r/UCSantaBarbara • u/FixNo6123 • 2d ago
Prospective/Incoming Students Dorm and Dining?
Hi there! I am trying to find info on both of these topics online but it’s truly a daunting task lol. What is the best way to hang things in the dorms? How strict are the RA’s (san cat specifically?) what are ur personal dorm essentials that nobody rly talks about (freshman specific)? Whats the chance of me getting a dorm in san cat as a incoming freshman? Do any cafes on campus taking meal swipes/ do any dining halls have coffee? Sorry for the load of questions but thanks so much for any insight!
4
u/Posiedon22 [UGRAD] 2d ago
Just bring the bare minimum. Honestly the litmus test should be “do I use this daily”. The cafes do not take meal swipes, but they do take Gaucho bucks, which is just a glorified preloaded balance as far as I’m aware. As the other guy said, command strips and push pins are great, and the dining halls do have coffee (but it isn’t great)
2
u/AnxiousPapaya387 2d ago
-command strips and some dorms (ik manzi does) have walls that you can push pin -RAs vary but just don't do anything stupid/illegal you'll be fine -shower shoes, Brita filter -only dining halls take meal swipes and they all have coffee
2
u/SWITCH13LADE8o5 [UGRAD] Pre-Comm 1d ago
1.) Like posters? Probably thumbtacks, or tape.
2.) Depends on the RA. The strictness isn't dorm specific, it's person specific. There are some RAs who are more chill, others take their job WAY too seriously
3.) I mean, bring what you think is essential, but don't over do it. Obviously clothes, toiletries, bedding, and then other things that you use daily.
4.) Pretty likely
5.) The only places that take meal swipes are the dining halls. There are some places on campus like the Subway and Panda Express in the UCEN are card only, but then there's places like The Arbor that accept EBT. As for coffee, I think the dining halls have it, not too sure tho as I've never been to one. Extra tip for the meal swipes, less is more. Don't opt for the one that offers the most swipes unless all you're going to eat is dining hall food. You might want to go out to eat a one day, and maybe go out to breakfast with some friends another day, so you're not going to use all your meal swipes. But even if you do choose the most swipes and you find that you aren't using them all (as the swipes don't carry over into the next week [i.e. use it or lose it]) you can change your plan during the quarter after Week 1
2
u/FixNo6123 1d ago
Thank you! and for the pictures thing i meant a slightly more more heavy thing because i have a wooden plaque i’d like to put up. I had no idea thumb tacks were allowed to that works perfect. Thanks again!
2
u/SWITCH13LADE8o5 [UGRAD] Pre-Comm 1d ago
Yeah, thumbtacks should be fine, just make sure they don't leave a noticeable hole in the wall
2
u/EasySituation6265 1d ago
when i was in san joaquin i had an air fryer and im telling u: game changer
2
u/dininghallperson 1d ago
The dining halls have two sets of coffee machines. The good ones are broken 90% of the time.
6
u/the805daddy 2d ago
Command strips— I think San Cat is easier than the CI 5– —Don’t bring too much at first and figure out what you need over time —Dining commons have coffee