<p>Quick question that pertains to moving in:
Orientation begins on the 2nd and classes start on the 7th. By looking at the schedule for orientation (for first years) it doesn't seem like we have a lot of time to unpack and move into our dorms - not to mention time to go shopping for dorm stuff. Are things really that hectic as they seem on paper? Or are things pretty easy going/play by ear? Were things pretty rushed before first day of classes - moving wise I mean?</p>
<p>For us, coming long distance, it was rushed. Three very full days, skipping lots of the "formal" orientation stuff. </p>
<p>If you're coming from closer in and come by car, presumably you don't have to buy nearly so much and it's a lot simpler.</p>
<p>While we're not Smith bound (Mount Holyoke), we are coming in from So Cal, and have decided that coming in 3 days early and shopping/getting a feel for the place, was the best bet for us. It's more expensive (hotel, etc.) but the frantic pace of getting in, and getting everything together in a shorter period of time just didn't sit well. </p>
<p>Next year, as a sophomore, the moving in period should be easier.</p>
<p>GCheng...it appears that the dates are correct, therefore not allowing much time to move in. Particularly if you do not live close to NoHo. TD said it best...may be wise to skip some of the orientation things and do the needed shopping around the area before moving in. Of course, some of the essentials go sight unseen, as you cannot see your dorm room until then.</p>
<p>Right, BJM. We got a look at the room in the House, even took some measurements, and tweaked our shopping list accordingly. </p>
<p>Only significant error, iirc, was that we got a "hang on the door" mirror and then later found that we'd overlooked the full length (albeit narrow) mirror on the inside of the closet door.</p>
<p>JaM, yeah we found the tradeoff worth it too. Even in three days, it felt a bit frantic, especially as there <em>were</em> a few official things that D needed/wanted to do.</p>
<p>Hint: if you think moving in is bad, if parents are involved with move out (we were first year, not second), beware the "I'm almost packed." "almost" meant walking into a room that resembled the field after the battle of Marengo and took several hours to finally get through the sort/pack/throwout/lug downstairs to the trunk room stage.</p>
<p>Actually, I thought it was not so bad. We live in the NW so we flew in and brought with us little besides clothes and her computer, and instruments. My D went to pre-orientation so we spent the day between pre-orientation and the start of orientation doing our big shopping. We did end up doing another store run the next day so I didn't get to much of the parents orientation events (but I am not big on welcoming events anyway so it wasn't a big deal.) I flew home that afternoon and my D bought other things she decided she needed on her own. My D went to some but not all of the orientation events. Remember, other than bedding, lamps and a fan you don't need that much stuff. Don't stress, the students can make it to the mall on their own, there are buses, van trips, and housemates with cars. It is a part of growing up for them to figure it out.
I have never helped with move out but my D is definately in the leave it till the last moment school. She discovered this summer that she forgot to bring home things she needed or wanted for the summer and her Junior year in Florence. They are packed in the storage at her house. Oh well.
Ellen</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the replies. Yes, I am coming from afar (Texas) - so I don't think I can bring much with me other than clothes, my computer, and a couple books. I'm not doing Pre-O so the "extra" time to move in is not available to me. My mother is planning to come with me my first year and help me move in. She's planning to leave in the afternoon on Sep 3. Do you think one day/night is enough time for us to do all the dorm shopping? Also, did most of you get your things from Boston or from....?</p>
<p>Moving out in May?? Not a chance! I have lived with the "almost ready" for 18 years. She's on her own after the move in!!! ;)</p>
<p>No...not Boston. Many stores in the immediate area for shopping. Don't worry about that.</p>
<p>gcheng: There's Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, JC Penney's, Sears, Best Buy, Office depot, and many (MANY!) more all within a 15 mile radius from Smith. Check out the Holyoke Mall (about 10 miles from Smith) - <a href="http://www.holyokemall.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.holyokemall.com</a>
and the Hampshire Mall (a bit smaller than Holyoke Mall) <a href="http://www.hampshiremall.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.hampshiremall.com</a> </p>
<p>Don't even think about driving the 90 miles (each way!) to Boston for dorm shopping.</p>
<p>so I don't think I can bring much with me other than clothes, my computer, and a couple books]]</p>
<p>You'll need a printer. Costco is a great place to purchase one b/c they’re cheaper and returnable for any reason, no matter how long you have owned it.
