<p>With move-in day in 4 weeks I thought it might be helpful to start a thread for students/family members to ask any questions they might have about starting at UD and also to provide a forum for current/past student/parents to provide any suggestions they might have for new students/parents.</p>
<p>I can start it off with a suggestion. Now that everyone has their course schedule with specific course sections it is time to start to think about purchasing books. Books are becoming increasingly expensive and a number of options are available (buying the books, renting the books, getting e-books, etc.). I would recommend that consideration should be given to purchasing these books on-line thru a number of on-line companies (i.e. Amazon is one example but there are a number of others-shop around). Many of these sites provide free shipping for college students and often you can get the books delivered in 2 days. You can even have them shipped to UD if you would like (UD will send you an email and tell you where to go to pick them up-but I would do this close to move-in day). Over 4 years I believe I saved hundreds, if not several thousand dollars, by purchasing books this way. Every little bit helps with the high cost of college these days. Just make sure you use the specific ISBN number for the book. You can find the books for your specific courses by going to UD's Bookstore site and clicking on the textbook icon. </p>
<p>Anybody else have Suggestions or Questions. We are all part of the UD family now, so lets help one another.</p>
<p>Speaking of saving money…I was just reading through all the links we received in the welcome email from residence life. Under the move in guide link, there is a section for. IT, computer, TV etc. as I was clicking around. I came across a IT services for new students and found this:</p>
<p>Microsoft Office
While you are a UD student, you will be able to download and use Microsoft Office at no charge. (This software will become available on or about July 21, 2014.)</p>
<p>Wished I had known this before I purchased office for D new laptop! Hopefully this will help someone else avoid my costly mistake.</p>
<p>@mwallenmd thanks for the book buying advise. I was doing some browsing on amazon the other day and certainly seems cheaper option than the “official” book store exist.</p>
<p>UD’s software catalog is not great. Especially when it comes to the technical and math software. There are some software packages that should be licensed for the entire university (like most schools do), but are only installed in a single lab, and are heavily used for student projects. So you end up having to buy it yourself so the kid can get a project done… But good to see office is on the list.</p>
<p>Newark is not a mecca of shopping. Food yes, but otherwise not really. You will not find a Container Store. The main campus bookstore has some dorm organizing stuff, but not a great selection. So you are looking at Target or Walmart (neither are very close to campus ). So any of the specialty things that will make the closet or under the bed space work better, bring them and don’t expect to find much around campus. </p>
<p>Also while in Newark, or you can do this by fax… But the one of the main off-campus bookstores is Lieberman’s… You can setup pre-authorization to charge mom and dad’s credit card for books. They usually have a better selection of used and lower prices. </p>
<p>Amazon though is usually the best place. But I will warn you, there are some textbooks that are UofD specific, and you have to get them locally. </p>
<p>My daughter bought most of her books from Amazon and had great success finding deals on used books in like-new condition.</p>
<p>While paying her tuition, I added some credit to her Flex Fund to cover laundry. Also, I went on-line to the local mass transit site and got her a bus pass with enough credit to get to the mall a few times. It came in handy this summer when she had a local internship and didn’t have a car.</p>
<p>Finally, a couple of fun activities she found last year were the rock climbing wall in the Little Bob and broom hockey at the ice arena.</p>
<p>Question about used books, both buying and renting. Do they come with access codes if buying/renting from bn or Liebmans? I noticed on amazon it says no guarantee access codes are included with used items. My fear now is purchasing/renting used and then finding out she needs an access code and does not have one. How much are access codes needed? Do professors generally utilize online material? Tried calling bn to ask but “no one was available to answer my call” </p>
<p>You can find “like new” on Amazon books with the code. Usually if you look in the used the sellers will list if they have the code, otherwise assume the code is not included. Though you can buy the online access. Some publishers punish you on price if you don’t have the access code with the book. My D’s courses did not have any online access courses. </p>
<p>For some of the textbooks the most economical method was to buy on amazon and then do the trade-in on amazon. cheaper than renting. But that only works on textbooks widely used across schools. My D’s major consisted of alot of course where the textbooks were only found locally. Some were special printings for UofD and that specific course. But that was really at the higher level courses. </p>
<p>Liebmans was usually cheaper, but also quicker. Some of her courses the edition of the textbook changed and it was up to the day before the first class and the book was still on back order on campus. Though on-campus had better customer service. </p>
<p>I just remembered two things that were helpful on move in day. Bring a rubber mallet and/or some tools in case the dorm bed is not placed on that higher setting. Luckily freshman year we arrived and D’s bed was set properly but sophomore year it was not. Having those tools really helped move the job along. </p>
<p>A cheap easy way to transport your clothing is in laundry bags. They sell them at the dollar stores often. We’ve all seen them but probably never noticed. They are a plastic bag, usually plaid and have handles and a zipper, they carry A LOT of stuff in them. I bought 3 of them my D’s freshman year and then just shoved them behind her bins and then she had them at school when she wanted to pack up some stuff to bring home after fall semester. Here is a link to what they look like… (link not good for purchasing but you will know what to look for) </p>
<p>In Central Jersey I got them at a local dollar store… (not a dollar tree but more a mom and pop dollar store and I think I paid $2 for the biggest size) great money saver, easy to carry and more flexible to pack in the car than plastic bins. </p>
<p>I guess I should change my name to UDMom2018 instead of hopeful since my son will be attending…anyway my question is it is better to rent or to buy books? And if buy, new or used. I knew books were expensive, but I didn’t expect them to be a high as they are. </p>
