<p>What kinds of things do I need to be thinking about bringing for school? For those of you already in school, do you pack clothing by season? Do you bring your things by quarter? </p>
<p>There can't be much storage in a dorm room. What do you do with your extra stuff?</p>
<p>Is there space in the rooms to have crates or plastic drawers to put things in - like in a closet or under the bed? </p>
<p>I'm thinking ahead and realizing I really don't know what to pack (coming from out of state).</p>
<p>What about theft? Is it wise to have a locked box of some kind? Someone suggested getting a footlocker with a strong padlock so that if I go away on weekends and I can lock up my laptop, camera, whatever. Is that a good idea? Is there room for something like that?</p>
<p>Any suggestions and insights based on experience would be helpful.</p>
<p>How much stuff you bring should take what room you are in into account. Allison rooms are huge, but rooms in the mid-quads are very small. If you have a single, you have more space for yourself, but the room is still smaller than a double. Also, talk to your roommate (I don't think you have one yet) and figure out who is bringing what.
In terms of clothes, think about when you're parents are coming to visit again. If they are coming for Parents Weekend in mid-October, then pack extremely lightly for move-in day and then they can bring any more stuff than you need. Bring 1 or 2 hoodies/sweatshirts, but it doesn't get to be that cold until around November. If you're flying in, then you also may be limited by how much stuff you can fit in your suitcases...unless you ship stuff.
Also, if you get bedding @ Bed, Bath, & Beyond you can buy it in your hometown and pick it up in Willmette, which is a 10 minute drive from campus. It's a good system, even though BBB didn't have what I ordered when I tried to pick it up, but they gave me similar stuff at a reduced price.</p>
<p>I brought all my clothes at once, not by season. There is room in most rooms to have some kind of shelf unit to bring plastic drawers if you so desire, or you can put it in a long plastic container under your bed. I don't know what you mean by "extra stuff" though... having your parents bring stuff you forgot is a good call. As for security, that's a personal thing. If you just keep your door locked, that's enough security for me, but a laptop lock might be good as well (the kind you wrap around something and hook into your laptop). I don't think I've ever heard of a computer being stolen from a dorm room.</p>
<p>Rooms are carpeted so a rug is entirely unnecessary. There is no way you could fit a couch into a room while still having 2 beds, dressers, desks, and access to closets. Some people who live in larger rooms bring a futon. The futon is cool, but I'm not sure its necessary..and it takes up a lot of space.</p>
<p>1) Clothing: I brought all my clothing at once (except for my heavy duty winter coat) since I'm from the Midwest and know how crazy/bipolar the weather can be. I was dying for my winter jacket before Thanksgiving break, so I'd bring that up too just in case. Also, I'm a girl with A LOT of clothes living in one of the smaller rooms on campus and everything fit fine. Hold off on buying closet/drawer organizers and baskets, stuff like that, until you get here because you won't have any idea what your closet space is like. If you have a lot of shoes I'd suggest getting a hanging shoe bag, just clear up floor space.</p>
<p>2) Storage: I know some dorms have trunk rooms, but mine didn't and I just had to either flatten all my cardboard boxes and put them under my bed or put my suitcases/trunks in the cabinet storage we had. I drove down so my parents took some empty boxes/stuff back. I bought a couple underbed storage boxes to keep stuff in. You technically can't loft beds, but I know people who do--you just need to take it down between breaks when CAs check your room. I'd suggest getting a lot of those heavy duty 3m removable wall hooks--hang coats, hats, bags, even hairdryers. I also put folders on my walls to put in schoolwork/paper and clear up desk space. Depending on the size of your room you might have room for crates. Also, if you keep your beds bunk you'll have much more room. I know people who have done this and got a futon/loveseat type thing or just set up a beer pong table, haha.</p>
<p>3) Theft: Stuff goes get stolen. The biggest reason is that people keep their door unlocked when they run out for a bit or while they're asleep, and sometimes laptops/video games/etc get stolen. Just keep your door locked--even when you're showering and especially when you're sleeping. Definitely get a laptop lock to secure your laptop to your desk. My roommate has a safe for her really nice jewelry and just keeps it under her bed. I mean, if people really wanted something, they'd just take the safe and worry about opening it later, but if you have lots of valuable stuff it's probably a good security precaution. If you bring a bike, a heavy duty lock is a must.</p>
<p>Yeah, I was wondering if I keep the beds bunked then I should have enough room to fit a couch in. Mine is 6 ft long and I'm planning to live somewhere in north campus (like elder or bobb).</p>
<p>Trying to formulate logistics. OS-plan to buy linens/bedding at Bed Bath & Beyond. I was thinking we would buy clothes in Chicago-as they may be more appropiate for the weather than what we have in California. We do have outlets for Northface-so-should we buy winter coat here? What about boots for snow/ice?When do the students find out what dorm they are assigned? Do we wait till freshman orientation, and then go shopping? Any and all suggestions welcome!</p>
<p>I would've died this winter without my Northface. If you can shop around for a heavy jacket before coming, it couldn't hurt.</p>
<p>I have a couch in my room this year without bunking the beds, but I do have the second-biggest male double in Willard, so... yeah. Freshman can't count on a room like that, but it's definitely possible to fit one. If you bunk the beds, a normal room in Willard can easily fit a couch.</p>