<p>My daughter will be a freshman next year. I'm thinking about all of the things we need to buy this summer for the dorm. I don't know what dorm she will be in (and I know what you bring varies with the particular dorm/roommate situation).</p>
<p>The school will provide a list of things to bring/not to bring. But I was wondering if parents of current Muhlenberg students could say what worked/didn't work for them. A current Muhlenberg student told us that her parents bought all sorts of dorm gadgets/storage that she has never ended up using.</p>
<p>Also with regards to decorating...many schools have strict rules about decorating your dorm. Like no nails in the walls, no hanging tapestries or curtains, no glue/stickers on the walls, certain light fixtures are banned, etc. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I am going to be starting my freshman year at Muhlenberg this fall. I know someone who currently resides in Walz, and he was nice enough to show me his dorm on accepted students day. In addition to seeing his dorm, I saw 3 of his friend’s dorms and from what I saw, the school really lets you have a lot of freedom designing your dorm. You can position the beds however you want and choose how high they are. You can also decide where you want your desk in relation to your bed and closet. A few rooms also had a mini-fridge and a TV. I saw a lot of different types of posters up on the wall ranging from a girl in a bikini to a rock band. </p>
<p>I would also like to ask if anyone has any ideas on items you would recommend one to bring.</p>
<p>I think it really depends on the kid. I bought some of the things that were on a CC thread at the time, like a small tool kit, and dustbuster. I don’t think either one ever got any use. I know the students can borrow a vacuum when they need to use one.</p>
<p>They don’t allow nails in the walls, but you can use those removable wall stickers. The school has someone on campus selling rugs the first weekend, but they are kind of ordinary looking. What we did move in weekend, was make ourselves scarce but useful. We stayed away, but made some runs to Walmart and back to Bed Bath and Beyond for whatever was lacking after my D and roommate were moved in. (We found a minfridge on sale at Walmart for around $50.) Then we came and said goodbye and left. We live far away though, and knew if D needed something big it would be hard for her to get it using the campus shuttle (which does take the students shopping that first weekend.)</p>
<p>There is a local Bed Bath and Beyond, and you can go to the one near your home, and register the items you want, and they will be waiting at the store near Muhlenberg. BRING YOUR COUPONS- THEY NEVER EXPIRE! (I even bought some on ebay!)</p>
<p>If you will be in a dorm that does not have a/c, bring a fan or two!!</p>
<p>Hi. Parent of a Muhlenberg son just finishing freshman year. I remember the apprehension trying to figure out all the dorm room stuff. 
Muhlenberg dorm beds use twin x-long sheets; memory-foam mattress topper was helpful; little combo tv/dvr, with cheap/small stand and coax cable for hookup (even the most dilligent student might like to unwind with a sitcom at the end of the day. Trexler Library lends movies…); lightweight towels (dry much faster after shower… no moldy smell); press-on wall hooks for hanging towels, etc; if dorm does not have a/c, you can get permission from Building Services (with Dr’s note, seasonal allergies…, lol) to have a small window a/c installed – you supply, they install… else GOOD floor fan. Surge protector/extension cords. We got a letter banning Medusa Lamp type light fixtures with plastic shades. No nails in walls. At least one alarm clock (the one we got son did not work!). Popcorn, 100 calorie snack packs… Plastic dresser w/drawers was helpful. (About $20). Son had me send him a dustbuster. Anything your daughter needs/forgets, you can send via Walmart.com Overstock.com, etc… and its there in a couple of days. Good, safe mail room). There is a campus shuttle service (“Shuttle Steve” – I think it costs $90 for the year) that the kids use. There is a very good Target about 5 miles away, and a good regional mall, most of the big boxes (Walmart, Best Buy, Bed, Bath, Beyond…) are just a few miles away. My son uses the laundry service, but if not, don’t forget detergent, laundry bag (I think they can use a swipe card to pay for laundry machines). Most of all, don’t worry… it will be fine!</p>
<p>Laundry service? How does that work?</p>
<p>D just completed her first year. She used her Flex acct to do laundry. You can swipe the machines with your ID. They are also coin operated. The acct can also be used in the bookstore or to buy food. It is separate from the meal plan. Go to cashiers office in basement of Haas to set up the acct.</p>
<p>mrsveebee - you will get a flyer in one of the many mailings that will come your way this summer. Laundry service is something you sign up for separately and there’s an additional fee for it. For that fee, your student gets a certain number of loads of laundry done each week by a laundry service. They wash, dry, fold, etc. </p>
<p>Funny story, my daughter just finished her junior year, but is not home yet. Tonight, I was doing some online banking and noticed her checking account was rather low, so I clicked on the link for details and saw she had a debit charge for $143.25 from a place yesterday coded as American DrycleaPA on the bank website. I immediately texted her and asked her what this expenditure was for and this was her response: ‘all my dry clean only clothes since january’</p>
<p>AHHHHHHHH!</p>
<p>Hi. Re laundry service - if student signs up, there is a set time/place to drop off service provided laundry bag each week (a truck stops by to pickup outdside dorm) and set day/time for pickup a couple of days later. Its about 5:00 pm – doesn’t interfere with class schedules… The service is run by former students I believe. They are very accommodating – if you miss a drop off, can make other arrangements, etc… No problems or complaints (other than a bleach stain, lol, for which service gave son a very generous credit).</p>
<p>Make sure she brings rain boots.</p>