably others) offer the three-in-one type jacket systems which include a water/windproof outer jacket with zip-in lining (down or fleece) and all components can be worn separately during the various seasons.</p>

48

<p>buy lots of groceries- i find that i spend lots on things i shouldnt be buying like candy/soda etc. at the student center/bookstore (costs are deducted from ur student account)
also textbooks- its kinda strange for me coming from a public school to see ppl buying their own books, but geezus theyre so expensive!! ive actually spent alot less than most ppl ie because i borrow friends' used books, (the bookstore always runs out of the used ones...) or i get them from amazon.com and w/ rush shipping it still ends up cheaper than if id bought it from the bookstore. </p>

<p>ahh, its so tempting to spend tho, like it becomes very easy to sense differences in lifestyles, etc.</p>

49

<p>i just think that because everything is so available (ie, a charge account for a store 10 ft away w/ food that i will want when the dining hall is nasty), i may be a little less frugal than I usuay am. but i don't know..i've had a credit/debit card since I was 11 and I NEVER EVER spent a lot of money..at most, a pack of gum and lunch.</p>

50

<p>I think in NE, EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) is the popular place to buy Northface stuff.</p>

51

<p>blairt, you seem to be making a big deal about dining halls being nasty and not having vegetarian stuff. Well, I'm a VEGETARIAN, too and that was one of my biggest concerns about living away from home. No access to my stove to make my microwavable minestone soup, right? Well...first off, most dorms have a kitchen that they share with a certain amount of people. When you arrive at Exeter, go to a local grocery store and get whatever. The dining halls are usually pretty good, from what I've heard. They have pretty much everything. Andover has a whole vegetarian section of their hall, so I'm sure Exeter does as well.</p>

<p>About storing your stuff after the school year...</p>

<p>Instead of shipping things not needed over the summer, make a new friend. There's going to be tons of students at Exeter who are both day students and local boarders. Ask them to store some of your useless school year stuff in their attac, shed, garage, etc. I'm sure they would be happy to do that, I know I would be, but I unfortunately am not an Exeter student.</p>

<p>With all the local boarders whose homes are in MA and NH, and the day students, you are going to find it very easy to buy things and go places around New England. Just because you're going to BS doesn't mean you're going to be cooped up in Exeter's library, soccer fields, and dorms 24/7. Many of the local boarders take remote boarders home for the weekends, take them to stores, take them to restaurants, take them into Boston, etc. </p>

<p>I suggest not buying any of the extra stuff before you get here like bathroom stuff, dorm stuff, etc. It will just make shipping more difficult. New England has places to shop for all this stuff. Just because New Hampshire isn't the same as Cal., doesn't mean it has nothing to do. We have tons of stuff to do. Yes, there is an Ikea near Exeter. Walmart and Target will probably get you everything you want and need at a reasonable price, too. There are tons of malls, strip malls, and outlets around Exeter for clothes.</p>

<p>When you arrive at Exeter, you'll learn that everyone wants to help you out, so I'm almost positive you won't have any problems with the concerns you have now.</p>

<p>Good luck...</p>

52

<p>Some items we found to be useful in a dorm room:
- power strips - more than one, there are never enough outlets
- a hanging organizer for the closet - not much drawer space
- stackable cubes for alarm clock, cell phone charger, etc. The ones that are adaptable can be configured to suit any room.
- a feather or foam mattress cover - dorm beds are rarely luxurious
- office drawer organizer for the study desk
- reading lamp (or two)
- rug for floor (5' X 7' for a double room worked well)
- a plastic bin works well for extra linens, and it can be stored on the top shelf of the closet
- we brought my daughter's computer chair - she loves having extra seating for friends
- a good selection of DVD's is nice - my daughter's room is "Movie Central" on Saturday nights
- noise cancelling headphones can be great if you need quiet for study.
- For parents: the US Post Office has a one-price Priority Shipping bos ($8.40) which you can load up with care package items. I send out at least one per month.</p>

<p>I am planning to do the storage-over-summer idea - I know her stuff will never fit in my truck in one load.</p>

<p>Also, you may want to ask at the school which cell phone carriers work best. We ended up switching plans because Sprint didn't work well at her school.</p>

53

<p>I think you get financial aid at the exeter bookstore if you are a FA student... I'm not sure though.
Also, Exeter doesn't send a list of necessary items to bring...(or maybe they just didn't send one to me? :\ )
NH weather is really crazy and I strongly recommend RAIN BOOTS and a rain coat!</p>

54

<p>Also, for supplies (or even snacks), there is a weekly bus to Walmart and also a Walgreens in walking distance if you want to avoid high bookstore prices/Grill.
What I've done in the past for books is ask the faculty who teaches the course for the info. of the textbook so I can purchase it over break online for cheaper. :D</p>

55

<p>OK, so this might be random but forgive me. I just finished shoveling my driveway. While shoveling, I was thinking about what a west coast kid might need at a NE campus. I was thinking about footwear. Keeping your feet warm and DRY is essential. Then I started thinking about those very popular and expensive UGH boots. They sure look cute but they are SO impractical outdoors (at least the style I see on most teenagers around here, including my kid). Unless it's completely dry out and you take very careful care of them, they'll get ratty quick.</p>

56

<p>Umm, actually I walk in my UGGS through the snow. Sure, they are made of leather and get wet outside. Then, they look stained dark brown until they're completely dry. Water does not bleed through them easily and mine last for years. I have like 5 pairs, lol.</p>

57

<p>Get a foam mattress pad...especially if you have a hard time sleeping on firmer surfaces. There are lots of different kinds too. </p>

<p>A folding bookshelf is also a very good investment.</p>

58

<p>as a Californian, I grew wary of UGG boots long ago.</p>

<p>It's too bad, because I used to wear them as a baby and when I went skiing (in the car..still impratical to walk in the snow).. they didn't used to be so overexposed. They were comfy!! But now, I seriously couldn't.. at the risk of looking like one of the celebrity trashbags that walk around here.</p>

<p>Plus, the soles are foam.. not very pratical.</p>