<p>Does anyone know if there is a 'list' of what kids should bring to school? also, how does it work on move in day, August 21? Everytime we go to UP we have to park near the Stadiums, how close do they let you park to move the kids stuff in? We do have hotel reservations for the night before and that night.</p>
<p>Here are some suggestions by current students:
PSU</a> Forums - The First Penn State Online Community Forum • View topic - What to bring?</p>
<p>As for the parking, you can park really close to the residence hall. I believe you can get as close as 10-20 feet from the residence hall to unload your stuff. You won't have to go all the way to the stadium.</p>
<p>thanks very much Killer. I did not know about that forum. good suggestions.</p>
<p>My sister will be a junior this year at main campus, and I am her little sister (future psu student 2009..hopefully!) so I'm pretty familiar with the whole process. Basically, move in day is little chaotic, but a good experience. You should expect quite a bit of traffic, so an earlier start might be the best way to go (there's probably no way of avoiding it though!). She actually stayed in West dorms, right by the IST building, because that's her major. We pulled in into the road beside the dorm (there will be students there giving out information), and you are permitted 15 minutes to park there and unload everything. I got the wonderful job of guarding the pile of stuff while my mom found a place to park, and my sister retrieved her keys. They have carts to roll in your items (we lost one of our bags, but the mentors eventually found it). This is pretty much the move-in-day process. It can be pretty eventful...</p>
<p>Items to Bring: My sister and mom went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to buy everything for her room...
-bed risers (i would def. get these!..u can store stuff under the bed easily)
-comforter (bed in a bag)
-matress pad
-plastic bins (store food, etc.)
-garbage can
-power-strip for computer (there is a certain process you go through in order to get the wireless internet...but I'm not familiar with it so that might be a question to ask unless you're computer savvy...I'm not)
-fan! (west dorms tend to be warm even in the winter..I'm not sure about the others...but it will be warm)</p>
<p>well, I can't think of anything else...hope i was able to help! Good Luck.!!</p>
<p>Corker, you pretty much summed it up. Good luck next year. A few additional items: hangers, a LONG ethernet cord (I don't think the dorms are actually wireless yet and the plug for your connection might be across the room from where your desk is --d's was), area rug (you might be able to get this after you get up there), girls only-- a caddy to take your stuff to the shower.<br>
I remember this being a very exhausting day. We got there around 9:30 AM and were busy unpacking and cleaning (the rooms appeared clean, but I figure you never know about germs). It was pretty hot in the room so that made it uncomfortable. D had to go over to the commons to get her internet set up (I think they changed this now and you can do it online before you go up there). They had students there to help you unload and I think they do a pretty good job managing the crowd for such a big school.<br>
We will be there again in August to drop our freshman son off.</p>
<p>Definitely bring a fan. Also, extra lighting (desk lamps) are something to be considered. These items can conceivably be picked up at BB&B or Walmart (there is a huge one just a few miles from campus) in State College if necessary, but the stores might end up being 'out of stock'.</p>
<p>Another thing to consider - one of those foam mattress toppers (have a waffle-y appearance) that go on top of the mattress and under a mattress pad. We bought one today because my S is going up to campus for summer session this Sunday (June 29th). He'll be in Ritner Hall. He might need it, depending on the state of the mattress). I'll let you know -</p>
<p>Does anyone know what that white towel looking thing that comes with the bed is for?</p>
<p>It's just a cheap mattress pad to keep mattress clean.Just make your bed over it. Might consider a mattress cover.</p>
<p>We moved my S into one of the Pollock halls on Saturday. The mattresses are in good condition, but we did use a waffley foam mattress topper and our own fitted mattress pad on top of that - all on top of the little mattress pad thing they provide.</p>
<p>does anyone know if you can bring your own mattress because i for one do not want to sleep on some nasty old mattress even with a foam pad underneath</p>
<p>There is a WalMart nearby on West Atherton. When we moved in our D we went there to pick up a few extras. It is crazy busy there but they have pretty much everything you need or anything you may forget :-)</p>
