<p>I know this is pretty far in advance, but whatever.</p>
<li><p>Are there any things that we absolutely must bring? I wasn’t sure whether or not to get stuff like garbage cans, rugs, bed risers, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>Promise the gender neutral bathroom thing isn’t weird? I don’t know if I’m the only one scared of this. And it’s not even the showering part… I’m just very private about brushing my teeth.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>and with that, back to homework.</p>
<p>Alright, so the gender neutral bathroom thing. It's not awkward at all because people really respect it. There are some designated bathrooms for sexes in dorms such as Clark, but you decide what you use. Also, if anyone objects to gender neutral bathrooms, then there are gendered bathrooms in place. So it's not a problem at all. Plus, no one's awake when they're brushing their teeth.</p>
<p>As far as things you need, hmm. My coffee maker's helped a lot, as has my fridge. A bike is really really helpful on campus, as are plates spoons and stuff.
I kinda wish I hadn't forgotten my sled at home though, oh well!</p>
<p>The gender neutral bathroom thing - I swear it isn't weird.</p>
<p>However, if it really does make you uncomfortable, I recommend living in either Clark or especially Fauver. Clark has two bathrooms on each floor, right next to each other, so often they will have single-gender bathrooms on some floors. In Fauver, there is a single-stall bathroom on each floor in addition to gender-neutral bathrooms, so you wouldn't have to worry about brushing your teeth and/or pooping in front of anyone of any gender! :)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>garbage cans. bring a garbage can. the university used to provide them but stopped because kids would mainly use them to vomit in. also rugs are really nice, especially in winter, but by no means necessary. you probably won't need bed risers, the frames are pretty tall and adjustable. i'd recommend a coffeemaker/water boiler with auto shut-off and a microwave. i found that a fridge isn't absolutely necessary (i had one freshman year but we just put booze in it) but it can be helpful, i guess.</p></li>
<li><p>it was weird for the first two days or so, but you get used to it.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So I'm not worried about the gender-neutral bathrooms, but confused--being a swimmer, I have no problem changing in the middle of a crowded bathroom, etc., and I'd have no problem doing it around guys--do people still do that? (and what about the stereotype of guys being messier and grosser than girls?)</p>
<p>Why would you be changing in the bathroom??</p>
<p>And while guys can be gross, huge clumps of long hair left in the shower drain is a particular brand of nastiness more commonly found in women...</p>
<p>The bathrooms are cleaned by the custodial staff anyway so it's not like it's that big of a deal.</p>
<p>As an imcoming freshman, I will soon have to pick a dorm. Any advice would be greatly appreciated on the following topics: </p>
<ul>
<li>Freshman only vs. Mixed years </li>
<li>Single vs. Double </li>
<li>Any opinions about the freshman dorms (Fauver and Clark)</li>
</ul>
<p>matthewaengel
Im currently a freshman living in Clark.
For me, living in an all freshman dorm was a great experience. I knew that everyone around me was going through the same adjustment and acclimation period that I was, and that gave us something to bond over. Because we were all freshmen, the RAs went out of their way to instigate bonding activities. One floor went apple picking during orientation, and this weekend we are all playing laser tag. The freshman dorms are very well-situated placed. Clark is right next to the library, and right across the field from Usdan, which is convenient because freshmen have to eat a certain amount of meals in the dining hall. Also, Clark and Fauver have heat and air conditioning, which is excellent.
That said, I know a few people who lived in mixed dorms, and they also enjoyed their experiences. Some even said that they found it helpful to have people living with them who had, the year before, gone through what they were going through.
As for your decision between asking for a single or a double, you need to think about how outgoing you are naturally. For the first week or two of school, my roommate and I were basically glued at the hip. It was easier for me to go out and make new friends with my roommate at my side, doing the same. My roommate and I arent best friends anymore we have different groups of friends and dont hang out very much but we still get along fine. I have many friends who still hang out with their roommates all the time and are planning on rooming with them again. Unlike other schools, where roommate surveys are 15 pages long, Wesleyan obviously doesnt have very much of a system for matching people together, so in a way, its hit or miss. I can only speak from my experience, but I think its important for freshmen to have a roommate. I think that its part of the college experience.
Hope I helped.</p>
<p>Q from a Jr- The dorms are mixed gender, right? What about roommates?</p>
<p>All dorms are multi-gender. You can specifically request to be on an all-male or all-female hall, though, if you want (there is one of each). </p>
<p>If you end up in a double, your roommate will be the same biological sex as you unless you specifically request a gender-neutral assignment (in past years, this involved checking a box on the housing form and writing a paragraph about why you want gender-neutral housing, I don't know if they still make you do this).</p>
<p>Thats pretty cool :)</p>