What to Bring to College

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
1

<p>This is early yet, but since it was requested in another thread here, I wanted to leave this for reference to those of you who wish to start thinking and planning. Remember this list is way, way comprehensive. No need to get everything it lists. Just a reminder for you to work off of.</p>

<p>"Mystakin, Don't be sorry you asked for this. It is a link from our very own CC College Life forum. It was started by a CC parent and as you know some of these parents are very, very comprehensive and detailed-oriented. My suggestion: glance through for what applies to you. You do not have to bring everything, especially if you are coming from a distance.</p>

<p>Remember for those of you in the USA, you can shop at a local Bed Bath and Beyond and have that branch ship your items to the NYU BBB branch to be picked up. </p>

<p>International students can just wait for Welcome Week in August to shop at BBB near NYU (NYU traditionally provided shuttle service there for new students.)."</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html?highlight=buy+college%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html?highlight=buy+college&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

2

<p>Sorry, I wanted to add info I left on the other thread:</p>

<p>"One more thing, try to watch out for either 10-20% off your ENTIRE ORDER from BBB if you can.</p>

<p>They will give you some kind of discount for signing up on their email list for the first time."</p>

3

<p>All right, the A to Z list I provided was rather long and many things were non-essential unless they appealed to you personally. I want to focus on the essentials that you should consider for NYU dorm set-up based on my own experience with sonny’s move.</p>

<p>This applies to Founders, but probably is generalizable since all dorm rooms seem to have the same layout and provisions.</p>

<p>In each room (I will use the example I know of 2 double rooms with a shared bath for 4 people), you will find the following:</p>

<p>1) 2 twin beds with extra long mattresses (this dictates the need for extra-long twin bedsheets) - </p>

<p>Bring or buy XL twin sheets, pillow cases, warm comforter for winter and lighter blanket for warmer weather. (I definitely am against buying from the company that NYU has agreed to permit sending order forms to students and parents for buying comforter/ bedsheet/ towel sets. Inferior quality. You can do better at BBB or Macy’s, even Bloomingdale sales.)</p>

<p>Get bed extenders if you want to raise the height of the bed to utilize space under the bed for storage (can wait until you get to NYU for this.)</p>

<p>2) 2 desks, 2 dressers, 2 wastebaskets are provided, as well as 2 desk lamps in each double room -</p>

<p>Bring computer/ laptop, cable for wired internet access (though word is NYU may have moved to wireless internet by the time you all move in Fall 2011, check on this). </p>

<p>You can buy at NYU bookstore or order textbooks for delivery to dorms, as well as school supplies in NYC. Use a service like Cheap Textbooks & Used Textbooks to save $ if you know what books you need ahead of time or if you can wait until the first week of classes to order your books online. </p>

<p>Bring or buy a TV to put on top of desk or dresser (nothing too big in size because you will not have very big table surface). Cable service provided by NYU. Game systems if that is a past-time for you. Buy or bring some group board games (can get in NYC and split cost with friends, roommates>)</p>

<p>3) Closet - buy big plastic storage unit (from Target for $5-10 to hold misc items in closet), hangers, closet divider (if you want and if that will maximize space), iron, ironing fabric (in place of ironing board).</p>

<p>3) Bathroom has a plain shower curtain provided -</p>

<p>Buy a wastebasket (only one for 4 people, decide who gets it or split the cost), buy or bring bath towel sets and a shower caddy to hold your bath supplies; get a small bath mat for use by shower or tub. Buy shampoo, soap, deodorant, self-care products (these can be purchased in NYC).</p>

<p>Get a medicine chest with cough, cold medicine, sudafed, bandaids, tylenol, motrin or other anti-pain/ fever medicine, clippers, etc.</p>

<p>4) IMPORTANT PURCHASE OR RENTAL: </p>

<p>Get both a dorm size fridge and a microwave (if have a roommate, have one buy microwave, the other the fridge or split the bill).
NYU will provide info on these rentals. Some find it around the same price or just a little more to buy their own fridge and microwave oven (which they can keep after the year is up).<br>
Buy or bring microwaveable dinner plates, bowls, smaller dessert plates, and mugs.
Get 2-4 sets of silverware (knives, forks, and spoons). Buy bounty towels.</p>

