hi! i’m a rising fourth year at uchicago and i saw pictures of your room and thought it looked amazing. i would really love to have a great final room at uchicago, and i was wondering if you would be able to share what room you had/ any advice for getting a good room in bj in the house lottery?
Whew it's been a hot minute since i checked this blog!! i don't actually remember what room number i had (it was on the second floor though) but it was actually on the smaller side as far as rooms go! as a rising fourth-year you'll definitely have seniority so that should help, but honestly my best advice is to make your room feel like home! No matter how big or small my rooms have been, decorating it with things i love and making it feel like "mine" has always made it a good experience - my go-tos include string lights, fun pillows, pictures of my friends, and flowers!
Hey I’m an incoming student at Uchi and I just want to ask: 1. 🥺 do you think they (orientation office) will still give out free goodies like mugs and class T-shirt? 2. What’s your experience with housing when the school went remote? For personal issues, I probably can’t return home. 3. Do you have any general advice for winter gear? My parents said I should buy it around October/November so it won’t take up space in my luggages.
Hi there! And welcome to UChicago!!
1) So i think it will go one of two ways - either yes, because they really want to cultivate a strong alumni donor base which means trying to make sure students have really good experiences and memories, especially during O-Week. Alternatively, because they’re in major financial troubles rn (as is every university ever) they might not. I think that if they do, and I really hope they do, it’ll be just a few things - most likely a t-shirt, mug, drawstring bag sort of deal. i don’t think they’ll spend a ton of money on BIG O-Week gifts but i think they’ll probably make sure y’all get a few nice things.
2) Hmm okay so if we’re talking facilities, it was okay. i was in Max, and having private bathrooms meant I could social distance pretty well. Going to the dining hall always made me a bit anxious but they did a really good job of sanitizing everything and the staff were great. However, it is super lonely, so just be prepared for that. Set up time for video calls with friends from home and people on campus! Housing experience wise, it was very strange. Now keep in mind, i was an RA. So I guess i saw many different sides of it, but i didn’t feel as connected to my house and I know my residents didn’t get the experience i wanted them to get. Many houses found fun ways to connect with each other but it’s just not the same as having study break in the lounge together and taking trips on the CTA, you know? But i know the housing staff are trying their best to make next year feel special, and we’ve learned a lot from last quarter!
3) Honestly i’d buy in October! Last year it snowed on Halloween so it gets quite cold quite fast. If you can find any on sale now from last season’s line, I think it’s worth a good deal and having it either take up space in your luggage or asking if your parents can ship it or something! i got a version of this coat from North Face before my first year. It was on sale for like $250 at the time and while it felt expensive, that parka held up like a champion through 4 years of Chicago winters, countless hours getting tossed around in the Reg or the CTA or in class, and even a Polar Vortex. imo, it’s worth it to invest in a coat that you know will keep you warm even in subzero temperatures and that will hold up. This post has some good recs of solid winter coats that are over and under $250 depending on your budget! REI, LL Bean, North Face, Patagonia, and Columbia are good places to look for a coat and always check the sale/clearance section! ASOS, H&M, Target, and Everlane have some even cheaper options. If you REALLY want to wait and you can handle waiting the cold out (honestly if you’re not walking to class you might be able to do this), then wait until Black Friday to purchase a coat so you can take advantage of the sales then.
Okay kids, you’ve seen the post about packing light for college, so here’s some specifics for all of you incoming freshmen or returning students who will be living on campus! This is NOT the year to bring extra furniture, decorations, etc. This is the year to pack light and be ready to get on out of there at a moment’s notice if you have to. i proudly present to you -
“What to bring and what not to bring when going to college in a global pandemic!!!”
STORAGE
i used to swear by my camp trunk when i packed for school and while a trunk can be useful because it has more space inside it’s going to be harder to take on a plane or bus. If you go for a trunk, make sure its combined dimensions (length+width+height) are 62 inches or less (the size requirement for checked luggage). The ideal size would probably be a 32x17x13 inch trunk.
Instead of trunks or big containers, go for a combination of suitcases and duffle bags. Your goal should be to minimize luggage - you want be able to carry everything through an airport without any help. So let’s say in theory at MOST you should have a combination that looks something like:
2 checked suitcases + 1 checked duffle + 1 carryon duffle + one personal item backpack
1 checked suitcase + 1 checked duffle + 1 carryon suitcase + one personal item backpack
Get creative, mix and match, calculate the costs for each combination, which will vary depending on if you’re flying, taking a bus, driving, or taking a train.
