What to take to dorm?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston College
1

<p>Are there important things that one shouldn’t forget when moving into the dorm? We will be flying to Boston? What should we buy now? What should we buy when we get there? </p>

<p>Any ideas will be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Wow… I honestly don’t even remember what I brought, but honestly, you can buy everything you need here. I suppose the very basic ones you would need are a power strip, toiletries, and a fan. I know there’s a basic list BC provides on its website, but I can’t find it right now. I’ll be sure to post it on here if I do happen to come across it.</p>

3

<p>Since there are so many colleges in the Boston area, all the local stores stock up on everything that a student could possibly need for the dorm. The only problem might be transporting the items unless you rent a car.</p>

4

<p>A lot of stores let you order online and pick up at store. Your oreintation leader will also probably send out an email with a list of things. What you need and what usually runs out are:</p>

<p>Shower caddies
Window Fans
Storage Bins
Hampers
MATTRESS PAD!!!</p>

5

<p>Hi Helicopter</p>

<p>Below is the list that was sent to our son by his orientation leader. He attended the Orientation Session in June, which was a teriffic introduction to BC.</p>

<p>He lives in Newton, and the dorms are warm, so don’t bother with fleece blankets. A window fan is a must, even in winter.</p>

<p>Packing Checklist
A couple things to keep in mind:

  1. Don’t over pack! You can get by on much less than you think and you will enjoy having more space if you don’t clutter your dorm room with unnecessary things.
  2. When it says “talk to your roommate” that means coordinate! You don’t need to double up on everything. Figure out what each person will bring and split up some of the items listed.
  3. This is a generic list that I modified a little bit. There might be a few things missing or a few things listed that you don’t need. Packing will be different for everyone so there are a couple of extra spaces in each section for you to add to the list if you want.
  4. Good luck packing and let me know if you have any questions!
    Bedroom
    • _<em>extra long sheets
    • _</em>duvet/comforter
    • _<em>pillows
    • _</em>blankets
    • _<em>wastebasket
    • _</em>mirror
    • _<em>hangers
    • _</em>alarm clock
    • _<em>TV / DVD (talk to your roommate!)
    • _</em>floor lamp (optional, you will have overhead lighting)
    • _<em>fan
    • _</em>phone (only if you chose to use your BC dorm number)
    • _<em>stereo
    • _</em>closet organizers (if you want them)
    • __
    • __
    *The beds are Twin XL.
    Laundry
    • _<em>small ironing board & iron
    • _</em>laundry bag/hamper
    • _<em>laundry drying rack (if you need it)
    • _</em>laundry detergent
    • __
    • __
    *You don’t need quarters because you can add money to your EagleBucks account through Agora and swipe your BC ID to do your laundry.
    Desk
    • _<em>extension cord - multi outlets
    • _</em>scissors
    • _<em>highlighters
    • _</em>white out
    • _<em>book bag
    • _</em>surge protector
    • _<em>stapler
    • _</em>printer and paper(optional, you can print in the computer lab and libraries)
    • _<em>post-it pads
    • _</em>tape
    • _<em>sticky tack (or sticky hooks to hang things on the walls)
    • _</em>paperclips
    • _<em>index cards
    • _</em>computer
    • _<em>desk lamp
    • _</em>pencils & pens
    • _<em>hole punch
    • _</em>desktop calendar (or some similar way of getting organized!)
    • __
    • __
    • __
    *Before classes start figure out how you are going to keep your class work organized. Get a calendar/organizer/notebook to keep all of your assignments straight. Time management is the most challenging part of freshman year, but if you start out with a plan it will be much easier
    Bathroom
    • _<em>towels
    • _</em>toothpaste
    • _<em>dental floss
    • _</em>deodorant
    • _<em>tooth brush
    • _</em>razor
    • _<em>conditioner
    • _</em>soap
    • _<em>shampoo
    • _</em>box of tissues
    • _<em>Q-tips
    • _</em>cotton balls
    • _<em>shower caddy
    • _</em>flip flops/ robe (you will share a bathroom with the people on your floor)
    • _<em>mouthwash
    • _</em>nail clipper
    • __
    • __
    • __
    Kitchen
    • _<em>mini-fridge(talk to your roommate!)
    • _</em>microwave (talk to your roommate!)
    • _<em>bowls & cups
    • _</em>utensils
    • __
    • __
    *You don’t have a kitchen but it can be nice to bring some things back from the dining hall to keep in your room. If you are not a morning person—keeping cereal and milk or other items in your room can help you eat breakfast in the morning without having to make the trip to the dining hall which means more sleeping time!
    *Renting a MicroFridge through BC is an option if you don’t want to buy a microwave and mini-fridge. Check out [Welcome</a> to Rackraiser Incorporated -](<a href=“http://www.rackraiser.com%5DWelcome”>http://www.rackraiser.com) for more information.
    Organization
    • _<em>stacking storage cubes
    • _</em>storage containers
    • _<em>plastic under the bed storage/footlocker
    • _</em>
    • __
    Medical
    • _<em>cold medicine
    • _</em>insurance card
    • _<em>first-aid kit
    • _</em>
    • __
    Other
    • _<em>safety pins
    • _</em>sewing kit
    • _<em>umbrella
    • _</em>flashlight
    • _<em>sports equipment
    • _</em>winter jacket (this is important )
    • _<em>pool towel
    • _</em>batteries
    • _<em>60-watt light bulbs
    • _</em>camera
    • _<em>hammer
    • _</em>pliers
    • _<em>screwdriver
    • _</em>
    • __</p>
6

