# What should I bring to my college dorm? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 3, 2000, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-bring-to-my-college-dorm/43865 "2000-12-03T22:42:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![DoperChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DoperChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoperChic)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2000, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-bring-to-my-college-dorm/43865/81 "2000-12-09T07:59:40Z")
Thanks for the link, Sxyzzx. I was begining to wonder if these things actually exist. Do you have any ideas has to how reliable the site is? I am definitely going to get one, but probably not from there. They just look kinda shady. Thanks for the link though. It was most helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Sxyzzx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sxyzzx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sxyzzx)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2000, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-bring-to-my-college-dorm/43865/82 "2000-12-09T08:14:16Z")
I rented a Micro-Fridge from the site, and had no problems. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-bring-to-my-college-dorm/43865/83 "2000-12-11T20:17:07Z")
In regards to your questions about rules and discipline, I’d like to agree with everything ArchiveGuy said, expecially this part. [QUOTE] \*Originally posted by ArchiveGuy \* \*\* > [@](#): > > I’ll be the first to admit that some hall staff can have serious attitude problems or power trips (hey, I’ve supervised them), but most “uncool” RAs are simply doing their job. It was always easy to single out the most mature residents by simply noticing which ones actually understood this (especially the ones who took responsibility for breaking the rules instead of blaming the RA when getting caught). \*\* I tend to be pretty easygoing, but one of my supervisors, who’s in charge only of discipline, is a lot more strict than I am. Generally, the first offense for anything should only get you a warning (unless it’s life threatening; we also have a zero-tolerance policy for drugs – first-time possession can get you kicked out of residence). If something is done repeatedly, more serious action will be taken… a whole lot depends on the person dealing with the situation. RAs don’t play favorites … but I’m less likely to fine you if I know you and we get along; that’s just human nature. Be friendly with your RA, but don’t expect special privileges. To repeat what others have said, because it’s important: Be open-minded and easy going, but assertive when need be. Work out rules for various situations (sharing, guests, locking the door, music, studying/sleeping) with your roommate ahead of time. Sometimes, no matter how well you get along with your roommate, you’ll need to get out of your room and find some personal space for a while. Find a place on campus where you can be quiet and alone, at any time of day. Maybe the room of a good friend who knows how to be quiet and just let you be, maybe a spot outside and down by the lake (we have one), maybe a coffeeshop that’s open at 3 am. Whatever works for you. Markers and a whiteboard on your door are a must. Be willing to try new things, but set some boundaries for yourself. I hope some of this helped. I’ll probably think of more later, andd come back. Feel free to ask me more questions/email me, if I didn’t come off as too much of a pompous know-it-all. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-bring-to-my-college-dorm/43865/84 "2000-12-11T20:22:50Z")
Oh, and in addition to the blank notebook/journal, bring a day planner (with pages for each day for the year). I always have so much going on, that I don’t know what I’m doing or where I’m going until I get there. Write down meetings, write down dates that assignments are due, write down events on campus you might like to go to, write down when exams are, write down what his/her phone number is, write down what you need to do that day and what you need to get at the store. And don’t forget to schedule time for naps! ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-bring-to-my-college-dorm/43865/85 "2000-12-11T20:33:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by StGermain \* > \*\*I’d recommend a small TV/VCR combo > StG \*\* I’d recommend a 60" HDTV. You’d be **really** with you room mates ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-bring-to-my-college-dorm/43865/86 "2000-12-11T20:40:57Z")
I second the above. However, I was never very good at the day-planner thing. I needed something a little bigger, more visual for my personality type. If this is the case, and personal organizers just don’t work for you, do the following: -go to an art supply store/pharmacy/megamart and get a piece of white poster board, some dry-erase markers, and a big ruler -mark off five big rows, and seven columns in thick marker -leave small, empty boxes in the top left corner of each box -at the very top, label the columns Sunday through Saturday -use color as you see fit -go to an art supply store or teacher supply store and get that baby laminated You now have a large monthly calendar with PLENTY of room on it. I made mine sophmore year, and it lasted all 3 years I had left. That thing saved my life on several occassions. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2001, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-bring-to-my-college-dorm/43865/87 "2001-01-10T14:02:39Z")
So…what’d you bring? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-bring-to-my-college-dorm/43865.md?page=4)