Checked and carryon luggage should ideally have 4 spinner wheels and a handle, this will make it easier to move all by yourself. Put your duffles around the handles of the luggage so you can carry everything yourself with minimal effort. If you have checked luggage and carryon luggage, consider a bag connector like this one! You can find surprisingly decent luggage at Costco and from Travelpro, which is designed for pilots and flight attendants but has massive markdowns all the time.
A good duffle should be spacious with multiple compartments or pockets. If you’re an experienced camper or backpacker, maybe use those types of bags! If you’re not, get something that’s 40 liters of space or more. i bought this 50L duffle for $30 and it’s absolutely absurd the amount of stuff i can fit in it.Leave all other storage options at home.
Don’t bring your own desk, drawers, furniture etc. Use only the furniture provided by the dorm. Don’t even bring a laundry hamper! Get a fabric laundry bag that you can easily fold.
LEARN HOW TO PACK EFFICIENTLY. Choose your fighter, the army rolling method or the KonMari folding method (Marie Kondo also has a great video on how to organize what you pack and choose only what you need). This will allow you to bring the amount of clothes you need while taking up minimal space. Speaking of which -
CLOTHING
Your goal is to minimize both items and travel (meaning you shouldn’t plan as if you’re going to travel home every break to swap out clothes). Now is a great time to learn how to build a capsule wardrobe of basic items that can be mixed and matched. Keep it simple. Obviously if you’re in a warmer climate, this will be easier. For colleges with seasons, i’d say aim for 2 pairs of jeans or trousers you like, 1 pair of dress pants, and 1-2 pairs of leggings/joggers/comfortable pants. 1 pair of shorts, no more than 2 skirts, no more than 3 dresses (1 nicer, 1 more casual and comfortable). 10-12 shirts or less (include a variety of tanks, tee shirts, long sleeves, button downs, sweaters, etc.) and 3-5 “layers” like a blazer, cardigan, hoodie, etc. 2 pairs of pajamas, one for warmer weather and one for cooler weather. One raincoat, one fall/spring midweight jacket, one good winter coat - if you’re in Chicago, NYC, etc. invest in a warm parka, and i don’t mean Canada Goose. Just something sturdy that will keep you warm.
You’re going to repeat outfits. That’s fine. You’re not going anywhere important and you’ll be spending a lot of time in your room online. Being able to get out is more important than looking cute.
Pack an appropriate amount of underwear, socks, bras, etc. Bring a hat or two, one for sun and a thick beanie for the cold. Bring one tie and one pair of snow gloves if you need either. Bring a scarf or two for cold climates (they can be an extra layer of protection over a mask). If you wear jewelry, choose up to 10 items you really want and put them in a bag or a small portable jewelry box.
You only need 4 pairs of shoes maximum - one pair of sneakers/gym shoes that you could easily walk two miles in. One pair of of easy slip-on slip-off shoes for going to get mail or do laundry (because you don’t want to walk the dorms barefoot these days) and bonus points if they can double as comfortable ‘nice’ shoes such as cheap loafers, TOMS, basic flats, etc. One flip flops or sandals if you’ll be using communal showers and bathrooms. And one pair of boots that can double as rainboots AND snowboots (duckboots are great for this!) You don’t need heels, wedges, or multiple pairs/styles of shoes for the same reason you don’t need multiple dresses or a full tuxedo - you’re not going anywhere this year! Or at least you shouldn’t! Parties, formals, conferences, etc. are all a terrible idea unless you want COVID-19.
What you should have multiples of are masks and gloves! Have a few reusable face masks you can wash (RedBubble has them in every style, almost every clothing brand sells them, and VogMask/Camridge Mask are great options for something a little more heavy duty). Invest in disposable gloves and one pair of reusable gloves such as dish gloves. Some basic eye protection doesn’t hurt either - i love blue light glasses because they provide some coverage while also being great for reducing eye strain during all your Zoom calls!
SUPPLIES
Keep it basic, and that means you too studyblr kids! You don’t want supplies to take up all your space. Buy a spacious pencil case. Buy a basic back of black Bic pens and put 10-15 in. Those things last forever. Put in 5 presharpened pencils and 5 unsharpened pencils. Bring a pencil sharpener, 1 pink eraser, and 10 eraser toppers. The eraser always runs out before the pencil does. Pack 1-2 glue-sticks, 1 pair of good scissors. Fill the rest of it with your non-essential favorites like mildliners, highlighters, felt tip pens, markers etc. But no more than what can fit in the case. And nothing too expensive, just in case you can’t bring it with you.
