On August 30, groups of first-year students and their parents descended upon Williams and East Halls at the University of Redlands for new student move-in day. As freshman-specific dorms, Williams and East are home to up to 40 percent of the University’s first-year population,* so we headed there to talk to new students and ask, “What is the most important personal item you brought along with you for your first year of college?”
Here are some of their answers:
“The most important thing I brought is my Rainbow flip-flops.”
—Daven Martinez
Solvang, California
“My juggling equipment.”
—Spencer Dykstra
Annapolis, Maryland
“Probably my bedding, because I just slept on the bare bed last week for First-Year Journeys!”
—Annalyssa Sassara
Portland, Oregon
“My refrigerator, for food.”
—Arturo Martinez Jr.
San Jose, California
“Pictures of my friends and family to keep them in my memory.”
—Lauren Blankenhorn
Napa, California
“My PlayStation.”
—Everette Malchow
Black Mountain, North Carolina
“I would say my decorations, because they help me feel more at home.”
—Delaney Robertson
San Jose, California
“The most important thing I brought is probably my pictures.”
—Heaven Rivera
Redlands, California
“My laptop.”
—John Nelson
Parker, Colorado
“I brought a chair.”
—Karina Lanning
Cupertino, California
“The most important thing is probably my phone.”
—Seth King (his brother, Ethan, is in the photo)
Oakland, California
“The most important thing would probably be my laptop.”
—Brenden Pantaleo
Redlands, California
“My coffee maker.”
—Kinsey Chapman
Sammamish, Washington
“My phone charger.”
—Lauren Burke
Seattle, Washington
“Probably pictures of my friends.”
—Shayna Hallman
Seattle, Washington
* In addition to Williams and East Halls, housing options for first-year students at the University of Redlands include: Fairmont Hall, a community focusing on social justice and service; the Johnston Complex, where students are dedicated to facilitating their own learning environment and making decisions by consensus; Melrose Hall, a group of students who have opted to live in an environment with extended quiet hours; Merriam Hall, an environmentally conscious community that combines sustainable practices with outdoor appreciation; and North Hall, where students focus on knowledge and citizenship in the global environment. Learn more about U of R Residence Life and Housing.
