<p>In terms of batteries, you can buy reusable ones. Cheaper in the long run, better for the environment, and less to store. You will have nospaceforstorage, so the less you bring, the better, really. One thing that doesn't get communicated enough is that dorms really are communal living. Whenever someone on my floor doesn't have something (scotch tape, scissors, printer, white dress shirt, shoes, soap, shampoo, food, blankets, stockings...ANYTHING), someone else has it and is more then willing to let you borrow it. So don't stress too much about bringing everything in the world. You're going by yourself, but you're not going to be alone. Floors bond so fast because they really have to. My whole hall looks out for one another, so no one's ever left in a lurch. It's a great system. So....don't worry too much. You will pack way too much freshman year. Each year after that, you get slightly better at packing up. </p>
<p>but number 1 and 2 one things to bring lots of that you can't share: socks and underwear. The more you have of these, the longer you can hold out on doing laundry. Like I'm going to do now.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, and thing I wish someone had told me about? Air freshners. Bring at least two. You never know what your dorm will smell like, especially once you start living there. My roommate and I had Halloween pumpkins. They rotted. The room has never really recovered.</p>
<p>If in a year I decide to attend a school on the east coast, would it just be more practical to buy most of those things when i get there? Or should I just stock up AMAP and fly the stuff over there?</p>
<p>I retract my previous statement. (as per cable organizer)</p>
<p>In trying to purchase some, I realized that if you want shopvac hose, you are going to pay a massive premium for anything with the name shopvac on it. Also, it is hard to find it in small sizes as most of what is offered is an "upgrade" and has a larger diameter.</p>
<p>The product you are looking for is "Sump Pump Hose" in something about 1.25 to 1.5" size. It is the exact same stuff exept it is ridiculously cheap. When I say cheap, I am talking 24' for under $10. Buy some for yourself and you will have plenty left to offer to other freshman (and those cute girls on your floor would just love a free cable organizer) during orientation.</p>
<p>Just slit it down the side with a utility knife and cut it to the lengths you need for your setup.</p>
<p>"Hey there sugar, looks like you've got those cables all in a tangle. How about a free cable organizer?"
<em>swoon</em> "Oh my, why thankyou! You're so sweet, and look at the way you roll those cables!"</p>
<p>jk I'm dating an audiophile, sound tech geek. I've come to appreciate the joys of neatly rolled cables.</p>
<p>hey...when someone has never hooked up their own computer before and is doing it on a fairly basic desk, odds are they will end up with a pretty messy arrangment. It's not going to win you anything, but its a nice gesture (and a great way to use up the extra).</p>
<p>It's better to wait until you get there to buy a lot of it. Once you know who your roomate is, you can split up the essentials. Also, many colleges won't let you have microwaves because of fire hazard (too much wattage on their older circuts) and refrigerators are not necessary at some schools because they have a rental plan. Wait and find out what your particular school needs will be before purchasing - although listmaking and planning are fun. :)</p>
<p>I hear most dorms have printers in the communal areas, which raises these questions:</p>
<p>Are these dorm printers well maintained?--What happens when they jam, or need paper or ink/toner?
Do students mostly use these or do they ever bring their own personal printer?</p>
<p>I am having a tough time deciding to bring a printer. If you have one, everyone will want to use it when they run out of ink and my school (UChicago) has a good communal printing system. I would have to go far to get it, but I would get sharp, clean laser prints. Sure they deduct some small amount from something(I think), but its actually cheaper than inkjet prints.</p>
<p>The only problems are that I like color. Its not really necessary for graphs but it can be nice when there are many lines and well, if you want to print a picture, you will need color. Also, if something doesnt look right at 2AM, its a long walk back to the computer to fix it and back to the printer again.</p>
<p>I'm probobly going to end up with a printer. Maybe a midrange epson for if I need color and then print papers and stuff on the communal paper (saves ink $$$ and laser prints just look so much better) or a small laser printer and just borrow someone else for color.</p>
<p>You've gotta have a printer in your room. People might bother you to use it, but think about how it's gonna feel when you need to do a last minute revision or you find a typo in your paper and you have to walk god-knows-where to do it. Also, is there a guarantee you'll be able to get to a computer at the communal place to do it if you're in a rush? Is it open 24/7? I dunno ... I suppose a lot of profs might let you just email your papers, but you can't depend on that. It's good to have it around for other things besides just academics, too; and, yeah ... the color thing ... Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>Its a large office style laser in each house with a computer next to it that the pending documents are sent to. When you get to the printer, you can see your document listed on the computer before you tell it to print. Its better than having to wander to a computer lab. I think you're right though, a printer is neccesary. I think I'll get a laser (the text is so much sharper and the postscript rendering is better...I've been using during my open period lately and it just doesnt compare to my inkjet or 13yr old laser) and share with my roommate so we dont both lose space.</p>
<p>hangers
shoe rack
iron and real ironing board - the small ones are cute, but tall ones fit in closets just as well and are far easier to use
nalgene<br>
hot pockets
clothes rack for laundry that can't go in the dryer
trash bags for medium wastebaskets
cleaning stuff (like fantastik or windex)
paper towels, tissues, napkins
can opener
tape recorder for lectures when you're sick or sleepy
headphones are key for remaining on good terms with roommates
speakers to play music from laptop/desktop
desk lamp so you can work w/o the big light on, lamps with clip bottoms are also great for use as a reading light when you're in bed
sleep mask
blank cd's
lots of printer paper and ink (i went through 2 reams this year)</p>
<p>If you are even thinking of lofting your bed or having it bunked, buy a Fun Noodle (the things that you play with in the pool) or some foam pipe insulation. Slit it down one side (similar to the cord organizer) and put it on the frame of the bed that is up high. It will save you many many many bruised foreheads.
On the issue of the water filter, Brita makes a Space Saver Model that had no problem fitting in my very tiny fridge. (It's just a more square model than the other kinds). I grew up with well water, and switching to city water was gross, so the filter helped a lot.</p>
<p>Would it make any sense to pack stuff in my backpacking/camping backpack? Would I ever have use for such a thing while at school (it would take less storage space than a suitcase but I use duffel bags so its a moot point)</p>
<p>I'm considering bringing my backpacking backpack, if you're flying you should remember that some airlines don't allow them even as checked luggagge so you might have to ship it. If you're close enough to go out and go hiking somewhere then it might be worth it. My school is about two hours from the mountains, so I'm thinking it might be a definate plus to have my pack with me.</p>