<p>5) Posters and other personal decorative items (nothing too huge) that you may want in your new room. Maybe a nice rug to personalize and make the room more cozy. Shop around NYC or catalogues once you get to NYC. </p>

<p>6) NYU does not allow you to bring in furniture; also no curtains (at least in Founders; they provide blinds which are not very good at light blocking).</p>

<p>7) Bring or buy 4 season clothing, slippers, snow boots, warm coat, thermal and regular underwear, as well as lighter summer, spring and autumn wear, swimsuit, etc. Layers work well.
I like SAHALIE: Comfortable, Casual, Clothing, Outerwear and Gear for Women and Men with an Adventurous Spirit and Love of the Outdoors! for their clothing and boots. They also frequently have discounts and markdowns on high quality clothing, coats and boots. Just make sure you have the right sizes and they will deliver right to your dorm. They also carry thermal underwear of different thickness for males and females. </p>

<p>OK, these are the essential things I can think of right now. </p>

<p>I will follow up if I have forgotten something.</p>

4

<p>My apologies for the wrong #s above after #3. I had to add in the closet area (after all have to consider all the space in that room). #4 should be Bathroom, and each item thereafter should be changed to one higher number.</p>

<p>Also, I welcome others who know about the dorms to add to or give feedback on my summary list of items to buy/ bring for the dorm room at NYU.</p>

5

<p>Oops, I just caught myself. In post #3, I meant that you can sometimes find very good prices on high quality coats, boots, and clothing at “Sierra Trading Post.”</p>

6

<p>One thing for those coming from the Sunbelt to NYC - my D had never owned an umbrella, raincoat or rainboots…all came in very handy on the East Coast. Of course you can purchase those things once you get to the city, but they are definitely on the must-have list.</p>

7

<p>You’re just so helpful, evolving! :slight_smile: Too helpful, I must say… what’s the catch? :P</p>

<p>All I brought with me were 3 suitcases full of clothes and my essentials (laptop, Nook, etc.) I purchased everything else here and had my toughest furniture assembled today! Yay! $305 but well worth it.</p>

8

<p>Haha, Vihzel,</p>

<p>I have a confession. I do have an ulterior motive in posting my “helpful” posts. Want to guess what that might be? Getting any ideas yet?</p>

<p>As to the way you moved, that is excellent. Why hassle with items via long distance, the airport, extra fees, etc. to move into NYC? Also, you can determine what you really need when you get here. It is not like NYC is in the boondocks. You can get anything you want here in NYC. And you can shop around for best prices. Plus there is the internet! Though some people want to plan ahead or shop with their folks, so having the BBB option is great.</p>

<p>Well, back to my ulterior motive!!! I actually think as a society we Americans are too individualistic and we lack community. This has been a complaint of NYU students. I think we can choose to build community wherever we are. It serves my purpose to give to others through these means. I know that the whole college application and admission process is nerve wracking and can be uncharted territory, especially for those without parents or “mentors” “savvy” enough to guide them along the way.</p>

<p>Also, it is so gratifying to problem solve issues with students like yourself who work very hard to get a little closer to realizing some very worthwhile dreams as contributing members of society. Now, that sounds mushy, but it is the truth. :slight_smile: I do get good feelings when I know people have more info at their fingertips to make major and “minor” decisions. </p>

<p>By the way, congrats on assembling your furniture today! Wow, what an achievement. I am so uncoordinated and bad with putting things together, so I am very impressed you managed to accomplish that today!
What furniture was that?</p>

9

<p>Hi, writestuff, how is going for you? It has been a really hot summer, no? :(</p>

<p>I also want to say your recommended items are definitely on the must have list. Especially with all the walking the students have to do to get to and from buildings. Good sturdy snow boots with excellent tread and warm winter coat/ clothing are also a must.</p>

<p>Most of the school year this past year involved plenty of snow and rain. Miserable weather. That is why I made a point of emphasizing getting some thermal underwear to layer and fortify against the oftentimes really cold and wet weather in late fall, winter and spring.</p>

10

<p>One more thing,</p>

<p>I do recommend the “command adhesive” hooks or picture hanging strips. Apparently, this do the job of sticking to dorm room walls, bath walls, etc. for hanging things on the walls without leaving any damage. They can be taken off when you are done for the year. I am also thinking the command adhesive strips might work to hang curtain panel(s) for a light darkening effect without utilizing the forbidden curtain rods in the dorms (no drilling, holes, damage permitted on the walls). </p>

