Hey guys and gals, as the 2011-2012 school year is quickly approaching some of us first years are getting ready for the move to residence. What advice could you give us when it comes to what to bring and what not to. I know that Mac sent a package with this stuff in it but it was the basic stuff like beddings etc.

What are those random things that you wouldnt really think of right away, like my friend told me to pack a kettle so i can make a cup of coffee whenever I need some without leaving the room.


Anything's appreciated, thanks !

Originally Posted by davied

Hey guys and gals, as the 2011-2012 school year is quickly approaching some of us first years are getting ready for the move to residence. What advice could you give us when it comes to what to bring and what not to. I know that Mac sent a package with this stuff in it but it was the basic stuff like beddings etc.

What are those random things that you wouldnt really think of right away, like my friend told me to pack a kettle so i can make a cup of coffee whenever I need some without leaving the room.


Anything's appreciated, thanks !

Here's the check list I made last year:

http://www.macinsiders.com/showthrea... ghlight=List

Thanks sooo much this is exactly what I was looking for.

... but i feel dumb that I didnt find this thread before I started a new one lol

umm also you cant use your kettle in the room sorry :(

Originally Posted by DMe3

umm also you cant get caught using your kettle in the room sorry :(

fixed that for ya

With the rates of fires in residence, it's really dangerous to everybody else to use appliances with heating elements in your room. So yes, you might think that you can just "not get caught" but you could also burn your own room down. Accidents happen a lot more than you think.

Also, if you live closer to Hamilton (ie Guelph, Sauga, etc), then you can bring all the necessary living essentials (bedding, some clothing, computer, books) and not everything all at once. Then as you go home during the school year, you can slowly bring more stuff as necessary (ie winter clothing, interior decor, etc). This will make moving much easier as you will have less stuff to move in.
However, if you live kinda far (Kingston, London, St. Catherines) this may not be so feasible.

Originally Posted by djRAIN

Also, if you live closer to Hamilton (ie Guelph, Sauga, etc), then you can bring all the necessary living essentials (bedding, some clothing, computer, books) and not everything all at once. Then as you go home during the school year, you can slowly bring more stuff as necessary (ie winter clothing, interior decor, etc). This will make moving much easier as you will have less stuff to move in.
However, if you live kinda far (Kingston, London, St. Catherines) this may not be so feasible.

That is something I'll be doing (moving over the school year xD).

Originally Posted by goodnews.inc

With the rates of fires in residence, it's really dangerous to everybody else to use appliances with heating elements in your room. So yes, you might think that you can just "not get caught" but you could also burn your own room down. Accidents happen a lot more than you think.

How is the school okay with allowing flat irons which reach 210 degrees Celsius, while kettles boil at a cooler temperature? Unless flat irons are banned, but I have yet to see a horde of angry girls ranting.

Originally Posted by jen-power

How is the school okay with allowing flat irons which reach 210 degrees Celsius, while kettles boil at a cooler temperature? Unless flat irons are banned, but I have yet to see a horde of angry girls ranting.

most flat irons (at least all i have had so far) do have auto shut-off. I imagine most kettles would have this too! but you make a good point!

The University is ok with it for the following reasons.

1) Their lawyer has pointed out the possible liability yet.
2) One hasn't caused damage yet.
3) No one has thought about it and said "Yeah it should be banned"

If one of those things happen, I'm sure it will end up banned.

Originally Posted by arathbon

The University is ok with it for the following reasons.

1) Their lawyer has pointed out the possible liability yet.
2) One hasn't caused damage yet.
3) No one has thought about it and said "Yeah it should be banned"

If one of those things happen, I'm sure it will end up banned.

If hair straighteners are banned McMaster will become an all-boys school lol.

bring a mini fan, slippers ( you need that in the bathroom）, some of your posters to stick on the wall. Use bags to carry your clothes instead of using luggage bag..coz you don't really have enough room to store it after you unpack everything.

Originally Posted by jen-power

How is the school okay with allowing flat irons which reach 210 degrees Celsius, while kettles boil at a cooler temperature? Unless flat irons are banned, but I have yet to see a horde of angry girls ranting.

Yes, water boils at a lower temperature, and I agree that if there was an accident involving a flat iron people would look into that.

I don't know all the rationale behind the argument and won't say I do but here's my guess:

With kettles, you're boiling a decent amount of water that can spill and cause water damage, burn through other things, etc.

With things like rice cookers, you have the chance of "overcooking" and the same problem with spills, etc. If you use oil in your rice cookers, that's another problem as well.

I have seen some damage from flat irons left on in residence, but they can't really spill over. Also, the other comments are right, that's a lot harder to regulate and its tough to draw a line. I.e. hair dryers vs straightening irons, etc. Banning cookware with heating elements is a lot easier.

So in short: I don't know.
It's a good point to bring up but would be met with a good amount of backlash.
I imagine that cookware is considered "a gateway heating element". I.e. a kettle today, a coffeemaker tomorrow, a rice cooker on Thursday and suddenly a bunch of heating appliances.

I hypothesize that its just easier.
But I can't say.

Originally Posted by jhan523

Here's the check list I made last year:

http://www.macinsiders.com/showthrea... ghlight=List

it says to bring a Casio FX-991MS Calculator, is that the only kind we're allowed to use? or is that like the recommended one?