Small multi-subject notebooks y’all!! Just get one or two. You never use as many pages as you think you will in your notebooks and multiple full size notebooks are a pain to carry and pack. For my last two years of college i would buy 1 or 2 Five Star 5x7 inch notebooks with 5 subjects for each term. They came with pocket folders inside and i never once used all the pages. i’d often re-use at least one from last term into the next term. It also means you never have to run back for a notebook if you’re at the library and want to do homework for that other class because all your notes for all your classes are right there!!
Bring 2 rolls of scotch tape and 1 roll of masking tape in case you need to repair anything. Pack any essential medication you take, a first aid kit with bandaids, wipes, tweezers, etc. Pack 1 small bottle each of ibuprofen, Tylenol or acetaminophen, any multi-vitamin you prefer, and a vitamin C supplement to help keep your immune system strong.
1 pack of pads/tampons. You can buy more when you get to school, save the space for packing.
1 reusable water bottle. Buy plastic ones periodically/accept reusable free ones given to you at school that you can take if you need to go to the doctor/hospital/etc. so you can throw them away if needed afterwards. 1 mug, if you use one. Make it one you’re willing to leave behind if you must.
1 small set of non-breakable plates/bowls and utensils. i like the Ikea KALAS ones because they’re plastic but can be microwaved or put in the dishwasher. And it’s $2 for a set of 6. 1 small set of tupperware - again IKEA has some good cheap options - that is also microwave safe. You’ll want these solely in the event it’s unsafe to eat in the dining halls. This will let you bring food back to your room and eat, save leftovers from the dining hall or takeout orders, etc. Buy a small bottle of dish soap when you get to school to be able to wash your dishes.
If you use liquid detergent, wait to buy until you’re at school. It takes up more space. If you use detergent pods, choose your own adventure. Buy your shampoo and conditioner at school if you can, same with soap. Same thing with toilet paper, paper towels, and so on. Buy it there, be prepared to leave it behind. Do bring hand sanitizer with you though. Keep a small size in your personal item for your travels and always keep some in your bag at school.
2 disposable toothbrushes, 1-2 tubes toothpaste, 2 toothbrush travel cases. Store the toothbrush you’re using in a travel case while at school to try to prevent contamination. If you become sick, throw your toothbrush away once you’re feeling better and thoroughly wash your travel case. Buy new disposable toothbrushes as needed once at school.
A small wallet or zip ID case with a lanyard. Make sure you can fit your state ID/driver’s license, student ID, transit card, insurance card, credit/debit card, and a little cash in it with ease. One with a clear window is great because you can put your student ID in it to easily show it when required without needing to open your wallet up. A lanyard makes it harder to lose and lets you put your keys on it if you have a physical dorm key.
Your phone charger, with a wall plug. And a mobile charger of some kind (many schools give them away at some point during your first few weeks, orientation, etc. TAKE THEM). You don’t need an Apple branded one, you can find sturdy and cheap ones at Target, etc. You’ll want these in case you get stranded anywhere. And you’ll especially want these because if you need to go to the ER/doctor, you never want to let your phone die while you’re there.
1 cheap tote bag or small backpack or knapsack, etc. that you’re not too attached to. This will be your hospital go-bag. Keep a mini-notebook with your name/birthdate, emergency contact information, relevant medical information, etc. written in it in the event you cannot communicate this yourself. Keep one packed and ready. Other helpful things to have in this bag once you’re at school are a pair of shorts, a t-shirt and underwear; a granola bar, and a disposable water bottle.
1 pair of cheap but reliable headphones, ideally with a microphone. In-ear headphones take up less space than over-ear headphones. These will be great if you’re on a Zoom call or something and don’t want to be heard by your neighbors. Also great for listening to music or podcasts in the event you’re at the doctor/hospital, because just like you never want to forget a phone charger, you never want to be without something to listen to while you wait for a few hours.
DORM STUFF
Now is NOT the time to decorate your dorm. i’m sorry, i love a good Pinterest dorm board and DIY project as much as anyone else. My dorm had a whole aesthetic. It was great. But it was a nightmare to pack up when COVID hit.
All you really need is a duvet/comforter, 1 set of sheets (ideally dark color so they won’t stain, just make sure you wash them regularly), and 1 pillow.