<p>My opinion (FWIW) is to buy any books directly or closely related to your major and rent the rest.</p>
<p>That calc book doesn’t do much good after the class is over. I personally have a box or two of my old textbooks in a storage room that haven’t been touched for over 25 years. Renting wasn’t an option back then and I couldn’t bear the thought of selling them back for pennies on the dollar.</p>
<p>Our D rented most of her textbooks used on line except for a very few she intended to keep for future reference (she was a nursing major). You can rent on-line for a specific period of time (i.e. 1,2,3 months). When the book(s) arrive keep the box. A few weeks prior to the end of your rental period you will get an email from the company with an address label with postage included. Just put the book(s) back in the box and attached the label with the postage and mail it. Very easy to do. This is probably the cheapest way to do things. You could buy books (new or used) and hope to be able to sell them back, but if the edition changes they usually won’t buy it back (so there is a little risk here). Just make sure if there is a CD identified with the book it is included with a used book. </p>
<p>Our D did not initially get all the books listed (even those identified as required) for every course. She tried to ID what she felt would be the primary book for the course and after she started class she would find out if all the books were actually needed (often they were not all needed). She then ordered the books on line that she had to have and was usually able to get them in a few days mailed to her at UD. You can save some money by finding out if all the books are really needed before you buy them. I really would not buy any books for a course listed as just “recommended” until after starting the course. There may be a very few books that you can only get at the UD bookstore but our D only found this to be true with one course. Good luck</p>
<p>you can rent at the Barnes and Noble on campus. That is an easy option. Maybe a few dollars more than online, but you don’t have to ship return…</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. Good information. I can’t believe move in day is in 3 weeks. Exciting times for my son but I’m getting a bit emotional just thinking about it. Hopefully I can keep it together. But I know I won’t be the only Mom to cry when leaving. </p>
<p>I still remember having to physically steer my wife out of my daughter’s room in Russell two years ago. It’s tough for sure, but the kids want to start checking out their fellow dorm mates and facilities.</p>
<p>Here’s another suggestion - get there early on move-in day. We arrived at 07:30 and unloaded the contents of the car onto a concrete area adjacent to the dorm. Moved the car, waited until 08:00 to get the keys, and the Arrival Survival helpers started carrying stuff up to her room. By the time we were done, the area outside of Russell was a zoo.</p>
<p>Mom & daughter wiped everything down (don’t forget that container of Clorox Wipes!) while son & I walked up to Panera and brought back breakfast. Walgreen’s or the National 5 & Dime are good places to pick up any forgotten essentials like light bulbs and I believe that my daughter had a coupon for some free swag from the 5 & Dime that I was able to pick up at the same time.</p>
<p>It’s a stressful day for everyone. Plan on total chaos and the minor inconveniences or delays won’t seem so bad.</p>
<p>Another suggestion for new students. You can go to the website Ratemyprofessors.com and get input from UD students regarding their impressions of most all the professors at UD. While the input is of course subjective our D found the info to be pretty reliable for most professors. Don’t panic if the ratings are bad, just be prepared. Comments are also frequently made regarding tips to do well in the class. Good luck.</p>
<p>Found out a bit of info today for any of those staying in the Rodney mini rooms. There are 4 per floor with the dimensions of 8’ x 8’7". The diagram of the room is not accurate. The diagram shows the dresser next to the lofted bed. The smallest loft is 82" and the desk is 30" (yes 112" total) the wall however is only 96". I called today to inquire about this and was told the diagram was wrong. They actually have the desk under the loft and the dresser where they show the desk on the opposite wall. We now have even less space than we saw in pic! I was told no compensation would be made for those select few in Rodney mini rooms because we are not paying for the room but rather all freshmen pay for “the experience”. This experience consists of RAs, programming, and professional staff members who oversee the buildings. Really?? Sorry, but not sure how the experience is the same for kids living in a space the size of a jail cell, or kids squished 3 to a room as it is for those who have normal size accommodations. I know the forced triples will get something back although trivial but at least it is something. I am sure D will be fine in the end and probably end up maybe even liking it, but I just can not justify paying the same amount especially since single room was not her choice. They even tried to say they are giving us the loft which we would normally have to rent. They are “giving” to us because in order to fit all required furniture in the room they have to!
Sorry for the vent!</p>
<p>I know you won’t believe it but in past years (not recently) they use to charge more for the single room than a double because it was a “single” room (many, if not most universities, charge more for a single room). At least they did away with this (I know, small consolation). I sure your D will do fine once she adjusts. </p>
<p>The diagrams of the Rodney “extended housing” dorms are not accurate either. They show a bed going across a 7’9" room (so 93") with a desk at the foot of the bed. The mattresses - not including the frames - are 80" long. The desk is 24" deep. So they are portraying 104" of furniture in a 93" space. One of the housing people took pictures of the room for me and the bed starts at one wall and ends a couple inches before the other wall. There’s also a doorway between the rooms (space consists of two tiny rooms). With the furniture arranged the way the diagram shows, it sticks out into the doorway from both rooms. Thank goodness my daughter is very petite! </p>
<p>@Jberav my son is in the similar size room at Rodney, (the middle single) will the dresser fit next to the desk across from the bed? We are headed down to campus on Monday to deliver some of my D’s stuff to her townhouse… I was hoping to sneak a peek at my son’s room to get a better idea. </p>
<p>@lefty1 I’m not sure what the dimensions of your son’s room are…my daughter is in a double (aka forced triple). I can tell you that the dressers are 30" wide and the desks are 42" wide. </p>