<p>My son will be attending in the fall, and we are starting to gather up The Stuff. Since we live in Minneapolis, we will be flying in (son going on the Yosemite hike, we're coming in on 8/30). I have a number of lists going - what to bring from home, what to buy there, what to ship.</p>
<p>I have looked at the list of stuff to bring provided on the orientation page, and have made note of the XL twin sheets, stuff to discuss with roommate such as microwave and air conditioner.</p>
<p>Is there anything else not on the list that would be handy to have? A bike seems like a good idea, but I wonder if it would be cheaper/easier to buy there (or just get a real beater). Do people store things over the summer so you don't have to bring it all back every year?</p>
<p>We are in same position as you (our sons will meet on the Pre-O hike), although neither I nor my wife is going to go out in August.</p>
<p>We plan to have him take his hiking gear (in the backpack) and one suitcase. We will order anything else online for delivery to him at Mudd beginning 8/1--including the sheets.</p>
<p>He'll be able to buy anything else out there and avoid the hassle of traveling with a lot of things. In addition, we might ship a few odds & ends (books, etc.) from home to Mudd when he is on the hike.</p>
<p>There is summer storage available for students, so they won't have to be carting things back or otherwise disposing of them.</p>
<p>when i came up (i also did the hike) i brought all my stuff with my and stored it in the LAC during the hike. The list that they give you is pretty good, but really you just need what you usually live with. I dont know if its on the list, but youll defiently want those things with the extra plugs on it. I know at least for the north dorm that outlets become rather sparse between the fridge, microwave, tv, computers, alarms, etc.</p>
<p>I an incoming freshman and also going on the Pre-O hike. I am hoping at this point to be able to bring all my stuff including my backpacking gear in two massive duffels with me. I have to bring my bassoon carry-on, so that eliminates my possibilities for bringing luggage that way.</p>
<p>The way I plan to save space is by picking up everything I need to buy when I get there. Bed, Bath and Beyond (and I think also Linens N' Things) has a store close to Mudd and a program that allows you to shop for stuff at home and pick it all up, prepaid and set aside, at a store of your choice. Beyond that, I have to bring very little, and maybe take more back for Christmas break. Now all I have to do (besides shopping and packing) is figure out how to take the pedal arms off of my unicycle, which I must bring as a new southie.</p>
<p>Quick question: Is there some place where it will be safe to store my two items of value (bassoon and laptop) while I am on the hike?</p>
<p>I don't think you need to worry so much about getting a lot of things (fridge, microwave, etc...) I never had them, and I recommend getting to school first and deciding if you'll even want them.</p>
<p>There's a Bed Bath & Beyond and other stores pretty close that you can use for your linen needs. Really, you don't need much... clothes, a computer, gear for a hobbie or sport... And if you need more things, you could always get them shipped by your family -- that's what I did.</p>
<p>Also... there will be a secure place to store your gear during the Pre-O hike.</p>
<p>Doopdevil, if you are going to play in the orchestra they have music lockers at Scripps in the performing arts building. Just be sure to get over there pre/during orientation to claim one - I guess they are pretty much in demand!</p>
<p>That's great! I thought that you could only use the Joint Music facilities if you were enrolled in a course. Can you use a practice room too without being in anything?</p>
<p>I know that as a Scripps student, I was allowed to use the practice rooms without being enrolled in any course, but I had to get special permission (which was very easy). When the year starts, just go in to the music library office (it's exactly what it sounds like and is right next to Garrison theatre) and ask them about it. I just had to fill out a form (what do you play, why do you want access, name, email, etc.) and then they emailed me and let me know. I assume that as a Mudd student (and therefore part of the 4C music program, at least hypothetically), you'd be allowed the same privilege!</p>
<p>On top of clothes, school supplies, or whatever, I'd also recommend bringing at least a little bit of stuff to personalize your space or keep you occupied in the first few days/weeks. Remember that even at the best and friendliest of schools, being away from home and in a new place can get intimidating or lonely. Whether it happens to be photos from home, posters, favorite DVDs, books, a sketch book, or what, try to make some room :)</p>
<p>Thins that I initially did not bring, but ended up bringing later out of found necessity:</p>
<p>-Wall posters: With a little color and decoration your boring room can go to very personalized quite easily. (was gonna do a limit joke here, but couldn't think of a good on)</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Water Filter: A 5-gallon water filter stuck in a fridge is an unlimited resource of delicious. It is also necessary if you are trying to cut back on soda for hygiene purposes like I did. A large cup is a great compliment to this</p></li>
<li><p>Plastic-wear and paper plates: Its just useful. </p></li>
<li><p>Instant Noodles, good ones: I eventually bought 2 crates (when they were on sale) of UFO instant noodles, which are perfect for those study sessions (and others) when you do not really have time to go to a dining hall (or if u are out of meals). ~550 Cal each, almost pure carbs.</p></li>
<li><p>A pair of long-pants PJs: perfect for having that "i'm only wearing boxers" feel without the fear of public exposure</p></li>
<li><p>Condoms: False hope? jk. Heh, I brought a box of ultra-thins to UCR last year and became trade fodder for my suite. Interesting way to meet people in you. Plus I got some chocolate-coconut one's that baffle my mind and a bunch of glow-in-dark one's in case I feel like roleplaying Star Wars. Any of you chicks wanna play Padme? I'll be Anakin ^.^</p></li>
<li><p>Extra shelfing: if you have room, this equals a crapload more of storage room. </p></li>
<li><p>Energy Drinks: He'll need it, a lot. If you are lucky a 24-pack of Monster''s will last him the entire year. </p></li>
<li><p>2-piece sounds system for your computer (+ subwoofer): because a 6-piece was just too large.
