<p>Hey sweetdreams..thanks for the insight..I found it very helpful as well. </p>
<p>Also, I have a question myself..should I bring my car to Berkeley? Or is it more of a hassle than it's worth?</p>
<p>no use 4 car</p>
<p>Car -- maybe your 2nd year, definitely NOT your first.</p>
<p>I wouldn't say that there's no use for it; it can come in handy quite a lot for things like Costco trips, lugging cases of water bottles around, going to SF late at night (not that you can't w/o a car, a car just makes it easier)...</p>
<p>oh ****</p>
<p>the water bottle thing makes sense</p>
<p>****,</p>
<p>Did you bring your car? The thing is..I'm concerned if I bring my car, I'm going to be the "go to" girl when my roomies want to go to the grocery store..the mall..etc. Other than that..I really want to bring it because I couldn't imagine not having it..but you say I shouldn't bring it my first year? </p>
<p>Also..would you say frequent trips to SF are pretty normal for Cal students? And how is the BART system? Thanks for filling me in..I haven't been to SF in a super long time..basically too young to remember.</p>
<p>Errr, well, no, I don't have a car. But a few of my older friends did, and I did use it once in awhile. It just makes things more convenient; it's true that you will be the go to girl, but your roomies should be considerate and shouldn't make you go out of your way (like, if you're going to the grocery, they will tag along, but you shouldn't need to drive to the mall just so they can go shop). Still, people who have their cars always say that they love having it with them...it's one of those things where I think you adjust to the situation. If you don't have a car, it's really fine; if you do, you won't remember how you used to manage w/o a car. </p>
<p>I went to SF a LOT; at one point in second semester I was averaging every two weeks for various reasons. BART's pretty easy and it's probably not that much longer than car (with traffic). The red line of BART is annoying though b/c it ends earlier and then you have to transfer to get from the city to berkeley...annoying...</p>
<p>Don't bring you car first year b/c you'll have nowhere to park it, and your first year you would probably need it less than any other year. Life is pretty localized when you are living in the dorms. Besides, it's fun walking around and getting lost and having 10 blisters your first week.</p>
<p>I found a list in the SF Chronicle today about "dorm room essentials" so I thought I'd type it up and add some comments in parantheses (I'm very bored at work)</p>
<p>alarm clock
gummy tack fo rhanging up posters/pictures
hangers lots of them (VERY TRUE!)
computer
under the bed storage boxes
white board and pens (I don't know about other dorms, but Unit 2 rooms came with one next to each door)
mini vacuum (ehhh, not really necessary)
small toolkit (ditto above)
calendar/pda/day planner (calendar; but you'll get a planner in the dorms)
large trash bags (or you can just save grocery bags for your trash can)
duct tape (eh. but at least some tape)
power strip and extension cord (definitely. the power outlets are in weird places)
lamp (desk)
telephone (eh)</p>
<p>BEDDING
Mattress pad/foam (maybe; dorm room mattresses are a little sketch)
Extra long twin sheets
pillows/pillowcases
blanket/comforter (yeah I brought a fleece blanket and it was great b/c I could take it with me to the lounge when it was cold etc.)</p>
<p>BATH&SHOWER
Shower caddy (YES; we all kept our things in shower lockers inside the bathroom and a caddy makes life a million times easier)
shower shoes/flip flops
two (at least) sets of towels
robe or cover up for trips to/from shower
body wash/shampoo/conditioner/etc
glasses/contacts cleaning supplies
small mirror
tissues
small iron
first-aid kid (headache/cold remedies, bandages, etc. but you can also get this stuff from your health worker; there's a health worker in each building. You'll still want some of your own of course)
Sewing Kit
Health Insurance card
blowdryer (not being able to go to bed because your hair is wet sucks, at least for a girl)</p>
<p>FOOD PREP & SNACKS (this will vary for each person)
hot water pot (for tea, instant noodles, cocoa, etc)
basic utensils
