What to Bring?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Whitman College
1

<p>I'm attending Whitman this coming fall (yay!) and have several questions about Lyman dorms and what to bring. I put down Lyman as my first choice because it's quiet, has a dining hall, and uses a suite system. I've also heard that it has some quirky students (I can be pretty weird).</p>

<p>If you could answer my questions based on your Lyman experience (or your friend's) or your general college wisdom, I'd really appreciate it. I'm super excited, but it's very overwhelming to try and figure out what I need.</p>

<p>The main question:
What are the most important items for a college student to have?</p>

<p>I've already decided that I'll be bringing an extension cord, quarters, a microwave, a printer, a bike, a frisbee, a laundry hamper, a hairdryer, a shower tote, a frying pan, a sack of potatoes, and a laptop, as well as the obvious essentials (like clothes). Do you think I should also bring a rice cooker? I'm Korean, and it's hard to imagine living on those nasty pre-cooked packages of white rice. What foods should I bring (that can't be bought at Safeway or are more expensive)?</p>

<p>Here are my other questions:
Do people steal things from the dorms? (How would you rate the security? Do I need a safe for my jewelry?)
What things are already included in a Lyman dorm room? (Hangers? Bed lamp? Bed sheets? Organizational tubs?)
How many outlets do dorm rooms usually have?
Should I bring my own sheets and a mattress? How's the quality of the beds?
Do the Lyman suites include bathrooms? (So there are two rooms and a bathroom per suite?)
What meal plan would you recommend for freshmen?
What are the most popular dorms? (I'd hate to not get into my dorm of choice, although I think living in North would be interesting and fun, too.)</p>

<p>Of course, I don't expect you to answer all of these questions! I think I'm going to visit again, and this time I'll have more specific questions to ask. :)</p>

<p>Thank you so much! I'm thrilled to be a part of Whitman's community and would love to talk.</p>

2

<p>Okay, I’m not from Lyman so I can’t answer all your questions, but I can try to answer some. (also, keep in mind that you may not get your first choice in housing, and that Whitman will send you more information once housing is assigned)</p>

<p>Off of your list–you will not need quarters (laundry rooms are free!), a microwave (each of the section lounges has one), or a printer (you get $50 worth of free printing at the library per semester and the people I know who have printers rarely use them). The rice cooker is up to you. Almost everything you need can be bought at Safeway, unless you’re looking for really obscure foods. I would definitely encourage you to bring everything else though!</p>

<p>I have never heard of anything being stolen from a dorm room, especially if you lock it. I highly doubt you’ll need a safe. Individual rooms vary, but my room has 12 outlets. Bring your own sheets (extra-long twin) but a mattress is provided. I’m not sure on bed quality because I have a mattress pad (it was a hand-me-down from a friend, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have one). Lyman suites do not include bathrooms, as far as I know. For the average freshman, I would recommend Meal Plan B (the one they automatically set you up with). As for dorms, there aren’t really “popular” ones. Jewett and Anderson have the most people, but that’s mainly because they’re the biggest, not because they’re popular. They are, however, probably the most “social” dorms–also due to the size.</p>

<p>Congratulations on your acceptance, and welcome to Whitman!!!</p>

3

<p>Thanks so much for your reply, Adrenatwhitman.</p>

<p>I stayed with a freshman at Jewett, so I know the kitchen is pretty nice. Do you know if it’s the same way in Lyman? Also, I heard it gets super hot in the first months and then really cold. I’m thinking I should bring a fan just to ensure that I don’t shrivel up.</p>

<p>I figured the security wouldn’t be a problem, but I just wanted to make sure. Whitman is pretty cool and there’s a lot of fellowship among the students, so it’s hard to imagine a lot of theft going on.</p>

<p>There’s a spring sale at Macy’s this week, so I’m going shopping (while I can still leech off my mom’s purse!). My list now (it seems to keep growing…): an extension cord, a bike, a frisbee, a laundry hamper, a hairdryer, a shower tote, a frying pan, pot, a sack of potatoes, a laptop, mattress pad, three towels, bed sheets, two blankets (one thick, one thin), a pillow, and my faithful stuffed horse. I have no idea how I’m going to squeeze that all into one room… haha.</p>

