<p>My DD is traveling from California to Hanover to begin her freshmen year. I was hoping to get tips on what things to pack for the flight to Hanover and what things to purchase when in Hanover. What's the goto courier (Fed-Ex,UPS or USPS)? How close is the nearest Bed Bath & Beyond, Target & Walmart. Are there local stores that you'd recommended for dorm shopping? I have a small microwave should I ship it? What about laundry detergent, is it best to purchase a large box and store it in her room. As for clothing, should I purchase winter gear at my local REI or is there an outdoor clothing store nearby? Any helpful tips will be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>IF anyone offers free shipping you can have stuff shipped to her HB about 2 weeks before she arrives and pick it up on campus at the post office. UPS will ship a trunk (as long as it is locked). you can set your stuff up on line, they will come to your house and pick up (again ship to her Hinman Box) when you get it.</p>
<p>sybbie719
thanks for your valued input.</p>
<p>If you are going to travel out there when she gets back from trip (she’s going on one, right?) and help her settle in, I would recommend buying there rather than shipping. K-Mart and Walmart are in West Lebanon. There is a free bus route, but it’s a lot easier with a car. (Take South Main out of town, turn right on 12A, and watch for the strip malls. Kmart is on the right hand side before you get to 89; Walmart is on the left after you go under the freeway.) Walmart had everything we needed for D’s room four years ago. A fan is likely to be more valuable than a microwave. A mini-fridge too. There is a sale of used stuff on campus in the first week or so, but you have to get there early to score the good stuff. She can buy laundry detergent (and almost anything else) at the CVS on South Main. I would wait to buy winter gear until she gets a sense of what works best. Highly recommend you do not get North Face black fleece or she will never be able to tell hers from all the others. </p>
<p>Repeating offer I made last year. I have my own travel tips (four years of experience) for driving from Boston/Logan to Hanover and back. Happy to share them with anyone. Just PM me. </p>
<p>DartDad17, we’re in Berkeley. If I can answer any questions, you can PM me here or email me directly (my moniker is also a gmail address). </p>
<p>Get ready for a great four years! I had a really heavy heart leaving Hanover last Sunday after commencement. Wish I had another kid and could do it all over again.</p>
<p>DartDad, I highly recommend using Walmart’s site to store. The Walmart in West Leb is small and their selection is limited. You can go on Walmart’s website a few weeks before she leaves and order anything she wants. Then you just pick it up in the local store. There is also a Kohl’s in West Leb. Sybbie gave great advice on shipping to her Hinman box, and I totally agree with Aboutthesame on avoiding black jackets ( and I have used the travel tips…very very good). For laundry detergent, I recommend the pods. Much easier to grab one than lug a detergent box or bottle. Things you might want to get include a full length mirror, 3m removable jumbo hooks for coats and towels, plastic underbed storage drawers, a mini fridge, etc. My D has a very small futon that she has used all 3 years. The beds in the dorms are adjustable, so you don’t need risers. You are lucky to have 4 years ahead of you!</p>
<p>Thanks you all for your insightful replies. She is my only child from my deceased first wife, I raised her from age of 2 and now she is leaving the nest. I just want to make sure I send her off equipped. She is so excited and I am so sad…lol. @abouthesame, I am NE of Sacramento in Granite Bay and I travel through Berkeley quite often and yes she is going on the DOC trip. I will email you about the travel tips.
