<p>My mind is whirring already about dropping our daughter off at school. I'd appreciate some words of wisdom of the best, most efficient way of setting up her dorm room: linens, pillows, matress pads, other essentials. Anything you wish you would have known and would share? Tricks so as not to get caught up with the hundreds (if not thousands) and Bed, Bath & Beyond in State College?</p>
<p>I appreciate any and all tips and wisdom.</p>
<p>The one thing we missed bringing to PSU was a door stop to keep the door propped while the hall-mates were getting to know each other (and to keep a little air moving in the room).</p>
<p>You are right about trying to avoid BB&B. After four years of organized move-ins, last year we found ourselves at the Target in Watertown MA on what was move-in weekend for several schools. It looked like there had been a natural disaster. There was not a single desk lamp of any design left. Aisles were impassable with all the area rugs (and other stuff) on the ground. Lines out into the store. Never again.</p>
<p>Good idea about the doorstop! </p>
<p>I am going to try to ship everything DS will need (including his clothes and misc stuff) to my MIL in Johnstown. Then we just load her car and drive up. Really don’t want to deal with all that stuff on the airplane.</p>
<p>Switching subjects a little…back in the dark ages when I was in college…we had a “rule” that if a door was closed with a towel hanging over it - that meant that the folks inside were studying so don’t bother them. No towel - go ahead an knock. Does anything like that exist anymore?</p>
<p>I just moved in a week ago for the summer session and I would recommend that you have your kid to go check in and one parent go find a dolly or cart if possible. Try to make sure all of your items are in boxes, no loose stuff. The other thing is to shove everything into the room as fast as possible and then go have a parent move the car while the student starts unpacking. As for getting stuff, I made sure to have all of my stuff beforehand. This is probably the best option. You may have to haul a bunch of stuff but you know you will have it. I know there is a WalMart nearby but I’m sure it gets swamped. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Grcxx3- Not that I am aware of. </p>
<p>Best advice is to avoid the big stores near State College during move-in. If you need something I would locate a store further away from state college and do your shopping there. Also, the bookstore is a madhouse that first weekend. To avoid that headache get the books shipped to you or if you can, stop by to pick them up earlier.</p>
<p>Also, there are cheaper places to get your books than the local bookstores.</p>
<p>Correct, I always try to look on Amazon first before I buy at the book store. I have saved 100s of $ this way. Just grab the book list off of Elion and search for the title on google. Looks like this semester the bookstore started putting ISBN numbers on their site so it makes it easier to search for them now online. </p>
<p>Sometimes you can’t avoid buying books at the PSU bookstore (custom PSU books, course packets). Those can be expensive so I try to buy them used if they have no relevance to my major/career. I’ll buy stuff new if I plan on keeping it/using it someday.</p>
<p>I don’t think you’ll need a door stop. The doors stay open automatically if pushed all the way in (at least that was the case for the Pollock dorms this summer). I’d recommend a fan because there’s no air conditioning and maybe a comfy desk chair (the school’s chairs are wooden). Some other things you may want are bed risers and a small mirror.</p>
<p>S was in West.</p>
<p>Keep these great tips coming.</p>