4

<p>I’m not sure if it’s the same way in Lyman, but I would assume so. Definitely bring a fan–August/September/October are really hot, and the only air-conditioned dorm is Prentiss. I live on the top floor of my dorm, and I was fine with only a fan though. I wouldn’t describe it as especially cold in the winter–it definitely does get cold, but it’s not freezing but any means. All your packing list items sound like good things to have. As for space/storage, the rooms have a lot more storage than you would expect, and I think all the dorms have basement storage for bikes if you don’t want to keep yours outside.</p>

5

<p>I agree with the things Arden has listed, and I have a few more suggestions.</p>

<p>Disclaimer: I lived in Jewett, but I did have Lyman friends.</p>

<p>From your list: microwave and frying pan should be available in the section kitchen, so I wouldn’t bother with those. As Arden said, laundry and printing are free, so take advantage of that. Extension cord, bike, frisbee, hamper, hairdryer, shower tote, and laptop are all a great idea. If you really like rice a lot, a rice cooker can be a good idea. </p>

<p>About specialty foods: It depends on what you’re looking for. Safeway is great but is definitely lacking in some things. I’m vegan and also love cooking foods from different cultures, and it’s hard to find things at times. There is a natural food store called Andy’s about a 15 minute drive from campus which has a wider selection. I’ve also been to an asian market that’s a bike ride away, but it honestly didn’t have a ton of options. So I’d say if there are spices that you’re used to cooking with that you can’t find at a big-brand store near you, you might want to bring them with.</p>

<p>Things the dorm will provide:
Bed with mattress (not super comfy), desk, chair, bookshelf, drawers for clothing, and a sort of armoire thing where you can hang your clothes (might have shelves, might not). You do not get a bathroom with the suite; you’ll share with the floor/section. They’re super clean though!</p>

<p>Things you probably want:
Sheets, pillow, Mattress pad (the K-mart here has memory foam ones relatively cheap… and trust me you want a mattress pad), organizational tubs, hangers, lamp(s), detergent and dryer sheets, command hooks for hanging stuff, an over-the-door shoe rack, a mirror, decoration stuff (I highly recommend christmas lights, as well as stuff like a little whiteboard/corkboard, curtains, posters, organizational stuff), bike lock, maybe a plate/bowl/cup/mug/fork/spoon/knife set (easily bought at goodwill, cheap)</p>

<p>Also, for the love of God, BRING A FAN. Preferably one of those huge, square, window ones. First night at Whitman, we had the windows open, both our fans on full blast, and I was mostly naked with no blankets and I was still too hot to sleep. That was a particularly hot summer, and living on the top floor did not help. In the winters it’s not too cold inside, since they keep the dorms toasty. Sometimes we even had to open our windows in winter because it was too warm. On the other hand, cuddling in an electric blanket is always nice. Definitely bring warm clothing though. </p>

<p>I’ve literally never heard anything about things being stolen from the dorms. I basically never lock my door (except breaks) and leave my laptop sitting out and what not, and I have never had a problem. Except with friends coming into my room and changing my Facebook profile to embarrassing things. But that’s a different problem. :)</p>

<p>However, I have heard of bikes being stolen so make sure to lock it up!</p>

<p>Meal plans-- I was on Plan C, and definitely did not have enough flex! Reid food is really tasty. I would also recommend Plan B, unless you’re an athlete who will be busy many evenings (or in chorale which is at noon three times a week), in which case Plan A might be better.</p>

<p>Finally, all the dorms are really awesome! For someone described as quirky, Lyman is a good place, and North would be a solid second option. Jewett is pretty rowdy at times, and lots of people went Greek, but it did have quirks of its own and it was fun. Anderson is also social but a little more indie. Prentiss has the mix of sorority girls and quiet, sweet girls.</p>