Again, thanks!</p>
<p>DartDad17, let me know the next time you’re coming through town. I work at SF civic center and would be more than happy to sit down with you over lunch or have you and D over to our house for dinner or a weekend lunch or whatever. Has your D thought about playing rugby? (Promised mine I’d be on the look out for candidates.)<br>
[Dartmouth</a> Women’s Rugby](<a href=“Dartmouth Women's Rugby”>http://www.dartmouthwomensrugby.com/)</p>
<p>AboutTheSame, I will contact you through email soon. I will be in your direction over the weekend and the following. Lunch/dinner would be nice either out somewhere or at your home, Im good either way. D has yet to meet any current students attending Dartmouth. D runs track, 100m and 4x100 relay, she recently expressed an interest in crew so we will see.</p>
<p>@Sybbie or @AboutTheSame
When will I be notified about DD Hinman Box for shipping. I received a packet in the mail today from the “Dartmouth College Office of residential life”. Are you familiar with Residential Hall Linens? Are they a reliable source for room decor?</p>
<p>Do not bother with linen service (buying or laundry). You can get better quality (and more choices of color & pattern) at any of the stores in Lebanon. </p>
<p>But, here’s something I would recommend: a bed warmer/heated mattress pad. Some of the dorms can be cooooooold in winter (yes, I’m talking about you, Choates), and D’s tootsies were often happy to have extra warmth. </p>
<p>Sorry, but I don’t recall when the HB info’ came. Might have come in an email directly to her. We waited until she was back from Trips to ship stuff. </p>
<p>Additional unsolicited advice: see if she can be covered by your health plan rather than buying the college plan. Saved us a chunk of change each year (and she can still use Dick’s House). I have Blue Shield and the Away From Home Care folks will make you take you back everything you ever thought or said about medical bureaucracies. At least, that’s been my experience. Helpful, knowledgeable & efficient. Unlike the other Blue Shield offices I’ve dealt with. (End of editorial.)</p>
<p>Another consideration is to have your daughter sign up for [Amazon</a> Prime](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info"]Amazon”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info). It is free for the first six months which should cover your major needs, and you can ship things to her HB within two days of order.</p>
<p>Please don’t worry about your D. The fact that she got into Dartmouth speaks plenty about her, and Dartmouth does a fantastic job of onboarding the worst class in the world.</p>
<p>Start thinking about making reservations for your [First</a> Year Family Weekend](<a href=“Home | Collis Center for Student Involvement”>Home | Collis Center for Student Involvement) in the spring if you can swing it.</p>
<p>not a fan of shipping to the student mail box for move-in. It’s a literal zoo with hundreds of other students waiting in line. Plus, the boxes might not even be checked in yet by the mail room, so you will not be able to access them even if they are there.</p>
<p>We too, came from California. Shipped several boxes ground to the hotel, arriving a day ahead of us. Took bedding in a box and other, critical, must have items for Day 1, on the plane. (62 linear inches max.)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It’s a reputable company that serves many colleges. But, their sheets are pretty indestructible, with a low thread count. As a result, not very soft. I much prefer XL’s from one of the major retailers. Bed, Bath and Beyond can also ship direct.</p>
<p>Bought a mini Avanti refrigerator online (Compact Appliance), and had it shipped (free) to the hotel, and we just drove it over. The refer lasted all four years, and was much, much cheaper than renting. Did the same for my D who attended a different college. Donated it to the school when we left.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I would wait on that item. Son’s dorm was plenty warm, and he had the window cracked during most of the winter.</p>
<p>Don’t forget that NH has zero sales tax.</p>
<p>Congrats and enjoy the ride.</p>
<p>
.</p>
<p>…ever! </p>
<p>sorry, I just had to “fix” that for you. :D</p>
<p>Thanks all for all the valuable input. Spoke with housing today and was told not to do anything until Hinman box is secured so I will wait. Also computer purchase questions were answered by IT department, I will be sending DD down with the MacBook I am typing on since it exceeds all min requirements DD just needs to do a some downloads at Dartmouth and purchase Office.