<p>Dear tuxedocats : Thanks for posting the full list. Add to this some items which are used to break the boredom and downtime - again, all “extras” but can make time pass:</p>

<p>Cable TV cabling for the television (everyone forgets this)
Small portable stereo (check with your roommate)
Alarm clock, clock radio, iPod dock
Video game system (check with your roommate)
Printer/scanner (optional)
Something to play movies/DVDs</p>

<p>Beyond all else, box fans for the windows. When my oldest started at Boston College, it was 90 degrees for the first three weeks and it was brutal in the dorms. When my younger starter, it was 60 degress and cool for the first month and the dorms could still be on the warm side. A box fan is the best way to exchange the outdoor/indoor air.</p>

7

<p>Personally, I check the must-haves-on-Day 1 on board, such as bedding. A 20" cube box will work for basics. (airlines have a 62" linear limit before you have to pay an oversize charge.)</p>

<p>Other items can be purchased and shipped UPS/Fedex Ground, or purchased locally. There is a Target a few miles from campus that stocks up well for Dorm essentials, so that is a better option. Or, you can order online from Bed, Bath and Beyond and have them ship.</p>

<p>Note, the BC mail room goes into overload since so many kids ship stuff and purchase online, including textbooks. Thus, I also ship to the hotel instead of campus. Shipping 5 days early from California means that packages will be there waiting at the hotel when I land. It saves the hour+ line at the mail room.</p>

8

<p>Before freshman year, we mailed several boxes full of sheets, blankets, pillows, mattress pad, and towels to a friend’s house in Newton. If you know anyone in the area, that’s the best option. I never did the shipping to the hotel but that sounds like a better deal than shipping to campus. I debated doing Bed, Bath and Beyond pre-order and then picking up at a Boston store. If you are going to buy bedding in BOston, I would look into this option to make sure everything you need is waiting for you.</p>

<p>I stayed for a couple of days to make sure my son had everything he needed and ended up going to Target many times. There is also a Container Store, Macy’s, Home Depot, Best Buy, Bed, Bath and Beyond, etc relatively close.</p>

<p>We ended up buying laundry supplies, bath supplies, school supplies, storage boxes, etc when we got there without a problem.</p>

<p>The fan is very important and you might need to plan ahead for that. We got a small desk top one that could be moved around as needed.</p>

<p>My son did not end up needing everything on the check list but did need things noted as not necessary (eg lamp - he had no overhead lighting ). When he got to his room he saw the layout and how he wanted to set things up. He ended up with a bathroom inside his room (surprise!) which meant a whole list of things we hadn’t planned for.</p>

<p>Everything can be bought in Boston with the exception of personal items. We were so focused on all his essentials, we did not bring any photos or posters for his walls. When I left him, his roommates had all kinds of photos of family/friends and posters,etc. He had the BC football poster that they give everyone - very sad!!! Right away, I mailed him a big box of things for his wall!</p>

<p>If you are able to go back to Parents Weekend, you will be able to make sure all is well with supplies, etc. </p>

<p>Good Luck!!</p>

<p>PS After freshman year, he left all his bedding, school supplies, and winter clothes in a friend’s basement - moving in this year was SO much easier!</p>

9

<p>Make sure you bring a long ethernet cable. Depending on how you set up your desks, you may need to run this cable around the perimeter of your room to reach from your wall connection your desk. There’s no WiFi in the freshman dorms.</p>

10

<p>Using BB&B was extremely convenient when our son started at BC. We just went to a local BB&B store here in AZ over the summer and picked out what he needed. They gave us a scan gun and we just walked through the store and scanned in the bar codes on our items. Then they printed out our list and we arranged to have the entire order filled at a designated BB&B in the Boston area. (We used the Fenway store since it’s quite near the BC campus and you can get there using the T.) When we showed up at the Fenway store, they had all of the items together in a big bin with our name on it. Then we had the option to delete any items we had changed our minds about before finally paying for it and taking it with us.</p>

<p>By doing it this way, we weren’t rushed, we didn’t have to worry about things being sold out, and we didn’t have to pay shipping charges (or even deal with shipping). I highly recommend it.</p>

<p>The Fenway store has a Staples store right next door in the same shopping mall, so you can pick up school supplies on the same trip. More convenience!</p>

11

<p>Here’s a slightly different view. Make sure your daughter or son has the essentials for the dorm room, but then him or her figure out the rest with their new roommate.</p>

12

<p>there’s really no wi-fi in the dorms? seriously? do you know if they’re planning on installing it soon?</p>

13

<p>wireless is available nearly everywhere on campus, but you’ll find dead spots-poor reception at ALL colleges that build dorms with cinder block walls. They are just too thick to be easily penetrated. Thus, ethernet is generally faster and more consistent.</p>

14

<p>ok that makes sense, thanks!</p>