<p>for those of us who have parents inexperienced in the college proccess...what are the neccesities to bring to college...vital information before leaving...such as how you are moving your stuff, dorm needs everything and anything</p>
<p>I'll give some advice, most of it should still pertain to umd even though I'm attending umbc currently.</p>
<p>Things you need to bring:
Your own computer/printer, I don't know why you wouldnt, but well, duh.
A fan, most UMD dorm's aren't airconditioned.
The essentials, and make sure to check for them over and over, it sucks to have realize you forgot your tooth brush/nail clippers/etc and have to go out and buy new ones first thing.
A desklight so you can work when your roomate is trying to sleep.
Headphones for similar reasons.
Shower sandals(or whatever their called) I currently have suite style bathrooms at this school, but they are a must for shared hall bathrooms from what I hear.
Some sort of medicine, advil, tylenol, etc...
I don't know the situation there, but here you need cable splitters because its 1 cable connection per room, not person, might be similar for network connections but I doubt it.
Trash can.
Stapler.
A swiss army knife is a godsend, I have two on my keychain but didn't bring it first semester, you can use them for anything. Screws, cutting, sharping pencils, just a million different uses.</p>
<p>You will get a paper from UMDCP that includes dorm essentials to have.
Some of the dorms are air-conditioned, though most are not. You can check yours on line at the resident life section..look under dorms at a glance. If you need to bring an air conditioner I recommend the Vornado..someone recommended it to me last year and it was worth every cent!</p>
<p>As far as what to take..in addition to the list above..a tote for bathroom and shower sandals are a must. Alarm clock. A corded telephone. Carpeting..we ordered ours from a company that sent MD students information. and it was delivered to the room but you have to lay it down, we also got rolling drawer things so she would have extra storage for her incidentals.
You can pick up bed lifts at bed bath and beyond to raise the height of the bed and then you can put stuff under it - crates for example with your books could then slide under your bed.
A small refridgerator is a must almost.
A memo board for your door is also fun to have ..</p>
<p>I made my D. a small medical box ..you can buy one ready made for about $10 and we added a few things to it.
Also a manuel can opener.
Be sure to take a few bowls, cups and plates and eating utensils. D. also took paper microwavable bowls she could throw out..she eats oatmeal and uses them for that.
AND she took a WATER FILTER PITCHER..this is handy as she did not like the taste of the water, so she could make fresh water..Brita makes good ones.
Also take a dish rag and dish cloth..
You may want to take a little food ..like microwave oatmeal, apples, goldfish, popcorn..
and a mini salt and pepper..but you can always get that later.</p>
<p>As far as moving stuff..you will need help on moving day. I stood with her stuff, her dad unloaded it (you are only allowed to park for a short time to unload) and then she and he carried it all in. We used sturdy trash bags, crates and her small suitcase (which she brings home when she visits) to tote stuff.
Dont make the mistake of using flimsy plastic bags which I saw one girl doing.</p>
<p>A gun because it is the ghetto.</p>
<p>^ unnecessary, but mildly humorous all the same.</p>
<p>in reality though, how bad is the area?</p>
<p>I've lived in 2 very nice areas all of my life as a teenager and child, and I've never had a problem living in College Park. People do get robbed though, even on campus, so it's best to walk with at least one other person at night. I've walked by myself dozens of times late at night though, and I haven't ran into any trouble...yet. You'll be fine if you play the area in a smart way.</p>
<p>Look on CampusDirt.com. Most of the students to not find it to be safe.</p>
<p>Poog, why are you constantly downing MD. When my D. decided to go there I a worrywort mom compared the crime stats with UNC and William and Mary her two other choices. They were almost EXACTLY THE SAME.
For the size William and Mary had almost the same amount of rapes, yet they are substantially smaller..UMD had more theft.
Otherwise..very very similar.
Poog I dont know what your gripe is against MD ..why not get over it and move on to the college you plan to attend.
My very bright, highly motivated, intelligent D. selected MD over free rides at other places and LOVES it!</p>
<p>PS it is NOT the ghetto..Why you insist on saying that I dont know. Did you perhaps apply and get turned down?
Move on. Its a great school!</p>
<p>^ thanks for an unbiased (word?) perspective. </p>
<p>plus, more students found the campus to be safe than unsafe, and most were in the middle (on campusdirt.com's survey thingy)</p>
<p>Really I just went and read the campusdirt info..I dont know Poog why you thought it was a negative..sounded right to me.</p>
<p>I will be honest and share that I am the biggest worrywort mom around..major time...heck who else would have the name angstridden.
Before I let my daughter go to UMDCP it was totally checked out.
I agree the town is not the prettiest. BUT the crime stats were same as her other choices..The campus - Gorgeous!..the classes we didnt know..but I will tell you right now there are only 15 others in her English class.
The school is awesome! And I am very very picky!</p>
<p>We visited UMDCP last month - I hadn't been there in 30 years - was very very impressed. It has come a long way, and I will say that EVERYONE from my son's school who has attended has been quite happy, even glowing, about MD, especially those in the Honors program.</p>
<p>The main strip near the college has lots of little restaurants..its very collegy..There are some not so good looking areas around there but then there are million dollar homes around there too..most of these you will hardly see as the campus is huge and the bulk of your time will be there.Though the main strip is often visited. And its fine.
And you are just a hop and a jump from metro where DC lies at your fingertips.</p>