**
<strong>- Ionic-breeze Air filter system: When moving into a new environment, ESPECIALLY in Socal, you are highly vulnerable to allergies and pollen. Getting one of these overnight allowed me to breath better and clearer over the course of a day or two, and a bad stuffy nose can destroy your concentration on problem sets. Honestly one of the best investments of my life.</strong>**</p></li>
</ul>
<p>K now my turn:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Regarding alcohol, are we allowed to have it in our rooms? I have a couple of preference and would love to have some around for mixing my fav drinks. This is what some of those aforementioned energy drinks will go towards.</p></li>
<li><p>Regarding cooking, does each dorm have its own mini-kitchen of sorts? If so, does it also have its own large fridge. I dont know if I was spoiled last year with this. </p></li>
<li><p>How large is a single in East? Could I get an approximation in size, say relative to something I might be familiar with? (metric system is cool, but my spacial picturization might not go so well with just that)</p></li>
</ol>
Regarding alcohol, are we allowed to have it in our rooms? I have a couple of preference and would love to have some around for mixing my fav drinks. This is what some of those aforementioned energy drinks will go towards.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Regarding cooking, does each dorm have its own mini-kitchen of sorts? If so, does it also have its own large fridge. I dont know if I was spoiled last year with this.</p></li>
<li><p>How large is a single in East? Could I get an approximation in size, say relative to something I might be familiar with? (metric system is cool, but my spacial picturization might not go so well with just that)
[/quote]
</p></li>
<li><p>No Mudd is a dry campus. JK, everyone drinks... except east and south (south is actually a substance free dorm). </p></li>
<li><p>Only sontag I believe has kitchens. Everyone else has to have their own fridge/microwave. I know that north has a couple of dorm barbecues people can use, but I dont know about east.</p></li>
<li><p>Prolly about as large as a single in norht which is a little more than 12'x12' (rough guess really). Theyre large enough to fit anything you really need, but it gets tight.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>More dorms than just Sontag have kitchens. I don't know how widely they're used or whether it would be preferable to stock your room instead, and I also don't recall off the top of my head how well-equipped the kitchens are, but I definitely know that at least a few dorms have them (communal rather than en suite...I want to say Case, and whichever dorm has the rope swing, and maybe Linde...just trying to remember where I've been). There are even some (i.e. at least one) suites outside of Sontag that have their own kitchens (I forget if it's Linde or Atwood, but I'm sure of it). I thought every dorm had its own kitchen, but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>I'm going off old-ish memories (and I'm not a Mudd student), so if this is really important, do more asking around.</p>
<p>"- Condoms: False hope? jk. Heh, I brought a box of ultra-thins to UCR last year and became trade fodder for my suite. Interesting way to meet people in you. Plus I got some chocolate-coconut one's that baffle my mind and a bunch of glow-in-dark one's in case I feel like roleplaying Star Wars. Any of you chicks wanna play Padme? I'll be Anakin ^.^"</p>
<p>Lol. Also, remember that proctors do have free condoms. They are typically outside the proctor's door in a jar or in a box on the wall. Reserve these for emergency use only though..</p>
<p>"- 2-piece sounds system for your computer (+ subwoofer): because a 6-piece was just too large."</p>
<p>Oh, come on. I have a 7-piece + amp system and yeah it is a bit of a pain to move around but seriously... it makes my life so enjoyable when watching movies.</p>
<p>600watt main amp
2 Bose 301 (150W) fronts
2 JBL (15W) centers
2 KLW (50W) surround
1 Sony (150W) active sub
1 iMac with SPDIF optical out</p>
<p>Kitchens: There are no kitchens in East, West or North, since these are the oldest dorms. Every suite in Sontag has a kitchen. The "efficiency" doubles in Atwood have mini-kitchens, and there are dorm kitchens for everyone to share in South, Case, and Linde. So, sorry, but if you are in East it is not easy to make your own food regularly besides in a microwave. If you want to trek over to South or another dorm with a kitchen, you can do that, but it's not convenient.</p>
<p>Alcohol: drinking is common, but there are a significant number of people who don't drink (much), so you will not be completely left out either way. Technically you have to be 21 to drink, of course, but alcohol in general is allowed in all of the dorms. We are quite lenient with enforcing rules like underage drinking, so if you don't go completely crazy, there is little threat of getting in any trouble.</p>