<p>my roommate and i are trying to come up with a list of things we need to bring to use together.</p>
<p>So far we came up with</p>
<p>TV
Gaming system
Mini-fridge</p>
<p>are there more things to add? are coffee makers and hot pots allowed?</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>would air purifier from sharper image going too overboard...?</p>
<p>Some people have air purifiers in their rooms. If you find that you need it, bring it. Coffee makers and hot pots were technically not allowed in my dorm, but my RA told us that as long as we made sure to use them away from the smoke detector, we could use them. (The smoke detectors are sensitive and also detect steam). </p>
<p>I would recommend that once you have a list of items, that you buy them individually so that at the end of the year, you dont need to decide who gets what.</p>
<p>Don't forget the printer.</p>
<p>my cousin said her bike was EXTREMELY helpful and, in her mind, necessary...</p>
<p>There is no way I am going to be able to bring my bike up from Texas, and I am going to be way to poor to buy one up there. The campus is beautiful, I'll walk.</p>
<p>yea... i'm not gonna haul a minifridge or tv all the way from VA... </p>
<p>is there a walmart or something near campus?</p>
<p>so tv, fridge are the only things my roommate and I need to discuss?</p>
<p>You should be able to find everything you need at Meijers on Grape Road. It's a huge WalMart/Target kind of place. They set up specially for the student crowd. (You can get your ND logo-ed gear for a fraction of bookstore prices.) One year when we went over to buy stuff Ty Willingham was there at a table signing autographs (which made us wonder who was coaching the team while he was there!) I don't think you'll find Charlie doing that!</p>
<p>Bike isn't at all necessary, only if you sleep through your alarm clock maybe.</p>
<p>Or if you live in Carroll.</p>
<p>That Meijers store in unbelievable. I also found that you can order almost anything at WalMart online, have it shipped to the South Bend store for free and pick it up when you get there. The info is on the WalMart site-search "Site to Store" on their web page.</p>
<p>I'm not a huge fan of Walmart...but this could save a ton of time for those of us who are flying in.</p>
<p>wal mart has this great program called site2store where you can order and pay online but have the items shipped to your store of choice for free.</p>
<p>Would everything be sold out on the move-in day at local superstores and should I order using this site2store thing or just walk in and buy stuff?</p>
<p>I'm sure you could do a massive shop in the day or two you will have beforehand and get everything, but you are bound to be rushed. I think it would be good to do a little of both. Preorder basic things that you are not packing and know you'll need (towels, plastic storage containers, hangers, sheets, comforter, mini fridge...) then shop in person for the things you may want to look over (rug, TV(?), shelving). That way you can have the easy stuff done early. </p>
<p>I hate to shop so whatever is easiest, works for me. I'd rather shop from home (and it's free shipping so who cares) than stand in Wal-Mart. Also, if you read the info on the site, you can return anything right when you go to pick it up. You've got nothing to lose!</p>
<p>I would say that the TV and fridge are both nice to have (though you could get by without the fridge, to be honest. It's still convenient). One thing I found to be very helpful is a towel/coat hanger with a few hooks that is mounted on top of my door. I'll also second the convenience of a printer, since my computer didn't want to associate with the dorm printer for some reason.</p>
<p>Here is a plug for Bed, Bath and Beyond- college dorm program, not sure what the official name is, but it worked so well for us.</p>
<p>Go to local bed, bath and beyond, and be sure to use all those 20% coupons they mail to everyone- you can use up to 5 on one order- even if expired.</p>
<p>Ok. then while in South Bend, down off of Grape Street- you will find B,BandB, and they have your order ready to pick up, already in cart! </p>
<p>It saved so much time, and worked so well, I sent emails to B,B, B corporation to gush.</p>
<p>Also, we ended up paying less due to sales tax difference- although, we didn't know that before hand. </p>
<p>Meijer's is the place we bought son's bike- which he didn't think he needed, either, but so many students recommended them, and he claims it was a great thing to have. We don't have Meijer's chain in NJ, what a Mega store!</p>
<p>We are trying to decide whether to buy a printer for my daughter? I assume it is really convenient to have one in the room. Should it be color? I was also thinking it might be good to coordinate with the room mate. What do you think?</p>
<p>I never had a printer the two years I’ve been at ND. I’ve also never used up my entire print quota (you get $100 for the school year - it’s $0.10/page black and white and $0.75/page color). Supposedly, they will be installing a printer in every dorm for this school year. I’ve never needed to print anything in color, unless it was for a large project for which it was more economical to have Kinkos print it anyway.</p>
<p>If you do decide to get a printer, you may want to coordinate with the roommate as, so long as there is an agreement on how to share ink/paper costs, there is no reason to have two printers in a room.</p>
<p>i got one for free when i bought my computer, so i am just bringing one. it is very convenient for late night homework assignments that you don’t feel like going far to print (i saw this when i slept over a night)</p>
<p>Here’s the skinny from a dude who’s done it. I had a printer for 2 years. Freshman year, I lugged it out, bought paper and ink, and used it all the time. Sophomore year, I lugged it out, spent more money on paper and ink, fully realized that almost every academic building and dorm have a printer, that I had already paid $100 for my print quota, and used that without a single problem, ever. </p>
<p>Basically, what it boils down to - if you have one, bring it, sure. If not, I would recommend against it. You will save money in the long run. If you are concerned about not having enough print quota, I can assure you most people have no problem getting by with $100 - that’s 1,000 pages BW. Also, on the less official end, anyone you know at OIT can get you free print quota under the table, or if you ask a professor, they can submit a request for more print quota for you. A printer is a big, bulky, needy contraption that is not necessary.</p>
<p>A futon is nice if your room has the space. ND students are really social and if you have a futon and a TV/DVD movie night can be at your place. </p>
<p>Mini-fridge is a necessary item. You will need lots of hangers. Make a Target run when you get there and stock up on things like laundry detergent, dryer sheets, toiletries, razors, a few basic cleaning supplies (I bought D. a can of those clean wipes and a box of swiffer dusters). There are stores around but the campus is quite isolated–it is a couple of miles to the nearest big box store and as a freshman you can’t have a car. She also appreciated a large box of energy bars and some other snacks that had a long shelf life–again, it’s a trek to a store, and the meal hours don’t always line up with your schedule.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t know how to put this delicately and it is not the kind of thing you go in on as a group, but if your views on sexual activity do not line up with the Catholic church you are On Your Own contraception-wise, so if you plan on ignoring the rules be sure you line up your protection early and off campus and always have your own supplies on hand. It’s not like there will be a basket of condoms in the bathrooms there.</p>