microwave/fridge (can rent from dorm for 120/year or semester, I don't remember)
paper goods
dish soap
easy to snore snacks, airtight containers
storage bags</p>
<p>LAUNDRY
clothes hamper/laundry bag
detergent
stain remover
quarters (or you can just put money onto your ID card and swipe)</p>
<p>FUN/COMFORT
Pictures
Posters
Favorite DVDS & music
Stuffed animal/momento
costume/fun accessories for dress up events (yeah you never know when you have to go to an 80s party or a Eurotrash party etc)
envelopes/note cards/stamps (at least the stamps)
favorite games, deck of cards
headphones and speakers (definitely definitely headphones; it's rude to blast your music when your roommate is sleeping or doesn't like having music when he/she is studying)
earplugs (eh. I didn't need them)</p>
<p>STORES: Target/Wal-Mart/Linens 'n Things/Bed Bath & Beyond/The Container Store/drug stores</p>
<p>If you're in the Bay Area, the Container Store will host College Night events for students and parents with a 20 percent discount on purchases. 6:30, July 23 (SF and Walnut Creek; 6:30 July 30, Corte Madera and San Jose) <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/collegenight%5B/url%5D">www.containerstore.com/collegenight</a> for more info</p>
<p>The dorms also have a group trip to bed bath & beyond during welcome week for things you forget or just realized you need. bbb provides snacks, prizes, coupon discounts, and a checklist of necessities.</p>
<p>I think that's too much stuff. I know plenty of people OOS that just pack one or two bags. </p>
<p>Mainly clothes, laptop, and various amenities. Just have a large harddrive and your entertainment needs will be met.</p>
<p>Some people go to college to have fun but if you want to make the most of it academically and socially, I think keeping all the really unnecessary things away helps a lot.</p>
<p>sweetdreams87, that was very helpful actually. :)</p>
<p>butttt, do we need an ironing board? would it be of any use actually hmm.</p>
<p>Ironing Board: Sooo not necessary. At least for me. I'm way too lazy for that.</p>
<p>Stuff I rec: A Laptop lock. Very very important for obvious reasons. I also really really strongly suggest getting a printer because if its 5 in the morning and you have a paper due at 8... well you know how that works out.</p>
<p>Other than that I think everything has been mentioned. I'm at summer session right now and I'm doing fine with about half the things on the lists.</p>
<p>Oh yes, I did have a laptop lock. And also, I agree w/ the printer thing, SO much more convenient than going down to the computing center. I got a samsung laser printer; when i needed color I'd use the computing center. </p>
<p>And no you don't really need an ironing board. On the very rare occasion you need to be 100% perfect, take your shirt or whatever to the dry cleaners.</p>
<p>do desktop computers get stolen? how about mouses, keyboards, speakers? if so, is there any good lock for these items?</p>
<p>Very rarely as far as I know. I am not sure about locks for those items.</p>
<p>I recommended purchasing a CrispAir Light bulb. I helps to get rid of cigarette smoke, odors and bacteria - its perfect for an enclosed room. You can buy it at Amazon.com.</p>
<p>I also recommend rolls of quarters for laundry. Light sleepers should take an eye mask and ear plugs - it helps if your roommate is staying up later than you. My roommate wasn't loud, but even if she stayed up typing and using her desk light it kept me awake. the eye mask and ear plugs allowed her to study and let me sleep. just make sure you can still hear your alarm!</p>
<p>what is a laptop lock? if you have your own room with a lock on the door, would you still recommend one?</p>
<p>A laptop lock is just a lock with a chain/cord thing that you can tie around a large or stationary object so that a person can't just come in and take away your laptop. </p>
<p>I had one my first year, though to be honest, I left my laptop unlocked most of the time. I don't know; I think it's safer to have one since laptops are stolen quite easily and it's always better to be safe than sorry</p>
<p>Thanks once again, sweetdreams. That was very helpful.</p>
<p>yes, thanks a bunch, sweetdreams</p>