If you want stuff on your walls, don’t bring anything. When you get to school, you’ll likely get some free swag like a college pennant you can put up. Or at the least you’ll get a bunch of papers and maps and things. Hang up the maps. Make them look cool. Draw or do calligraphy on the blank sides of the papers for DIY art and signs. Order a wall calendar with fun art or images on it. Go to Walgreen’s website and use their photo system to order a bunch of photo prints. They almost always have a discount offer happening which makes it super cheap. You can upload photos of your friends and family to surround yourself with nice memories, or upload pictures of art, landscapes, quotes, images you found on Pinterest, your celebrity crush, and literally anything else. Voila, wall decorations.
The key here is to never put up too many things. Everything you put up should be able to be taken down in 15 minutes or less and without any help.
If you really really want some decoration - buy a cheap thing of string lights from Target or something to put up. They add ambiance without much effort and don’t take up too much space. If your room is freezing with concrete floors, a small rug can help if you really think you need one. But - and you already know what i’m gonna say - BUY THEM THERE AND BE READY TO LEAVE THEM BEHIND.
No chairs. No hammocks. No lamps. No furniture. No bulletin boards. No extra bookshelves. Keep it as simple as possible.
The caveat is to bring one small grounding item from home. Maybe it’s a souvenir from a vacation you took. A mug your mom got you. A framed photo of your best friends. Choose one, and make sure it is small.
BOOKS, ETC.
Buy your class books once you get there, either from the campus bookstore, a local bookstore, ThriftBooks, Amazon (if you really must), etc. Or download them online ;) Either way, they’ll take up space while going to school so just get them later unless you have to do reading in advance.
As a book lover it pains me to say this but leave your books at home. Bring at most 4 books with you to school. i’d recommend at least one you haven’t read yet and at least one that’s a “comfort” book you like to reread. Books are one of the hardest things to move and you won’t have that much free time anyways.
Pick one hobby to pack for, and keep it basic. If you like drawing, make it 1 small sketchbook and a mini-pack of colored pencils, markers, watercolors, or crayons. If it’s photography, make it 1 single camera with 1 lens. If you like gaming, bring something small like a Switch lite. If you need a hobby to keep you busy inside, grab yourself a pair of wooden/bamboo knitting needles or a crochet hook, 1 ball of yarn, and go wild. The bottom line is only what you absolutely have to have to not lose your mind.
Have 1 large (32 GB or more) flash drive or SD card to back up your files from your laptop or tablet onto. This will be a huge help in the event something happens to your computer.
Finally, always have a plan with friends/family in the event you need to evacuate. How will you decide if you need to leave? How will you get home/to a safe place? Who will help you get there? How will you afford it? And so on.
Feel free to add anything tips that might be useful!
anyone heading back to school in the US to live on a college campus for the fall semester should uhhhhhhhhhhhh pack light and have a plan to get the hell out of dodge at a moment’s notice
this sounds jokey but i’m dead serious. if you plan on living on a college campus this fall please know that there is no amount of cleaning or “distancing” will keep COVID out of the school. these schools know that they are risking your life and the lives of their faculty by bringing people back on campus but they want your money more than they care if you live.
think about how unventilated dorm rooms are. think about how you somehow have a cold for 4 months straight at school. think about how fast the flu moves through a dorm. think about how foolish people act at when they’re drunk with friends. all it takes is one get together where 5 people remove their masks to play kings cup and the whole school is fucked.
you need a plan now. you need to pack light so you can leave quickly if necessary. you need to work out now how you will get home in the event that you need to be off campus immediately. if by some miracle you’re still there by october you can cross that bridge when you come to it. but you need to make a plan now.
THIS!! Especially if you’re an incoming student - change the way you pack and your plans for packing. This is NOT the year to bring a bunch of decorations, drawers, etc. Bring only the essentials. Make sure you can fit everything into a few suitcases. Have things you’re willing to leave behind.
Since Orientation Week isn’t happening in the traditional sense, i’m planning to make a post with all of the advice i would usually give out to my residents, having survived 4 years (and 4 O-Weeks!) at UChicago myself. You’ll also get the unfiltered version now that i’m not an RA lol. i have some things planned but if you’re an incoming student and have any specific questions you want answered, feel free to ask me them and i will include them in my post!
hihi brand-new maroon here! im interested in either a history grad program or law school atm, & i was just wondering what matters most in those applications? & how do they view gpa, esp from uc? its a lil shallow maybe but id like to go to a prestigious grad school bc that tends to matter in academia, & i want to figure out what grades/experiences i should be working toward
Welcome to the UChicago community!!!
