<p>Can someone who has seen the dorms, has a s/d who is/was a Harvard student, or anyone with any sort of idea, help me out here?</p>
<p>I'm trying to figure out, how much of my stuff (read: shoes and clothes) I can take with me. This is an important question because I live in Europe so it's not just a matter of, "take your fall clothes, then at Christmas bring some more." Plus... I'm kind of way too attached to my shoes.
So, the questions are, in your experience:</p>
<p>-How much room is there in the closet?
-Do the closets have any built-in organization (ie shelves, drawers, more than one level of bars for hanging stuff)?
-Is there any room under the beds? Would it be possible/allowed to use those bed-prop things that raise your bed up a few inches (in order to add under-the-bed storage)
-Is there any room for a chest of drawers, or any additional storage units?</p>
<p>Also, I've seen a few sites that have pictures of freshman dorms, but not many. If anyone has photos to share or knows of a site that shows the dorms, please let me know!
Thanks.</p>
<p>I think it really depends on the dorm you're in. I get the impression that dorm rooms range from average size to HUGE. The best site for dorm pictures is here..</p>
<p>I am a Harvard parent so perhaps I can help you a little bit. Bed risers are a good idea so that you can store things under the bed. Do keep in mind, however, that many freshmen wind up in bunk beds. In fact, many upperclassmen do as well. Many students do bring extra plastic drawers (such as Sterilites) but often they are kept in the common room, depending on the size of the bedroom. Bedrooms range from tiny to large. My daughter had no closet in her bedroom freshman year. Remember that the dorms are very old! Sometimes the closets are only in the common room; it really varies. Some students need to keep their dressers/desks in the common room as well. I'd suggest waiting until you get your actual room assignment and then trying to contact the school (or inquiring on this board) to get a sense of how big your room actually is. Also, keep in mind that if you are in a suite with more than two people, no one may choose beds/rooms until everyone arrives. Best of luck!</p>
<p>My daughter had a closet that was 13" wide, with one shelf , which she had to share with a roommate! Her two large suitcases fit under the bed with no risers- that is where she kept off-season clothing and shoes, as well as flattened boxes for the spring move-out.</p>
<p>Each student is provided one chest of (6) drawers. Her room was extremely tiny, but across the hall, there was a suite with a large common room, so you really cannot plan until you see your own configuration. Once you see your room, run over to the Habitat for Humanity furniture sale, which is in front of the Science Center, near Annenburg Dining Hall, you can find chairs, tables, storage drawers etc., in various states of repair, to fill out your space. Or share a taxi to Target for some shopping. Another suggestion--buy a small fan from CVS drug store for some fresh air- fall can be hot and muggy, and the windows are small. </p>
<p>The key to an attractive room is BRING LESS, NOT MORE. You do not really need your large shoe collection. You may need: one pair black walking shoes, (& one brown walking shoes?), joggers, flipflops, one stylish sandal for class, one dressy heeled sandal for formals, one black pair of heels for winter formals, and rubber/snow boots. There is great shopping in Cambridge so you can shop there. </p>
<p>Pack one dressy knee-length dress for the freshman formal in December (dark color), with coordinating shoes, earrings/necklace, and you'll be all set. Fall is also the season for Final Club punch (recruit) events for sophomore boys. Another dress can be helpful if you might be invited to those date events.</p>
<p>prefrosh.net has photos of every freshman dorm. if you utilize under-bed storage and manage to get your own closet (read: not sharing a tiny closet in a canaday single) there's actually lots of room for shoes and clothes.</p>