<p>Try googling “command adhesive picture hanging strips” for more info.</p>

11

<p>I would make a stop at Century21 instead of BBB if you can. I got all my bathroom items for near 50% cheaper and they were the same exact items.</p>

12

<p>Yes, BBB may not always have the best prices, though it can work out better for bigger ticket items with their 20% off per item discount coupon or code. Also, some like it for convenience. But I have to admit I generally do my shopping elsewhere (also for better prices).</p>

<p>Century21 near City Hall? Is there still only one store in NYC? Wow, that is a place I used to shop at for clothing and shoes. I did not realize they carry cheaper bathroom items. Good to know. :)</p>

13

<p>Thanks for this your list evolving, it helped a lot. :slight_smile: One quick question, when do we find out about what books to buy?</p>

14

<p>Hi, sour12, You’re welcome. Good to know the list is helpful. :)</p>

<p>You will get your syllabi the first class, the first week of class or even later, ugh (depending on how on top of things the professor is; I had one colleague who waited until 2-3 weeks after class started to give out his syllabus). Generally, students should get the syllabus the first class. Also, some classes have syllabi up already since they are classes that are repeated. However, if you are looking online for books you should make sure the reading is updated with the right editions for required texts. Sometimes the online reading list has to be updated, so do not assume you are getting the latest list of readings.</p>

<p>My S got his Cultures & Contexts course readings, language textbooks (though one book was off, so that was not a good thing) before school started freshman year. He ordered used books online and that saved some money.</p>

15

<p>actually, if you go to the nyu bookstore website, there’s a link that says “search for a book.” Click on that, and then you can input the term, your netId, and birthday and it’ll give you a list of all the books you need to buy. However, the list might be incomplete as some professors take until the end of August to put up which books they want their students to have, but it’ll at least give you a starting point</p>

16

<p>Little tip with BBB:</p>

<p>Buy cheap 20% off item coupons on Ebay. I purchased 20 of them from a trust seller and they truly work. For a set of 10, it was $2.50 or around there and today turned in max amount (per day) and saved about $80. I’m going again tomorrow to turn in rest. :D</p>

<p>The customer service rep was really surprised to see all of these printed coupons and loved the tip that I gave her because she didn’t know they were sold on Ebay.</p>

<p>Basically it’s an email that the seller sends to your Ebay email address and you print them.</p>

17

<p>Yea there is still only 1 Century21 in Manhattan. Although it is easily accessible from campus. They have pretty much all the staple things you need from bath items, bedding, and small living room items.</p>

18

<p>Super recommend not bringing too much to school. You’ll be one of ~5,000 kids moving to NYU this year, and they all have to get into housing. Bring clothing, shoes, essentials … but plan to buy the rest here.</p>

<p>You have to move everything in during a specified timeslot. You’ll get one little cart that you’ll probably have to make at least two, almost definitely three trips up the elevator with, and each time you have to wait through the line and avoid the mess of dozens of other kid/parent pairs doing the same thing. Boxes full of toiletries and little personal effects that are easily obtainable here take up space in your car (if you’re driving in) and will just cram up your dorm room, a huge risk when you haven’t even seen where you’ll be spending a whole year.</p>

<p>Far better to bring what you can’t replace, get there and get a feel for your room, then head out and buy what you need. Yes, the city can be more expensive, but you’re buying a bunch of small things and there’s probably no better time than the start of the semester. Every business knows thousands of kids are moving to all the schools across the city and have sales going. BBB, Ikea, Kmart, and smaller stores are all fighting each other for your dollar.</p>

<p>Just the $.02 of an upperclassman who has been a move-in volunteer every year.</p>

19

<p>Agree with Hellodocks. Take only what you must have and buy the rest there or ship. D learned this the hard way! There is a K-mart really close to the Washington Square residences - great for cleaning supplies, storage totes, toiletries, kitchen stuff, linens, etc. One thing D WILL pack as an essential is Clorox wipes to clean all the surfaces in her new room, which may be dusty or not quite as clean as hoped. </p>

<p>Evolving, I will PM you later. I’ve been off work for 10 days, playing with my grandD! It has been a crazy summer.</p>