So GPA matters - you’re going to want to do your best of course! Maintaining a 3.2-3.5 is an important range to stay in at UChicago and above that you’re golden. A lot of places do realize UChicago has grade deflation, a super unforgiving Core, etc. But they don’t just want grades - they want to see a breadth and depth of experiences and involvement in relevant activities and leadership! So find RSOs and experiences that you love and get involved! Explore opportunities to learn and grow outside of the classroom. For law school, things like undergrad law review, the Pozen Center for Human Rights, moot court, Amnesty International, and more are good examples.
Here’s the thing i’ve also learned though - don’t spend all your time focusing on what’s next. Work hard to meet your goals but don’t forget to enjoy the experience you’re having now, and be open to your plans changing as you go through life!
hi! im a hs senior headed to uchicago (but im class of 2025 bc i deferred admission lol). i was just wondering, do u have any tips for first-years at uchi?
Oh goodness. So many things i could say but here’s some unconventional advice for first years:
Don’t stress about making friends. You’re gonna find your people eventually, but the odds that you find them during your first week, your first class, your first quarter, etc. is extremely low. Say hi to everyone, make small talk, but don’t force anything. i didn’t meet most of my best and dearest friends until the end of first year, the start of second, and even into third/fourth year! It’s gonna feel lonely for a little bit but it won’t forever.
For the love of all good things, pack some decorations. Some art. Some flowers. Some posters. SOMETHING. You’ll spend a lot of time in your dorm room and the more like yours, like home it feels, the more comfortable you’ll be. On a related note, don’t overpack clothes. Pack what you need for autumn and winter, have a nice parka ready (you don’t need a Canada Goose, but an investment in a sturdy, warm coat like this one is one of best investments you can make for a Chicago winter. My coat has held up through four years of winters, several CTA trips, packing and unpacking, and more.
You only get to do this once and it’s going to go so fast. Do your best in classes, but realize your college experience is so much more than that. So much of what i have learned here is from conversations with friends, house trips, RSO meetings, activist rallies and protests, and more. Don’t forget to keep learning outside of the classroom.
You DON’T need to know your major. Honestly, explore the course catalog often, talk to your Core profs, RAs, and older housemates about their departments/majors and don’t be afraid to explore an elective to see if you’d like it or not! i thought for sure i wanted to be a psychology major but couldn’t be happier in Comparative Human Development.
The South Side is not dangerous, the UCPD is not your friend, and public transit is amazing. Hyde Park is a small part of this beautiful community we’re a part of and you’ll have a much better time in Chicago if you actually explore the city you’re in. Go to Chinatown (Ming Hin has the best dim sum imo), Uptown (so many good pho places), South Shore (Majani’s vegan soul food is incredible), and everywhere else. Walk to the lake. Take all the CTA lines. Go to art shows and museums. Be a part of this city, and make it your home.
Well uh seeing as though my senior spring is cancelled (as is my graduation), i have some free time now, so i’ll open up my inbox to any admitted students or prospies with questions about UChicago if you’re having any trouble deciding & can’t visit campus!
Or ask me anything about my experience here i guess?
One of the few things i have done all 4 years of college is attend the Pozen Center’s Human Rights Internship Symposium. To get to present today felt so fill-circle & a little bittersweet. i’m so lucky to have been a Pozen Intern & to have found a space that lets me thrive at UChicago
I'm about to enter my last year of high school. Do you have any tips to get through the year?
First of all, try to enjoy it! This is your last year with your friends from home, being a high schooler, doing all of your usual things. Take it in because there will be things you will look back on & miss.
Second, remind yourself over & over that college decisions don’t define your life & future. You will still have a cool experience, make great friends, get a good job, & be an amazing human whether or not you get into your dream school. It feels like the biggest thing in the world but i promise you’re still a valid, brilliant, talented, worthy human regardless of where you do or don’t get in!!
Third, balance life. Work hard but play hard too! It’s your last chance to try out for that school play or join a club or play or a sports team or start a weekly tradition with friends. Get your apps in by deadlines, keep studying but know when to set the books aside & enjoy something fun while it lasts.
And finally when the going gets rough, when school sucks or if things are hard at home, remember that a year from now you will be in a whole new world. Hang on. Your now is not your forever.
I’m looking for a little distraction from my LSAT prep & school starts soon so - ask me anything! i have 3 years of life at UChicago & in the city, an decent amount of experience in human rights & the social sciences, & 22 years as a person to my name so ask away & i’ll do my best to answer!