<p>
[quote]
does anyone know if you can bring your own mattress because i for one do not want to sleep on some nasty old mattress even with a foam pad underneath
[/quote]
Yes. You can definitely bring your own. You can also request the housing people to take the old mattress that they give you away, and they will put it back at the end of the semester for you.</p>
<p>There is also a second Walmart on Rte 26, which might be a little less busy. BB&B is close to that store, also Sam's. There is a Target not too far from the N Atherton Walmart.</p>
<p>Last year they had a list of things to bring - I'm pretty sure it was posted on eLiving. You'll definitely need an ethernet cord if you want to use the internet in your dorm! & you can park in the lot next to your dorm. Move in day is hectic but exciting - you don't really do anything other than lug in all your stuff and arrange your room. I suggest keeping your door open so neighbors will stop by and introduce themselves :)</p>
<p>Be prepared to walk (and carry stuff) from quite a distance if necessary. We moved our S in two weeks ago, and were not allowed anywhere near the dorm because there was such congestion/craziness in that area. The parking staff made us park in an area about 6 or 7 blocks from the dorm. Finally we just scouted out our own spot near the dorm and snuck past the parking staff.</p>
<p>Moving day for fall session last year was actually an OK experience. My D lived in East Halls first semester, and we got there early (9:00 a.m.) and were directed to park right next to the entrance of her dorm on the grass. We were already instructed to unload everything from the car first--we dumped it all on the sidewalk outside the dorm and one of us (me) guarded it while D, hubby and a student volunteer wheeled it all up the elevator using carts supplied by the University. That whole process took about an hour. I suggest getting there as early as possible, to get the best parking spot for unloading and because the carts seem to be few and far between.</p>
<p>After unloading, I was instructed to move the van to the East parking deck....parking spaces in the parking decks on weekends are generally free (except for football weekends) so take advantage of this if you can. Having the van parked out of the hot sun on an August day and easily accessible was a lifesaver.</p>
<p>Then the fun part started. D's roomie was already there, and with six people trying to unpack two girls and all of their mountains of stuff took several hours. The long Ethernet cable is a must; one desk was easily within reach of a regular 9 foot cable but the other desk required the longer, 25 footer...between the two of them, we had one of each so it worked out well. Just remember you have to register your computer with Student Computing, a process that can be done before you arrive, but it was also not a big deal that hubby got it that and everything else that the computer required that day. </p>
<p>Also a couple of suggestions for girls; you will never have enough places to plug in your electric appliances and gadgets. Make sure you bring at least 2 power strips. A couple of extension cords wouldn't be a bad idea either. A window fan is a must; no air conditioning and those dorms get beastly hot in late August/early September (the fan can be brought home on Parent's weekend--D didn't need hers at all in the Spring). Also, leave the winter clothes at home if your parents can bring them up on Parents Weekend or mail them up to you later in the semester. Send the summer clothes home when you no longer need them, too. You can bring them back after Spring Break. Not having extra clothes laying around taking up space is a GOOD thing. Those dorm rooms are very tiny; especially some of the ones in East Halls that basically have no dresser drawers. If you have a lot of them, and I know most girls do, there is simply not enough space for your clothes.</p>
<p>While not required, I'd also suggest that your child's printer include a fax/scanner. We bought a low end printer that included the fax/scanner and I can't tell you how many times that D and her friends needed to use those capabilities; not only to scan and fax but also to make a simple photocopy. D appreciated the fact she didn't have to leave the dorm to make a copy.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any more questions.</p>
<p>these suggestions are great. Thank you. I believe he will be in East Halls. We are staying at a hotel in town the night before, what time should we get to the dorm? 8am?</p>
<p>8:00 might be a bit early, but I'll bet there will be security there to allow you to park. I'm not sure your student will be able to pick up his/her key that early from the commons, though.</p>
<p>will he receive the times in the mail when he get his dorm assignment?</p>