The ink carriages are much less expensive. too</p>
<p>And don't forget about your new roomie. There may be some items you may want to split with her.</p>
<p>Ellen, I'm a softie: while I realize that roommates, housemates, etc. have cars and that there is a good shuttle bus system, my own take was that I didn't want her to worry with any of the peripheral stuff so that she could stay focused on getting to know her housemates and classes from hour #1 instead of having an additional "to do" list.</p>
<p>JaM, we would not have been there for "move out" first year except that the orchestra was playing at Carnegie Hall and we were "in the area." Now that I'm awake, I recall that she wasn't moving back home but still had to pack up her room because she was moving to another House while on her summer research job...so she had to clean out her room just as if she were moving 3K miles back home.</p>
<p>The kid is lucky. She would have moved to D.C. solo except that we had a family reunion in North Carolina to go to right after her internship started and it didn't make sense not to take an extra suitcase of her stuff with us and to travel with her, especially as she had clearance from her internship to take three days off and go to the long-planned reunion with us.</p>
<p>But for Budapest, assuming that happens, she is on her own.</p>
<p>I flew in on my own, with nothing but my suitcases of clothes and my computer, and really, it was fine. Yes, it will be a bit hectic at first, but if you're doing pre-o they run a shuttle bus between Smith and the malls on the day in between pre-o and orientation. Also, during orientation you don't have to go to a lot of the planned activities, so you and your new friends can go shopping then without any problems. My pre-o buds and I skipped most of orientation and went on a crazy shopping spree at Target. Also, know that your dorms are a work in progress. Get the basics unpacked, clothes and such, go on a big shopping expedition one day for the stuff you need then, and then gather as you go. </p>
<p>I didn't get a printer or anything really until later in the semester, and even then I bought stuff cheap on the Daily Jolt off of other Smithies. TV for ten dollars, printer for 15, lamp for 5, you can get good stuff there that other smithies don't want. Don't freak out about getting your whole room put together right away perfectly. You'll work on it throughout the year.</p>
<p>I'm assuming Central Check In will be packed with the cars of students and parents, and I've heard parking in general is a nightmare. Where do you park - closest to your house to make unloading the car easier? Or near the ITT facilities where CCI is located? Does Smith have a system for unloading vehicles into the dorms or is a free for all?</p>
<p>It's basically a free for all. I would suggest having your folks (if you have folks there) drop you off at CCI and then them driving to your house and dropping off boxes. You can check in, one of them can park the car, and one of them can stay with your stuff and wait for you to walk over to your house. It's really not too bad for new students though, since it's just the new class and transfers at your CCI, rather than the entire school.</p>
<p>"It's basically a free for all. I would suggest having your folks (if you have folks there) drop you off at CCI and then them driving to your house and dropping off boxes. You can check in, one of them can park the car, and one of them can stay with your stuff and wait for you to walk over to your house. It's really not too bad for new students though, since it's just the new class and transfers at your CCI, rather than the entire school."</p>
<p>So if you're arriving by yourself it's best to nab a spot close to your house?</p>
<p>[So if you're arriving by yourself it's best to nab a spot close to your house?]</p>
<p>You wont be alone. :) There will be house leaders and numerous HONs (heads of new students) to help you unpack the car and carry everything to your room. </p>
<p>Youll be arriving before the majority of students, so finding parking shouldnt be too big of a problem.</p>
<p>SS, if I remember correctly, you're in Gillet. If you can't nab a place on the street in front, there is lots of parking behind the building, so you shouldn't have a problem at all.</p>
<p>I've already gotten pretty much all of my dorm stuff since I live only a couple of hours from Smith, so should I arrive later? I was planning on arriving September 2nd, unloading my stuff from the car and my parents taking off the same day, but do parents typically stay till longer?</p>