Supplies to bring to campus

Stony Brook can be a harsh place for the unprepared, in particular for those coming from outside the US, some useful things to consider while packing up are:

Clothes

The weather at Stony Brook by the time you'll be arriving should be quite mild, not too warm or too cold, so bring some light clothes and maybe something a bit warmer, like a hoodie. The weather this time of year can be unpredictable so expect rain and expect occasional heat up to 30C, maybe a little more. It will also be below freezing by the end of the semester so you might want to prepare for that (you can also buy cold-weather clothes here).

Electronics

We all love our electronics, laptops, tablets, cellphones, etc. For those coming from abroad the US electric sockets can be problematic, so make sure your chargers have the right type of contacts or buy the corresponding adapters before coming to the US. An extra cellphone battery can come in handy after the flight.

Other stuff

Now, the most important things, either if you are staying on-campus or not, there are some things you want to make sure to have for your first night:

• Bedding: On-campus housing provides only a bed, no sheets. Similarly off-campus housing might provide even less, as it is common for apartments to be completely unfurnished (the landlord should specify this before you sign the lease). Make sure to bring at least a light bedding set and a pillow.
• Toiletries: Similar story - make sure to bring with you a toothbrush, some toothpaste, a towel, soap and shampoo. This might prove a bit problematic for those traveling by plane, so be creative or find someone to give you a ride to a store on the first day (email sbupgsa@gmail.com if you would like to ask for a ride to a store when you arrive).
• Medicine: If you don't have previous insurance it's important to know that the one provided by Stony Brook University may take some time processing, you know ... bureaucracy ... so if there are some essential medications you need to take make sure to bring a basic supply.
• Food: Grocery stores are not very convenient, so it's a good idea to bring some food, at least for the first night and morning.

Packing

When packing, keep in mind that stores at Stony Brook are quite far away, so make sure to bring everything you need for at least a couple of days.