I was asked this in person by someone in the class of 2021 so thought would repost it. Some of the info liely needs updating by those with more recent knowledge (mine is about 5 years out of date.)
Packing and Furbishing Info:
I get lots of requests, and lots of this info is scattered throughout other posts, so thought it would be more useful moved to its own thread. I’m not a current student, but (unfortunately) not much has changed about the dorms most freshman live in over the past 30+ years. (I could swear they still have some of the same hall carpeting!) and I’m back in the dorms often with reunions, and my student. So I thought I would try to compile this list. (and I know it’s often the Moms who really want to know). Current students, please copy, paste, edit and add to this as you see fit. (my student has way too much stuff, so take some of this info in that light.) Most items do not need to come from home necessarily, although they are cheaper away from campus.
Freshman dorm/outfitting info list:
Bedding: all beds are extra long twins. the mattresses are so/so, and often “springs” are worse. A bed “topper” is nice: Foam or whatever and a mattress cover. Some may want a bedboard.
2 sets of sheet is fine. If you are quick with laundry, one set might be enough. The ones sold via Brown are just a national service, and NOT great texture (low thread count). Unless you really don’t care, definitely bring/get your own pillow. Depending on the dorm, a comforter, light blanket may be enough. (very few dorms get very cold).
Pillow to prop up in bed if you tend to do that.
Storage: rooms come with smallish 3 drawer dresser, bookcase (good size built in in Keeney) adequate size freestanding in most other dorms. EmWooleyMoChamp have small over desk hutches. You likely do not need an extra bookcase. If you have lots to store: bed risers are very helpful to get bed high enough for suitcases, underbed storage boxes etc. esp in rooms with smaller freestanding closets. (Ikea has the best!)
If you have free standing closet, an extra laundry basket will fit on top of it in most rooms and is a good way to store stuff.
Some kind of small tote thing to carry your toiletries back and forth to shower. (it will get wet).
Over the door hook. Wide bracket (thicker fire doors) preferable to have 3-4 hooks (share with roomie) Doors are not magnet useful. You are not supposed to use any sticky things that cannot come off. (Command hooks do work on more surfaces and some walls.)
Laundry basket. (or drawstring bag, or just pillow case) Likely you will need to lug at least 2 loads of laundry at a time plus detergent and dryer sheets up and down some stairs, and maybe set it down on not the cleanest surface. plan according to your tolerance for this.
Command removable hooks are very useful.
Dorm “decor”:
chair: not necessary for the most part, unless you are super picky re desk chair. (and then what do you do with the Brown one? I think you can put in basement storage in most dorms, but have to make sure you have one at end of year.) Most rooms may not have room for extra furniture (bean bags etc)
Curtains: nice, not necessary. (rooms come with roller shades) unless you need black out around the edges in a east/south facing room. Most rooms you cannot hang curtains except with spring tension rods inside window. Keeney has some rooms that students have put one big rod across both windows. a few of rooms that were lounges have curtain rods.
Study/reading light: room lighting not adequate for this. May or may not be able to have something to clamp to(don’t count on it). Best to have something can move/direct and that might not keep roommate awake. Floor lamps usually don’t fit. Might wait to see how your furniture fits to decide on this. (or be handy, or have a dad who is, lol) Halogen not “legal” due to fire hazard (I think still?)
Fan: most students consider this a must have for about the first and last 2 weeks of the year. Something pretty strong but small. (If parents are coming by van etc, this is really nice extra to bring a big window box one and then take it home, for the heat of move in. (or sometimes there is space to store in room.))
rug: floors are pretty dreary tile. the few that are carpeted I think are worse. There are dealers with trucks selling on campus at move in time. pretty decent prices, but also works to bring and maybe better selection if you can get your room dimensions and work out with roomie. 2 good size throw rugs can work, but room size is nice. If you tend to bring lots of dirt in on your cleats, then maybe you want the tile! Vacuum: going to be hard to find space to store, (unless you have the EWMC storage closets). Would wait and find if someone has one you can share? Ideally there would be one per hall, but Brown does not provide.
Fridge: considered by most to be a necessity. One per room works best space wise. can rent from BSA. About 2 years use =buying on sale at home. (not including storage cost)
Microwave: even cheaper to buy. get a small one, unlikely to need a big one. (kitchens also have them, so not absolutely necessary.)
Extras:
mirror: cheap full length one (esp for gals) Most rooms have no or poor mirrors.
Good big sturdy door stop (the old rubber kind) Nice for being sociable. doors close automatically.
extra dry erase markers for door memo board. (Brown supplies the board).
at least 2 good extension cords (Brown wants you to have the kind with surge suppressor/ fuse. I would get at least one with a flat flush plug end).
printer: you can live without one, using the brown ones etc, but it is nice to have a small one. (again only one per room if you can share).
noise cancelling head phones if noise bothers you for studying etc. (just a suggestion that many students I know end up buying sometime in the first semester. )
All freshman rooms have small safes (supposed to be big enough for a laptop) (usually in the closet) one per student, usually working, (and rarely used except for storage or over holiday times).
Shopping is best in Sekonk, just a short drive from Brown. (big stores, lower prices, not as skanky as the Walmart in N. Providence.) Large groceries there also. Ikea is just south of Boston (about 35-40 min, or just off Highway 95 in NewHaven on your way up if coming that way. ) Huge but not all that cheap outlet center in Foxboro mass. Mall down town has a Bed Bath and Beyond. (save all those coupons. ). This is your closest to Brown place. You may still be able to pre-order on line at BB&B for pick up at the Providence store. Nice if flying in, then Uber up the hill.