<p>You should definitely have room for your bed/bookshelf/wardrobe (all provided by the university) + a fridge. Also you can get risers for your bed, which would lift it high enough for most mini-fridges to fit underneath.</p>
<p>It’s really hard to predict how much space you’ll have…some freshman rooms are huge, some are tiny.</p>
<p>@ypcccu: Fridges are allowed, but microwaves aren’t. The only way to have a microwave is to rent a “microfridge” (fridge with a microwave on top) from the school for $300/year. In a quad, where the cost is split four ways, it’s really a no-brainer. But in smaller rooms, a small fridge and no microwave should be fine. The water fountains in the dorms are equipped with “insta-hot,” which releases near-boiling water for late-night hot chocolate, ramen, oatmeal, tea, etc.</p>
<p>@ypcccu: Yes, my son also got his net id! and you are absolutely right about sons becoming adult and our dual feeling! But finally we have to let them go and enjoy their adulthood and make their own decisions!</p>
<p>Received order form from PSA regarding dorm furnishings including linens and things. It states that over 70% of students purchase through PSA. Is this the best way to purchase Princeton dorm furnishing stuff? Should we order these now or wait until we actually get there first? (BTW, it says regular bed sheets don’t fit dorm beds.)</p>
<p>The PSA sheets are OK but the towels are pretty low quality. If you go this route it’s a good idea to order ahead and pick them up at move-in.</p>
<p>They’re right about the sheets. You’ll need extra long twin bed sheets (nice for those 6’ or taller). These aren’t difficult to find online; just be aware that you’ll need the extra long type.</p>
<p>ok bumping up this old thread again.Son got Rockefeller-Holder-quad.Is thrilled with this as he wanted a quad.So essentially the rooms come with a bunk bed and study table-am I right?. Any suggestions from experienced parents.Also please tell us what you thought was never used by your kids-especially parent’s of boys.Do you think A Bicycle is a good idea or should we put it on hold for now-Rockefeller to The Eng Quad
is a long way-right.Please share your experience here to guide us new parents.Thanks.</p>
<p>A bike is a really good idea. Lots of kids have them. They are good especially for kids who have to get to the engineering section of campus.</p>
<p>My D had a quad in Mathey (which is very similar to Rocky). There were two desks, two chairs, two dressers, two closets, and a bunk bed in both rooms. The common room has a bookshelf for each kid and can usually also fit a futon, rug, bean bags, a couple of micro fridges… It can be pretty roomy sometimes if they’re lucky. Have you checked the square footage of the room online? You can get floor plans online at:</p>
<p>[Princeton</a> University Facilities - Floor Plans](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/facilities/housing/undergraduate_info/floor_plans/]Princeton”>http://www.princeton.edu/facilities/housing/undergraduate_info/floor_plans/)</p>
<p>A lot of kids take their desks out of their rooms and put them in their common room if they have the room.</p>
<p>Stuff kids don’t need: a TV (they all use their laptops now), a printer (although many still have them, my D does), a vacuum (add all cleaning supplies to this list…they NEEDED it but rarely used any of them).</p>
<p>Stuff we didn’t think about bringing that your kid might want: a fan, a better desk chair (the chair that’s provided is pretty standard, hard wood, rocker…weird), Starbucks gift cards (there’s a Starbucks near campus where lots of kids go to study).</p>
<p>Yes, lots of kids have bikes. If you don’t want to bring one right away you can rent from U-Bikes:
[U-Bikes</a> (Coming this Fall!)](<a href=“http://www.studentagencies.net/SearchResults.asp?Cat=154]U-Bikes”>http://www.studentagencies.net/SearchResults.asp?Cat=154)</p>
<p>My son is a TV guy, so he brought a 19" with him. We also got him the full cable package, I think it runs about $250 for the year. He doesn’t like to have to wait to watch some shows on his laptop. He also brought a printer with him. He uses the university printers most of the time, but he said it’s nice to have one in his room for when it’s late at night and he doesn’t feel like leaving the room. He knows plenty of kids that just use the university ones. </p>
<p>Agree with Mrs. College, Bring a fan!!! The desk chair is also a good idea. I still don’t get the rocker thing. Son also uses two pop up hampers, one for the wet towels and work out clothes and the other for regular laundry. Son got away with just a dustbuster for quick clean ups of the floor. Small toolkit, duct tape, flashlight and umbrella are also some things that I tell everyone to bring.
Giftcards for Starbucks and WaWa.<br>
My son did find that he didn’t need the extra set of sheets. He washes and puts the same set back on.</p>
<p>Thanks a ton mrscollege and ProudNJMom-Appreciate your helpful inputs.
Yes I think we can wait for the bike though it’s a good idea but son says he would like to decide after spending some time at P.
Ok we’ll buy the table fan and 2 hampers is a good idea and right now even I will not buy the extra sheets-we can buy them later on.Starbucks & WaWa gift cards a great idea.
Also do you guys think one micro fridge is good enough between 4 boys.Also did your kids decide between their roommates as to what who should bring.I suggested to my son to discuss with the other three. 2 are from far far away and 2 are from NJ.so I told him that the 2 from NJ could bring the bigger stuff like futon etc.
mrscollege I will check out the floor plan for his room.That will give a better idea.
About the fan-did you buy the small table fan or the standing fan which rotates.
Thanks once again.</p>
<p>My daughter and her roommates had two microfridges between the four of them last year, and yes, they all coordinated beforehand. If you order the microfridge before 8/15, you get a discount. </p>
<p>But when she was a freshman and she didn’t know anyone yet, it was a lot tougher to plan ahead. We went ahead and got the fridge, which she ended up sharing with everyone. Another girl ended up getting one too. On move-in day, we decided who should get what. </p>
<p>As for fans, a tall standing rotating one would be nice. I think we’ll get our D one this year. Right now, she only has a little one she clips on her bed and it’s really not enough. Especially for me when I’m helping her move-in and out ;).</p>
<p>Oh, and a soap box/case is essential. They sell shower caddies everywhere, but most don’t include a box to store your bar of soap and I could never find one at the U Store (this was two years ago), so I ended up getting one online. </p>
<p>Also, a lot of kids have Keurigs and hot water makers in their rooms. Not sure what’s university approved (they are very strict about electric appliances), so check first.</p>
<p>Thanks Mrscollege.That was some sound advice.Today I went to BB&B and saw lots of fans for dorms.I will buy the standing one which spins.Also will order the Microfridge combo because they will use it.You parents make things so much easier for us new parents especially for parents such as me who has given birth to a kid who likes to leave everything
till the last minute because of paucity of time-stupid kid.Anyways each kid to his own. Thanks!!.</p>
<p>I echo the comments of the other parents. I would also add – in most cases – less is more. I was surprised at how relatively small the rooms were and the limited closet space etc — your kids will accumulate lots of “free” t-shirts and sweatshirts etc — so when in doubt, don’t pack/bring. I will also echo one set of sheets is plenty and cleaning supplies rarely used. I’m about to shop with my second son ('16) and we will be doing a much pared down shopping compared to my first time with '13.</p>