<p>CONGRATS and welcome to Whitman!</p>

6

<p>Haha, thanks for the reply! I read it a long time ago but had no time to reply. Thanks to you guys, I saved my parents a lot of money! I decided not to buy a microwave and a printer (although I found an awesome duplexing laser printer…).</p>

<p>I’ve tracked down almost every item you suggested, but I’m stumped about the mirror. Do you recommend a long full-body mirror or medium one for the face and neck?</p>

<p>You guys are lifesavers. :)</p>

7

<p>Happy to help! I had a small hand mirror, and my room in Jewett also had a mirror on the front of one of the cabinets. There was a full-sized mirror in the section lounge as well, and fairly large ones in the bathrooms. I very rarely needed a full-sized mirror (it was really only when I was trying to put together outfits for job/internship interviews). I don’t know if it’s exactly the same in Lyman, but it’s really up to you and how much you think you’ll be using a mirror.</p>

8

<p>Ah, I see. Since space is a premium anyways, I’ll forgo a mirror. I only really need it when taking care of my face. </p>

<p>I’m super excited. We haven’t been sent our roommate assignments yet. I know that some colleges allow people to choose their roommates for the next term. Does Whitman allow that?</p>

<p>Thanks, Arden!</p>

9

<p>You won’t be allowed to choose your roommate, but if you have problems with your fall roommate, you may be allowed to move to a new room, in which case you would choose a new roommate. It’s a pretty difficult process though, and not many people choose to move. Roommate assignments usually come out in late July.</p>

10

<p>I honestly found my printer really useful. I got a new, small one, for really cheap and it’s saved my friends and I a few minutes here and there. It’s not necessary, but it’s useful! And it’ll be useful if you ever move off campus as well. :)</p>

<p>You can decide if you need a mirror, etc when you get there. Walmart is pretty close by and many people will be making trips!</p>

11

<p>Ah, I see. When I visited Whitman and stayed the night as a Prospy there, my host’s roommate had a printer and she seemed to be using it pretty often. Several neighbors came over and used it, too. I already have tons of things to buy so maybe I’ll just make do on this account.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

12

<p>Our son is heading to Whitman in a few weeks! Some more packing/logistical questions:

  1. The dorm FAQ says they provide mattress toppers, but elsewhere (including CC Whitman forums) I see advice to bring one. Does anybody know about this?
  2. He will be in Anderson, which was his preference because there’s a basketball court and he likes to shoot around in his free time or when working on a paper, etc. Need to bring a ball, or are there likely to be some around?
  3. Best fan for dorm: box fan, or the in/out double headers?
    We are driving and don’t have to pack super light, but we’d rather use our money and space wisely. Thanks so much!</p>
13

<p>Hi rejnel, my S lived in Jewett freshman year so it’s possible things are different in Anderson, but I don’t believe that any of the dorm beds come with mattress toppers, my S took his own. Also, if your S is going to be shooting baskets often and at odd hours, I would suggest he bring his own ball. While there are probably intramural and club balls around, and maybe even dorm balls to be found, they may not be available when he wants to use them. As far as fans, S and his roommate just had a multi-speed swivel thing that sat on the desk in front of the widow. </p>

<p>Is your S going to have a roommate? My S and his roomy tried to not duplicate on stuff that they would both be using but they still ended up with too much stuff.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, current students don’t seem to be using CC as their social media outlet of choice. I keep hoping one will drop in with more useful information. </p>

14

<p>Thanks, bopambo! Yes, it would be handy to hear from a current student, but your replies above are very helpful. I’ve been encouraging my son to sort this stuff out in advance with his roommate, but so far he’s being . . . a boy.
Appreciate your help!</p>

15

<p>rejnel, believe me, I know exactly what you mean! The only reason that S communicated with his roommate at all was because I lost it and told him he’d only be taking his clothes if he didn’t email his roommate-to-be RIGHT NOW, and that was about a week before he left for campus. Wishing you better luck.</p>

16

<p>bopambo, you are doing me a world of good! I have been getting crazy over the weird stuff my son is and isn’t focusing on in these last few weeks before school starts. Thanks for the reality check!</p>