<p>I did not visit the dorms during the Summer Registration. I got a double at Wardall, but don't know how it looks or how big it is. So I have no idea what to expect and what to bring with me. Is there a general list to help me with this? Any personal suggestions are also welcome.</p>
<p>Would it be a good idea to bring 15 books with me (300-400 pages each)? TV? Chairs? These are some of the questions I'm asking myself :).</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Depends on whether you are male or female since I have experienced both in the move. If male, you bring one suitcase with clothes, your bedding, your computer with speakers for music, possibly a small TV, towels and toiletries, a few needed books. If female, you bring everything you own.</p>
<p>I assume you have a double. It is a small room (about 10’ by 11’) with two beds, two desks, two chairs, two small closets. Beds can be as singles or set up as bunks (default is single but you can request bunk if you you want before going and they will set it up; otherwise if you want bunks you will need strong helpers to do it when you get there). Many go with bunks to give more space in rest of room. They do not supply bedding for the beds and thus you need pillows, sheets, blankets. Room has wired internet with only one ethernet hook-up in the room and thus one of the persons in the room should bring a router so you can split it in two. (Important is to communicate with roommate before going so both of you don’t bring the same things when only one is needed). For info for room hook-ups search for “resnet guide” on UIUC’s site. Setting up your own wireless in the room is not allowed and early in the year they have wireless police floating around buildings checking for wireless criminals (and after that early period when the wireless police go away some students break the law). You will need a special type of ethernet cord to hook into wall which they will supply because it does not take the kind you usually buy (you should go on-line to pages that cover this); going from router you just need a long ethernet cord. If you want a TV best to keep it small (again check with roommate as to who brings one). Of course, if you have a TV, you will need something (a stand) to put it on. There are no curtains but places to hang them so if you want curtains you will need those. Obviously, you need clothes, bath articles, towels, robe, laundry stuff if you intend to wash your clothes once in a while (far too many often avoid that task). </p>
<p>You should have some small tools (scissors,screwdrivers, pliers etc.) in case you need them, scotch tape, at least one extension cord because you only get one wall socket for electricity. Some follow the two-necessity rule and have duct tape and lubricant oil such as 3-in-1; under the two-necessity rule, if it moves and is not supposed to, you use the duct tape, and if it doesn’t move but is supposed to, you use the oil. Walls are concrete so you cannot pound nails into them for pictures (they will charge you for any damage) and thus if you need to actually hang something on the wall you will either use tape or a hook that just pastes to the wall. The floor is tile and cold and thus many bring a small area rug. If you do bunks, you can actually put another chair in the room (bean bag chairs are often popular). Many have a small refrig and microwave and you can actually rent those through a company that serves the school (they also rent bedding and rugs). You can get a phone line but most students these days just use their mobile phones and don’t spend the extra for a landline. Bringing 15 books? If you have already read them, why? Desk has some room for some books. Some do invest in a small bookcase; others just do what is normal for students and toss books on the floor.</p>
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<p>Drusba, regardless of its veracity, you do realize you’re about to get flamed…</p>
<p>You do not need a router, the dorm provides that. Just bring an ethernet cord or buy one from the front desk for $5 when you get there. I never knew about the wireless police though. :D</p>
<p>Power strips are a must, especially if you’re a guy that likes to set up complex gaming systems. Buying your own microwave and fridge is cheaper than renting and you get to keep them at the end of the year. TVs are usually just placed on top of one of the dressers or the minifridge.</p>
<p>Drusba, thank you so much for that informed post. Now I have a much better idea what to expect from the dorm. I’ll definitely contact my roommate, once I get his info, and we’ll figure out who brings what.</p>
<p>I can confirm Zealain’s statement, there is no need to bring a router/hub with you to setup an Internet connection.</p>
<p>Now, Florida is the only state where I have lived, while in America. So I really have no idea what it is like to live in snowy states for a student. How many pairs of shoes do you recommend? For example, a pair of shoes for:</p>
<ol>
<li>Walking in snow (something durable).</li>
<li>To wear inside a dorm (comfortable, like slippers).</li>
<li>Formal events, held inside (optional).</li>
</ol>
<p>Is this fairly accurate? I’m assuming a similar scenario for clothes.</p>
<p>Most of the dorms aren’t air-conditoned and other than the first month of school it is not needed. Late August through September are usually warm and generally September is one of the best months to be in Illinois (70s to low 80s). The fall usually sees a gradual decline in temperatures until December when you can say winter is upon you. Winters vary from extemely brutal to not too awful. Usually you do not see snow before December but occassionally something comes in November. Snowiest times are usually December through February although you can often get storms into March and in some years we have even seen snow in April. Nevertheless, Mid-March through May are usually not bad, although you can get a lot of rain at times. By time school ends in May, temperatures are still struggling many years to get above the 60s although you can sometimes even get 80s in April and early May. As April was once described: it can be freezing, it can snow, there can be severe thunderstorms, it can be warm, even hot, it can be sunny … and then in the afternoon…</p>
<p>The December through early March period is also dark. You get a lot of days where you never see the sun because of clouds or you only see it the day after a major storm. Also, that time of year you are getting only about 8 hours between sunrise and sunset. We have had Decembers where there was very little snow and then we have had Decembers where it snows every other day and there are 60 inches on the ground by the end of the month. Late December to mid-February is usually the time of greatest risk of major blizzards although they can come earlier or later. Late December through early February can also bring extreme cold (again it varies yearly) including a lot of days below 20 as the high and several days below zero. You have not experienced a UIUC winter until you wake up one morning in mid-January, there are 12 inches of new snow on the ground. the temperature outside is zero, the wind is blowing at 25 miles an hour, and you have to walk 1/2 mile to get to class.</p>
<p>As to shoes, I would suggest just bring what you have and wait to buy until after you get there. When you get there in August it is likely going to be hot. Slippers for dorms are needed. Formal events? What formal events? I think most go through college where the only “formal” event is when they go for a job interview. Might be something where you might get to the “business casual stage” where a pair of loafers is enough.</p>
<p>Clothes: again you might wait until after you are there. You are going to need a jacket of some warmth in the fall and then a winter coat, possibly scarf, earmuffs or a winter hat that warms the ears.</p>
<p>Thanks drusba. I will do just that – bring whatever clothes I have, and get new ones as needed. Haven’t seen a real winter in 10 years, so this is going to be something for me. Grown up in Russia, lived through -40 degree winters, but I think Florida killed all my frost resistance :D.</p>