<p>Another word of advice that I wish I knew, before I came to Ithaca:
Don't sweat the school shopping too much especially if you live far away and are worrying about how to fit everything in the car. There is a Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Loews, and I'm sure other stores in Ithaca near Cornell.</p>
<p>You can do all your school shopping when you get there. Or order and have it sent to the dorm. Do school supply shopping in Ithaca, or your child can do it when you leave by taking the bus. </p>
<p>You really only need to bring clothes, and things you know you can't find in Ithaca, and if you are unsure ask one of us. </p>
<p>Know that Target we be really crowded the first few days because everyone will there, it's the closest store to the school. But they don't know about Wal-Mart and K-Mart, which are near Wegmans, past the Commons. But you know know because I'm telling you. So use this information.</p>
<p>Ithaca is not a ghost town, you will be able to find almost everything you need there. Even mini fridges and microwaves. :)</p>
<p>... four years ago when moving in s, we hit Target early and got lamp, fan and extension cords...went back later and the extension cord aisle was emptly!!! also out of fans and floor lamps...</p>
<p>this pre-shopping is this mom's way of coping with coming empty nest</p>
<p>If you have access to a car, another option is to shop in Cortland, about 20 minutes away. When I moved in, I went to the Wal-Mart there; there were no crowds at all and plenty of everything I needed.</p>
<p>I apologize Trackbabi - there are more stores now than even just four years ago and Target did not run out until late afternoon of move-in day for Freshman- </p>
<p>a question - are microwaves OK? they are so cheap now that a hotpot almost seems obsolete...which do you recommend for a girl who loves hot cocoa but pro isn't going to be 'cooking' meals in her room?</p>
<p>Use the common kitchen. If she's going to be "cooking" that rarely, there really is no need to buy a hotpot (which is probably not allowed in the dorms) or a microwave (which definitely isn't allowed and won't work).</p>
<p>Memphismom, I would definitely recommend an electric kettle, even though I lived in a townhouse and had a microwave, the electric kettle was my prized possession(actually it wasn't mine, but my roommate's). They heat up water a lot faster and better than a stove, and I always feel like there's too much radioactive energy getting into my water when I use a microwave(I'm a bit paranoid) so I liked using the kettle instead. They are a lot cheaper than microwaves and you can get them, starting at $10, from Target or Wal-Mart.</p>
<p>a Foreman grill would not be convenient and might not even work and defn not allowed in the room...you could probably use it in the community kitchen, though the kitchens dont really have outlets for you to plug in stuff :<</p>
<p>Cooking and Appliances
Kitchenettes are provided in each residence hall for cooking. Residents are expected to abide by the following rules regarding cooking:</p>
<pre><code>* Cooking is prohibited in hallways, bathrooms, and lounges.
* Student may not leave stovetop cooking unattended.
* Appliances with immersion coils, water heaters without thermostatic controls, and exposed coils (e.g. space heaters) are prohibited in the Residence Halls unless provided by Campus Life Facilities.
* Appliances with self-contained, thermostatically controlled heating elements with automatic shut off may be used in student rooms.
* Appliances with open heating elements may be used in kitchenettes only.
* Due to wattage requirements, microwave ovens other than those rented by Cornell's approved vendor (Microfridge) may not be used in student rooms.
* Due to wattage requirements, refrigerators must be those rented by the University vendor or another of the same wattage requirements.
* Use only electrical equipment identified with the Underwriter's Laboratories label.
</code></pre>
<p>it took a little looking but it looks like electric kettles with a auto-shut-off are ok ;)</p>
<p>To add to this - if you have a Bed, Bath and Beyond in your vicinity - you can select everything you need (like a bridal registry), and pick it up at the BB&B store in Ithaca. If you don't have it, you can order online and pick it up in Ithaca. You can return also, so if you find that it's not right for your room - no sweat!</p>
<p>Stand-alone microwaves are not allowed because they will blow your lights. Also, don't depend on doing any heavy duty shopping because after move in day everything will be gone for at least two weeks until the stores can restock (don't forget alot of grad students get there even before the freshman).</p>
<p>realizing everyone's social life is different. do you think it likely that a freshman female who won't be home until Thanksgiving would need a long formal dress first semester? A toga? any other themey outfits? Thanks!</p>
<p>hmmm. Is your daughter the sorority/party/socializing type? If she is there is a small chance she will need a dress but not really a formal one. Try one of those Homecoming-type dresses or maybe the long tunic dresses that are hot now. Actually with fashion these days a girl could get away being dressy with a simple dress, cool jewelry, and some heels.
But most of the sorority formals take place second semester anyway. BUt I do remember some other events first semester that were dressy-type but not so formal.
Also with formals, in general, I've noticed that it looks better, and in my opinion, more classy, to wear the shorter type dresses, something that doesn't look like she's going to prom, but like she is going to a cocktail party. That kind of style fits in with the new "grown" attitude that comes with the college scene.
But have her pack one or two dresses in case(and don't forget shoes!) you never know. And you could always ship something to her from home</p>
<p>Themed parties are all the rage first semester. Toga outfits are easy. There's the Blue Party, Red Party, White Party(you wear white), Green Party(?), Back to the Eighties, Halloween parties and many more. Remember the parties of your college days and Cornell has them. So yes your daughter will need some "themey outfits".</p>
<p>P.S. Remind your daughter to be safe and smart when she is out. Always travel in groups...where at least 2 people are sober...and the less she wears means the less she should drink and the more she should be aware. There are some crazy people in college.</p>