If so, you won't want to miss this list! Here's a comprehensive list of everything you already have packed and everything else you never thought you needed. Clarkson is going to be your home for the next 9 months, so you might as well get off to the right start and most importantly, be comfortable! If you've already survived a year or two at Clarkson and you think of something we missed, send it to us and we'll add it to the list.
If you want to see what Clarkson actually recommends, you can find it here. However, it's outdated- for example, Cubley, Reynolds, Ross, and Brooks (the 4 houses that make up the Quad) are all carpeted fully and have been for years.
Here's what you need:
A computer. Clarkson requires that you have one, and that it meets certain standards. Clarkson offers a purchase program that seems to be working well this year, so if you ordered one, have no fear: your computer will be waiting for you when you get on campus.
Along with your shiny new computer, you'll need some other gadgets: - an ethernet cable (due to the layout of the rooms, we'd recommend 25') - a USB Flash Drive (the best portable data storgae; trust us, a "memory stick" will come in handy) - CDs and discs to save data on (again, a flash drive tends to work the best) - a printer (but keep in mind you get $25 worth of printing on campus) - surge protector
Bed sheets. Beds in Clarkson dorms all need Twin-XL, so keep that in mind when you're shopping
A comforter for those nippy -40 degree nights and a cozy fleece blanket
Extra pillows to prop yourself up in bed while watching TV or reading. One of those 'back hubby' pillows might be a good idea too
A mattress pad and egg crate to save your poor back and keep you from touching that mattress that has experienced many years of drunken students sleeping on it (yeah, gross)
A laundry basket. Either a hip-hugger or a pop-up hamper is ideal for lugging up and dorm the stairs in the dorms. Don't forget the detergent and dryer sheets!
Quarters. Clarkson has switched over to the Knight Card (part of your school id) which you can use on vending machines and laundry. So only bring quarters if you plan on doing laundry off campus. Due to all of the problems campus laundry has been having (tech issues, vandalism, etc.) we highly suggest looking else where!
Hangers. They're inexpensive, and you'll need lots of 'em
Shelves or an over-the-door closet organizer might be handy if you have lots of stuff
A TV with DVD player and VCR. You'll need a coaxial cable so you can actually watch that cable you're paying for! (The cost of cable is included in your dorm fees)
A fridge. A small cube will be sufficient, but a larger 4 cubic foot fridge has a freezer big enough to actually store things in and can hold quite a few cans of whatever refreshing beverage you prefer.
A microwave, cause sometimes you live all the way down the hall from the lounge. It's a long walk at 3 AM when all you want is your ramen.
A cordless phone and answering machine. Calls on campus are free, though Clarkson has a ridiculous phone plan that charges you for local calls, so you're probably better off with a cell phone most of the time.
Pictures and posters to hang on your walls. You don't want to live with "Clarkson white" walls all year long. Remember to bring double sided poster tape!
A desk lamp- they're nice to use while you're early-bird roommate is hitting the sack at 10:30 and you're a night owl.
Some sort of camera, be it digital, 35mm, or disposable.
Rechargable AA batteries will save you lots of money in the long run.
A beanbag chair or butterfly chair is nice to have around. You don't need a computer chair though, cause relatively comfy ones are provided. You could even bring a loveseat-sized sofa if you don't mind lofting your bed over it or having it chill in the middle of your room all year.
A sewing kit. It doesn't have to be much, just some needles and a few colors of thread, but it's handy to have around when you rip your favorite shirt or last pair of clean pants. Make sure you know the sewing basics!
You get a garbage can with the room, but we recommend a second one so you have to take the trash out less often.
An iron and small ironing board if you tend to be picky about your appearance, but otherwise, don't bother. You probably won't use them.
An alarm clock. As much as you'd like to sleep in every morning, the likelihood that you'll have 8 AMs is pretty high for freshmen.
A full-length mirror to hang on your closet door is helpful when you need to make sure you haven't tucked your shirt into your underwear or sat in something unpleasant. (Most rooms do have good mirrors, though)
An organizer (PDA or a notebook-type) will come in handy. If you know you won't use one, at least buy a calendar to write stuff down on. You'll need it.
Flip-flops work the best for the showers. Trust us, you need something to protect your feet in those gross stalls.
Slippers for your room and inside the dorm are nice.
A shower caddy. Something with holes in the bottom so water can drain out. It doesn't need to be huge, just big enough to hold your shampoo and a bar of soap
Towels! Don't forget towels, or you'll have to run naked to and from the showers.
Bring a fan, if not two. When you arrive here in August, your dorm room is going to be about 90 degrees, especially if you live on the second or third floor. Even through the winter, the dorms are very hot, so unless you're from the South and aren't used to the cold, you'll probably have your fan going or the windows open all winter long.
A coffee maker if that's your thing, or a hot pot to heat water for tea or ramen works really well.
A mug or two, either for your coffee or to hold pens on your desk.
A message board for your door might be a good choice, though the dry-erase pens are usually stolen by October. You can get a pack of 3 for a buck at the dollar store though, so that isn't a big deal.
