<p>What's something you needed for your dorm room that you didn't realize you needed until you got there?</p>
<p>Our daughter has had three move-in days now. One to go! My wife and I pondered your question and both came up with the same answer: curtains. Last year we were in our hotel room making curtains on move-in day. The problem is you don’t know what size until you get into the room. They were simple to make though. Her first year her roommate had curtains. Second year they had blinds and didn’t care about curtains. This year she needed curtains.</p>
<p>Most UR dorm rooms have blinds I think? Actually I have yet to see a freshman room without blinds.</p>
<p>I think you’re right Blue. We’re going to move her out this Saturday so I will try to take notice. She is in North Court this year (and next). I don’t remember now if we were making curtains because she wanted them or because she needed them.</p>
<p>@bluelove I know you’re a scholar too. Can you explain the extra benefits scholar’s get that you didn’t realize you were going to get? And was there anything you needed that you didn’t realize? I’m coming from really far away so everything will have to be bought on sight.</p>
<p>@cassie Yup. Great questions! I am international so I bought stuff when I came here :P</p>
<p>Scholars advantages: Academic Advisor advantages (I think this is Oldham-only but I am not sure). You probably already know priority registration-I CANNOT stress how important this is, I have had three happy registrations-I can’t say the same for my non-scholar friends since class size is really small. Priority housing-doesn’t matter freshman year but makes a world of difference in the years to come since Richmond housing is lottery based and you get a really good number. Also when you apply for things/programs/funding/jobs etc, Scholars do seem to stand out (I don’t know if that is because they are Scholars, or they are Scholars so they are above average anyway though). And finally, networking-you get to know other Scholars well and the upperclassman Scholars too, and they are great mentors and friends.
Things I needed that didn’t realize: nothing. I packed well, and whatever I needed was easily accessible to buy at Target through the school shuttle so it was never a big issue.</p>
<p>Edit: List of things I found life-changing to have bought (a personal account): Bathrobe instead of towel, snack bin to keep all the small snacks they keep handing out, small bottles of hand sanitizer to keep everywhere, a filter water pitcher (there is a water and ice machine in the basement but I am lazy), non flip flop room slippers, a packet of travel sized things (you will probably do some travels here even during the first semester) with a carry-on sized suitcase/luggage… As you can see, pretty trivial stuff.</p>