<p>Robbed in dorms??? It could only be by other students and that would surprise me. You need keys and a pass card to get in the dorms. Agree with above post about 10 meal plan. Northeastern will provide additional social opportunities for the kids to expand their relationships beyond BOCO kids.</p>
<p>Two safety notes in response to the last 2 posters. First, police suggest that while talking on the phone while walking alone may give you a sense of security, it may also make you less aware of your surroundings (ditto listening to iPod), and thus more vulnerable to attack.</p>
<p>Also, it is not at all uncommon for someone to walk up right behind someone entering the dorm (or secured apt. building) and for the person with the key/passcard to allow them to enter, or for an intruder to catch the door in time to do so. Too many of our kids are too trusting, and though it seems wrong to pull the door shut behind you in someone else’s face, unless you recognize the person, that is the safest thing to do.</p>
<p>Also, there’s a cleaning service that comes into the building. The internal breakins could have been due to people they were associated with…</p>
<p>Skwidjymom: We didn’t get much info on the meal plans (or anything else) yet, but I called the school and they told me that students get a certain number of dining dollars that can be used at the BoCo cafe and local restaurants. Can you comment on this at all? From what you said, the kids also need to have available cash to buy food.</p>
<p>Plan to get there early on move-in day as it is a mad house. There is very limited parking in front of the dorms, and when my D moved in there was a police officer at the turn-in to the dorms who blocked entrance if there were already cars filling the curb. I let my daughter jump out and circled the block for at least 30-45 minutes before I could get in to park at the curb. We got there right at the designated move-in time and we were too late- should have gotten there much earlier. The earlier you are, the better selection of beds your student will have. That being said, I don’t think any of my D’s roommates had any huge issues with where they ended up in the room. Once you park, returning students will meet you with large rolling bins to load your stuff from the car into your room. I was extremely impressed with how helpful these kids were. The minute I parked a couple of able bodied young men met us and basically carried everything up to the 3rd floor for us. In my D’s room, the girls separated their beds into 4 singles. My D used risers and then put some shelving under her bed and stored her suitcases way back under it. There is not a lot of room for extra stuff. I don’t recommend a TV- my D took one and they never had tiime to watch it. I don’t think they used it at all. Also, since my D moved from across country, I went to thrift stores and bought 2 of the largest suitcases I could take on a plane. We filled both with her stuff and then each checked one, while I just took a small carry-on for myself. Once we unloaded, we dumped one of the suitcases at a local thrift store there. It was cheaper than shipping things. We bought pretty much everything else there- sheets, towels, etc.</p>
<p>Also my D did not like the food on the meal plan. We bought the smallest plan and she supplemented by walking to Whole Foods and using the fridge in the room. She also found she did not always have time to go to NE for dinner, especially when she was cast in a show. She had very little time between her last class and rehearsal. </p>
<p>Have fun everyone!</p>
<p>My D is a picky eater…she didn’t do a lot of the fast-food restaurants and used her dining dollars at the cafe. She’s an RA next year so she’ll be back on the meal plan, thank God. Kids do supplement with rudimentary microwaveable meals and protein bars.</p>
<p>Takeitallin gives good advice. On move-in day, Dad was lined up in front of the dorm with our D’s suitcases 90 minutes early to make sure she had first pick of the beds in her room, a quint. </p>
<p>Besides a TV, another large and unnecessary item for us was an electronic keyboard. They can’t play them in the dorms without headphones and it took up a lot of space so we took it back with us. One thing my kid had that none of her roomies did was a first-aid kit, and it came in handy. Also boxes of zip bags to keep snacks and food fresh and pest-free. </p>
<p>Check out Bed Bath & Beyond’s Pack and Ship deal…pick out everything you want and they’ll ship it to the BB&B closest to school. You pick it up and only pay for the items you have decided you want.</p>
<p>We are trying to decide whether to get a twin comforter for the XL bed or a full/queen. Any feedback on that? Also, how hot or cold are the dorm rooms? When we visited in February, the main building was extremely hot!</p>
<p>HOT during September and half of October. Definitely not a queen. Dorms are nice and warm during winter but not overly warm.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>At least 1 fan per room is a necessity!</p>
<p>If your kid’s bed is near a window, he/she will be cold! Get the twin XL…my D also used a light down comforter and a blanket, but she is a chilly kid. The seasons sneak up on you in Boston and it will turn cold quickly.</p>
<p>The dorms are kept pretty warm during the winter (I’m an mt 2012). That being said, there was rarely a time when I was completely uncomfortable in my room, unless it’s a warm spring (the rooms aren’t that well ventilated and no a/c). I purchased one of those all weather down comforters and had a blanket to use if I ever got too chilly. Of course, more often than not I was hot and using my fan to cool down when my room mates didn’t want the windows open. As long as your D has a fan and blanket options to keep them warm they should be fine!</p>
<p>Thanks to all for the advice!</p>
<p>humidifier necessary?</p>
<p>Not for summer. Maybe winter</p>
<p>My kid never needed one…some kids have those personal steamers.</p>
<p>I would actually highly suggest one. The dorms are extremely dusty and can get super dry especially during the winter when the heat it on high blast and you keep the windows open. A personal steamer isn’t a bad idea but you wont use it as much. Just make sure you get a humidifier that runs quietly and that your room mates are okay with. If you get a hot steam one it might be too warm in the winter but they tend to work better and dont need filters. The cool mist ones work well too but you have to change the filters on them- buttt they dont make the room more warm. </p>
<p>Also- because the new students come from so many different areas, people tend to get sick more often their first year and in the dorms. Like I said before the dorm buildings are extremely old and its just impossible to keep them clean free from dust all of the time. I was sick more than I have ever been my freshman year so always pump the vitamins! Also, when you’re sick a humidifier is a must! also good for the vocal chords :)</p>