Pledge Wipes or Clorox Wipes...the cheery lemon scent will fool others into thinking your room is clean, even if you know better. They actually work wonders on dust though.
A screwdriver or two (the tools, not the drink, but both if you desire) and a hammer will come in very handy. You'll need that hammer if you want to adjust the height on your bed.
A stereo if you don't plan on just using your computer as one, or if your computer speakers suck.
A little first aid kit, especially if you're accident-prone or tend to get crazy while drinking.
Cold medicine and cough drops, 'cause even if you never use them, your friends will come begging for 'em.
Tylenol or Advil for headaches caused by overindulgence the night before or stress from the stacks of work you have
Pepto-Bismol or Rolaids for when Ro-Bro makes you ill.
Ny-Quil and Day-Quil, or something along those lines. Just to help for when you get sick and need to knock yourself out, or if you conveniently get sick right before a long day when you have 4 lectures and 2 labs.
Pushpins or thumbtacks for hanging stuff if you live in the Quad.
Double-sided tape for hanging posters and duct tape (though it's forbidden) for all sorts of things.
Christmas lights of some sort, but if you string them around the underneath side of your lofted bed, watch your head on them! Little bits of glass in your skull is never good.
Some sort of rubber crates or metal storage cubes...you'll have room for them in your closet or under your bed.
Basic toiletries: shampoo and conditioner, soap or body wash, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste and toothbrushes, whatever gunk you use in your hair, a comb or brush, lotion, Q-Tips, dental floss, tweezers, nail clippers and file, spare contacts, glasses, and contact solution if you need them, and a hair dryer if you use one.
Plastic silverware is wonderful because you can just throw it away...and you probably already have it left over from your graduation party. If not, stolen Ro-Bro silverware works just fine.
Paper towels. Great for spills, even better when you use one instead of a plate. No dishes!
Tissues!
A couple bowls for ramen or Easy Mac, and some Tupperware containers to store leftovers in.
A Nalgene bottle. Yeah, they're overused, but if you play sports, hike, or plan on throwing it off the roof, they're excellent. Just don't put milk in them.
A Brita pitcher. Clarkson water is horrible, which you probably know if you spent the night or even just took a tour. If you want decent drinking water, a filter is a must.
Your favorite CDs, DVDs, and even VHS, cause somebody has a VCR. The library does, as a last resort.
Snacks and junk food for those late night cravings after Empire has closed. Granola bars, lots of candy, fruit cups, peanut butter, tortilla chips, Teddy Grahams, crackers, etc are all good choices. Think stuff that doesn't spoil. If you bring anything in a can, remember, you need a can opener! Anything bottled that isn't twist-off (think IBC root beer) will need a bottle opener, too.
Ear plugs if you're picky about having quiet while you study or sleep. Headphones are great if your roommate is the one who needs quiet.
A phone card with lots of minutes for calling Mom and Dad, even if it's just to ask for more money. Unless of course, they already gave you a cell phone!
Don't bother bringing your entire book collection with you. You won't have much time to read, and if you do choose to partake of a little leisure reading, our dinky library should have something to satisfy you.
Don't forget a notebook for each class, pens and pencils, your graphing (or at least 4-function) calculator, extra printer paper and ink cartridges, a ruler, some highlighters, Post-It notes, Scotch tape, a Sharpie or two, and a stapler and staples.
Clothes:
You want enough stuff that you don't have to do laundry very often. That's at least 21 pairs of underwear and socks, if not more like 31.
Don't bring what you won't wear! Some wisdom: if you haven't touched it in over a year, don't bring it. Leave that prom dress at home too.
Gym clothes. No, this isn't PE class. You're all grown up now and its up to you if you want to run around and play flag football or not. Either way, Clarkson has a pretty nice weight room and fitness center, along with a large gym. Theres basketball courts, an indoor track, raquetball... even badmitton. However, MAKE SURE YOU BRING ALONG AN EXTRA PAIR OF SNEAKERS! You can't work out in what you walked to the gym in, and wearing your flip-flops in minus-20 degree weather when there's snow on the ground isn't fun at all.
Potsdam gets damned cold. You want sweaters or sweatshirts, and a pair of long underwear under your jeans will keep your legs toasty.
A heavy coat- wool or a very warm ski jacket, warm gloves and a good hat, and a scarf. Snow boots won't hurt if you think you'll be playing in the snow.
Comfy PJs, 'cause you'll probably wear them to classes.
A nice dress or a suit might come in handy if you have an interview or a hot date.
Anything that will come in handy for theme parties.
And the most important stuff of all:
Talk to your roommate as soon as you find out who he or she is. You need to coordinate who's bringing the TV, DVD player, phone, fridge, microwave, etc.
Bring the stuff you love! Don't even think about leaving that stuffed animal or blanket you sleep with every night behind. If you're used to having it around, you'll get homesick without it.
Whether you ski or snowboard, play basketball or frisbee, bring your equipment for it. The chances are pretty good that you'll find other people with similar interests.
This might seem like a lot, but you should find you'll have lots of storage space. Plus, don't forget that you can always send stuff back home with Mom and Dad if you decide you don't want it after all! And if you forget something, there's now a Walmart in Potsdam!
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