<p>Great help guys. </p>
<p>I did the BBB scan and ship for the big stuff (bedding, pillows, etc). I may want to do some more. We are flying into O'Hare and then driving to Sheraville(sp?) to stay with family for a a day and buy things in that area. We are hoping to avoid the college rush by going into a town 77miles off campus.</p>
<p>^^
We were shopping during freshman move-in and I didn't notice any rush at the big name stores on Grape Rd. Nor did they appear to be sold out of anything we wanted. Maybe because freshman move in earlier than upperclassmen. </p>
<p>Not being contrary--just saying I don't think anyone needs to worry about a major rush on the stores. There's WalMart, Target, BBB, Meijer, Kohl's, the mall, Menard's, Lowe's, Home Depot etc. all within a very small area. If one of them doesn't have something, somewhere else probably will.</p>
<p>My S is from CA and experienced his first winter in South Bend last year. My advice is when you return to ND after the first break (late October), bring with you:</p>
<p>an excellent warm (maybe Northface) jacket
the best, most comfortable decent looking warm boots you can find
fleece vest and jacket and long underwear (for layering)
many beenies, gloves and a scarf (or neck warmer)</p>
<p>Do not skimp on quality. Buy good, well known brands.<br>
Have this stuff before it gets cold, and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>Move in day question-
What is the best time to actually get to ND on move in day for freshman? Is it crazy at 9:00? Would it be better around 11:00? If we do not get there until after lunch would that be ok?</p>
<p>Sue</p>
<p>As I recall, when we moved in son-we arrived at 9:00. Yes, it is hectic, but there are plenty of people helping to direct traffic and assist with parking. I found it to be quite organized. And, of course, the help from upperclassmen is fabulous! They are quite welcoming and extremely helpful. Of course, if you wait until later, it may not seem as hectic, as well. Some of the immediate rush may have dissapated-which might help as well. Hope your move-in is as pleasant and smooth as I remember when we moved our freshman in two years ago.</p>
<p>Thanks!
We are trying to figure out if we should leave on thursday and stay overnight at a hotel just so we can be there bright and early. If that is not necessary we would rather just leave home bright and early on friday move in day, we have a 6 hour drive, and get there around noonish. </p>
<p>Would there be any problem with getting there later on in the morning, or early afternoon. I do not want to miss anything! </p>
<p>Sue</p>
<p>I can't think of anything that you might miss--I have forgooten the freshman schedule. I assume that on move-in day there are no other events planned? In other words, the first day is just moving in with no other orientation events. The only thing I can think is will you be tired from the drive? Also, if it is your intent to stay overnight in South Bend, I assume that you have made the necessary hotel reservations as freshmen move-in/orientation hotel rooms are hard to come by.</p>
<p>I would recommend getting there the night before and staying in a hotel. Move-in day is exhausting - there is a LOT of work to be done. Don't worry about the hotel, roughly 100,000 people come into ND on football weekends, you can find someplace to stay, even if it's 20 minutes away in Elkhart (which is what my family did when I moved in). </p>
<p>There is really no "good" time to move in, it's busy all day, from 8:30 am until 8:30 pm - I should know, I staffed frosh-o and it was my job to help kids move in, and, as a bigger guy, I was the one who was stuck lifting the beds 7 feet in the air for the modular furniture lofts for 12 hours in the 95 degree heat as the parents stood by asking me really complicated questions and complained about things I could do absolutely nothing about. Not that I'm bitter or anything. </p>
<p>Frosh-o guys in general are very helpful, but, like I said, it's a LOT of work, regardless, do the whole "let's just drive there that day and then pop our stuff in" approach is not recommended. Not to mention the unwritten rule that states if you're there before your roommate, you get to pick which side of the room you want.</p>
<p>As I stated in my college visit report Move- In day at ND is so well organized it is like a home football game, (or like a military operation). You will see.</p>
<p>These are small numbers to deal with compared to those football games.
It is EXTREMELY well organized, with people giving directions every 100 ft or so. </p>
<p>Do NOT worry about rushes in stores- we didn't encounter any lines at all, which was very surprising. </p>
<p>I have very fond memories of that weekend. Enjoy it ,and be ready to plug in those fans right away.</p>
<p>Just got my freshman information packet from Morrissey. It answered a lot of my questions. I finally feel like it's all starting to come together and my transition is going to be as smooth as it can be. I just measured out my current room (roughly 13x13 not measuring the attached bathroom and closet). Morrissey rooms are about 12 x 9. So not a huge change, but for two people room will be tight. </p>
<p>I can't wait. (No sarcasm)</p>
<p>Haha, you don't think it's a huge change, but it is. That's a 61 square foot. And then, divide that in two - 54 square feet per person. And you'll be itching for every square inch you can get out of that room. </p>
<p>I know this makes me seem like a pretty big downer, but my room was 9 X 14 and I didn't think it possible to live comfortably, until I planned it out really, really well. That was basically the only way to make it livable.</p>
<p>Keep an eye out for move-in information this year if you are living in West Quad, especially the freshmen. There is construction on west quad and there will be specific move-in times and procedures for everyone.</p>
<p>Just an question. I read that all dorms in Knott are large enough to fit a futon or chair etc. If the Freshman cannot loft, and the furniture is not modular (which I also read)...is there really room for a futon??
Thanks....</p>
<p>Yes, if you bunk your beds.</p>
<p>Someone explain what the difference is between lofting and bunking beds? I'm gonna be in O'neill (which has modular furniture). I assume lofting is prohibited therefore. Would it be wise to bunk beds? And how difficult is bunking beds in the dorms? </p>
<p>Also, what is everyone wearing for freshman orientation? Is it good to dress nicely, or will shirt and jeans suffice?</p>
<p>Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>Lofting a bed would be to raise the bed in such a way that you could put your desk, dresser, etc. underneath whereas bunking beds would be to place one bed on top of the other. It would be wise if you like the extra space and it is not difficult. Shirt and jeans will suffice unless you are otherwise advised.</p>
<p>In more common parlance, lofting usually refers to the process of building your own freestanding structure to elevate your beds. Modular furniture provides a built-in system of lofting, with your desk and wardrobe acting as the supports. O'Neill has modular furniture, and you loft that. Bunking refers specifically to putting one bed on top of each other, meaning that one bed is ground level. Either way, with modular furniture, it just takes a little elbow grease. They're designed to fit together easily.</p>
<p>It'll be hot. Wear shorts.</p>
<p>Thanks for the translation and elaboration. Studying for the LSAT has completely destroyed any ability I had before to speak in common parlance. :/</p>
<p>A t-shirt and jeans is definitely sufficient for Frosh-O, unless your dorm has something planned, in which case they'll let you know. You'll most likely get some sort of dorm Frosh-O t-shirt you'll be expected to wear some of the time too. There are very few occasions that require one to dress up at ND... Many people start off wearing jeans and then transition into wearing PJs/sweatpants to class.</p>
<p>so bunking beds = more room space? do a lot of people do this? when i visited, i stayed in alumni and it was TINY, and the lofts seemed kinda annoying to be always overhead when you're doing work at your computer or getting things out of your wardrobe. i'm thinking i should just bunk the beds, since my dorm has modular furniture.</p>