This is the last week of our school year, and with the ending of classes comes the beginning of final exams and moving out. This being said, while current students are focused on moving out of their dorm, incoming Obies are getting excited to move into their dorm next fall. I know I was certainly planning ahead during the summer before college, so I wanted to write a quick blog about what you can expect when you move into your new home next August!
Fridges and microwaves! Oberlin dorm rooms come with just about everything you need already in them: a desk and chair, bed and mattress, and closet. The only thing that is not included is a fridge or microwave. It’s important to note that every dorm will have access to a kitchen that contains a communal fridge and a microwave that is free for all students to use.
I only keep a fridge in my dorm, and I chose to buy my own. I have a storage unit over the summer which makes it convenient to store my fridge over the summer. However, some students prefer to rent a fridge using Bedloft, a service that delivers a rental fridge to your dorm room prior to moving in. This is a great option that avoids the hassle of storing a fridge. It’s important to know that you should rent a fridge before July to guarantee delivery to your room. They sell out incredibly fast so the sooner the better!
Restaurants. Move-in is one of the busiest weeks at Oberlin. Because of this, I would recommend placing a reservation at a restaurant, ordering takeaway, or being smart about the times you chose to eat. Some of my favorite restaurants in town on a reservation basis are Thini Thai and Bistro Bella Luna. It’s also a big time saver to order takeaway at a restaurant, with some of my favorite take-out options being Lorenzo's Pizza and Taco Flavored Kisses. It’s also a smart idea to eat meals a little earlier or later than rush hour just to avoid massive crowds. No move-in at Oberlin is complete without the Feve so I recommend eating there during off hours because it can get packed really fast!
Hotels/Airbnb. Similarly, hotels or airbnbs can fill up really fast. Oftentimes people will reserve places to stay years in advance, so as soon as you commit to Oberlin I would reccomend scouting out hotels or airbnbs around Oberlin. The Hotel at Oberlin is a great central location, with easy walking to any dorm building and lots of resteraunts. My family and I prefer to stay at an Airbnb so we can have access to laundry and more space for hanging out. There are a few really great locations around Oberlin but to reiterate they are snatched up far in advance!
Parking. Most dorms will only offer short-term parking, which makes it incredibly important to consolidate all of your items so that you can bring stuff in as quickly and efficiently as possible. Because of this I recommend bringing a dolly or renting a cart from the Office of Residence Life. Likewise, make sure you check whether or not your dorm has an elevator; that way, you can plan appropriately. I recommend bringing in the largest items first; that way, if you aren’t able to finish before orientation events begin, it’s still pretty easy to bring up small items later on in the day. Another fun tip is to utilize vacuum-sealed bags to store items because it makes it easier to carry and fit more in your luggage!
I hope this helps! Once you go through the process once you’ll become an expert. If you have any further questions or want some more tips, remember that many current students (including all of us at the admissions office!) are happy to help. Hope you’re getting excited for August; we can’t wait to welcome you on campus!