@ddpr03- I almost booked a room today for FYFW but thought it was a bit premature maybe I will book tomorrow, any good hotel suggestions?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>As a general rule of thumb, when we visit Hanover, we do not spend time where we are sleeping. We look for every opportunity to take kids out to meals, attend sporting events, and other activities on campus. So even when we stay at B&B’s (wonderful folks run them on both sides of the state line), we are more likely to breakfast with a crew at Lou’s. There is no doubt that the Hanover Inn and Six South are the most convenient, but bring extra arms and legs on big weekends. Some of the non-chain places (e.g., B&B’s, Norwich Inn) will value loyalty when it comes to graduation. The counter to this is that parking in Hanover is atrocious, especially graduation weekend, and the dorms are a great option. Your loyalty to paying tuition is enough to get you into the dorms.</p>
<p>Now that I have you thoroughly confused you, there is no place in 10+ different places that we have stayed in the Upper Valley, ranging from Sunset to the Hanover Inn, to which we would not return. Shop on price or loyalty depending on what is important to you. I would go ahead and make a refundable reservation just to have an option. Looking at prices for your family weekend, if it were me, I would probably book the Sunset (two miles south of Dartmouth) for $67 per night because I would only be sleeping there. I would reinvest the delta over other options into meals for tripees, floormates, and other new friends made along the way. Maybe this will not be as apparent at the outset, but college kids really do appreciate a good meal outside the dining hall. If you are more likely to spend time where you stay vs. on the Collis porch, check tripadvisor for the local B&B’s.</p>
<p>Another suggestion for you is to get involved with your local Dartmouth Club. They welcome alums and parents. It is a great networking opportunity that could benefit your daughter longer term.</p>
<p>Try to get to Hanover at least once a year. As you will see in the Parent’s thread, these next four years will be gone before you know it.</p>
<p>From our point of view, it was worth staying in town, since D would have class/practice/games, and it was nice for us to have a quiet place to return to and relax. Also nice to not have to look for a parking place. Plus, unless you take a red eye, you’re guaranteed to arrive in town late-ish, and we found it nice to drop the car, check in, take a quick shower, and then have a late dinner with D without having to get back in the car after driving up from the airport in Boston. What ddpr03 said about customer loyalty is very true. As much as I like the Inn, you don’t get any points for staying there, since it’s full of the College’s guests at graduation. I would have spent more nights at Six South Street had I thought about it although I don’t like it nearly as well. The Norwich Inn mentioned above is another place that many people have spoken highly of, and I’d call it walkable (1.6 miles according to Google maps). Final note: we had no problems parking during graduation weekend, despite all the warnings about gridlock (parked right on Lebanon Street the day itself). Of course, we’re early risers and don’t mind walking a few blocks rather than insisting on parking right at our destination. Totally agree you should get to Hanover as often as you can.</p>
<p>We’ve primarily in White River Junction since those places were less expensive. It’s an quick 10 minute drive up the freeway to the Dartmouth exit.</p>
<p>I’ve also stayed at the Marriotts by the med center, which are standard Marriott. Da’ wife spent a few days at Sixth Street and thought it was wonderful, and great without a car. </p>
<p>My favorite parking lot is 7 Lebanon. Central location, free on weekends. Around the corner from Lou’s, Even parked there for graduation.</p>
<p>Don’t miss Simon Pearce for dinner in Queeche Vt.</p>
<p>We stayed in the Marriotts the most, but we also stayed at White River Junction, the Quality Inn in Quechee, VT, and the Norwich Inn in VT. The Norwich Inn was charming. Never stayed in the Hanover Inn - too expensive.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t run out and buy a fridge until D has coordinated with her roommate(s), if any. I certainly would not pay to ship it from California! My S and his roomie bought a used one at the sale on move-in day for $25. I didn’t think that microwaves were allowed, has that changed? Some dorms are very warm, so I wouldn’t buy a heated mattress pad either. A window fan and an extension cord, yes. A memory foam topper, yes. Definitely do not buy winter outerwear in California: it is highly unlikely that you would get what she really needs. If you send her with a fleece/hoodie and some long-sleeved Ts that she can layer, she’ll be able to buy what she wants and needs either in West Leb or online as the weather gets colder.</p>
<p>I think you can get everything you’ll need right there, although you may want to pick out bed linens elsewhere and have them sent, for aesthetic reasons. The Company Store is a great source of quality, well-priced sheets and duvet covers. I actually sent D to college with the comforter from his bed at home, which was a lightweight down with a flannel cover. A queen-sized comforter fits well on an X-long twin, and comes down the sides enough to act as a bedspread. And of course it will continue to be useful after college, unlike the twin stuff. I would suggest also buying a fleece blanket in a complimentary color. Gives her flexibility, depending on the temperature.</p>
<p>Simon Pearce for dinner is definitely great. :)</p>
<p>Wow Dartmouth parents are so helpful, I think Im going to enjoy getting to know everyone!
Thanks Again!</p>
<p>A strong suggestion to students who are not driven to campus – you don’t need a lot of stuff. Bring half of what you think that you need. You can always have folks mail things to you as you determine that you do, indeed, need something. After first year, you become a nomad (Dartmouth Plan), and having to manage all of your stuff becomes a huge headache. The less you have to put into storage for each move, the easier your life will be. For some reason, moving out at the end of each term and heading to your next adventure ends up being an incredible scramble no matter how organized you are. This is clearly less an issue if you can load up a car at the end of a term.</p>