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My sister was just talking about me going away to college in two years, so I was wondering... did anyone take their doll(s) to college, are you planning to or are they at college with you right now? How many dolls did you bring? Personally I couldn't stand 4 years away from them all and I'll have a hard time choosing from the at least 14 I'll have by then!!
Samantha and Felicity lived in my dorm room last year and Jess and Anna are my currernt dorm dolls. I was worried about having dolls in my dorm room the first two years. I was nervous that they might get stolen and thought I might seem nerdy, but got over it. I wouldn't take all fourteen though, because space is probably going to be an issue in any dorm room. Two is enough for me, though an apartment would probably afford more space.
The only reason my other dolls didn't come back to my dorm room this year was that it would have been a pain schlepping them all here from their current residence on the west coast, but the void has been filled by my two new dolls. I still feel a tiny bit self-conscious, but reaction toward the dolls has all been positive. My roommate and passersby thought it was cool that I had my dolls on campus, and my friends like seeing the new things I get for them or when I change their outfits for the seasons. Even my boyfriend tolerates my obsession in the same manner that I tolerate his video game and rpg obsession, lol, which is completely contrary to silly warnings from my stepmom. Girls bring all kinds of stuffed animals with them to school, so why not dolls, too?
For the most part, college is pretty laid back, so just about anything goes, and there are so many people that you'll find it easy to choose to simply not interact with the few who might be obnoxious. No offense to anyone who is a Greek, but the only place where one tends to hear any complaints of cattiness and bad attitudes that the rest of us had the sense to leave behind in high school tends to be in sororities, though that also seems to be pretty infrequent.
IMO, it shows a measure of self confidence to show that you are not afraid to display what you enjoy for others' possible judgement.
Also, I can probably get away with having the dolls a little easier than others since one of my majors is History, with an emphasis on the Colonial/Revolutionary and Progressive eras of Felicity and Samantha. Jess's story incorporates my interest in archaeology, and my Anna is going to star in her own stories incorporating this region's history. Plus, I have been involved in both Revolutionary and Civil War re-enactment and love doing costuming for both humans and dolls. So, my dolls also kind of serve as my inspiration.
The only negative experience I have had with my dolls in college is when a makeshift milk-crate shelf fell off of my wall and took out Felicity and her stand from the top of a bookcase below on its way to the ground. Fortunately, Felicity was only slightly shaken and dissheveled from the fall, though the same could not be said for her stand, which got bent. This was through nothing but my own irresponsibility. So, basically, just watch where you put things. It's not terribly smart to put a valuable doll at the mercy of makeshift shelves that may fall from above at any minute. Just keep her in a relatively safe spot and your doll should be fine.
It is best to leave small accessories at home though, as they are the most likely to get lost. Samantha must have dropped her little purse with her handkerchief and penny sometime during the year or during packing at the end, because it has not been seen since.
If theft is what concerns you most: make sure that you do not display your doll within close proximity to a door. Lock your room when leaving it unoccupied. (okay, most of us cheat this rule if it's just a quick run to the bathroom, but that's at our own risk! this is why leaving stuff right next to the door is an especially bad idea, since it makes it easy to grab and run) And, maybe wait to display your doll until the chaos of the first few weeks of the semester are over and you are more familiar with the trustworthiness of your particular roommate/s and the security of your living situation.
And, if you do get an apartment and, in this hypothetical situation, if you are 21 and decide to host parties at said apartment, you might want to find a place to keep the dolls where they cannot be accidentally damaged. You don't have to worry about it in dorms, but I'd also be concerned about having an apartment with a roommate who smokes if the building does not require them to do so outside.
People here in Central Pennsylvania are incredibly nice, so it could be that I am just lucky and/or naiive, but I have never had a problem with the fact that I have brought my dolls to campus. Just make sure that you bring their wire wig brush with you.
Oh, and try to avoid the temptation to spend hours buying more doll things and looking for items on ebay all the time. That can eat up your time and textbook funds. Basically, all things in moderation. Get work done first. Yes, do as I say, not as I do. (although I'm just taking a break now, really I am!) [img]wink.gif[/img]
please excuse the novel, but I hope I helped!
(Edited for a glaring spelling error)
<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ May 01, 2006 06:23 PM: Message edited by: jerseycow6 ]</font>
Short Answer:
Yes, I bring my dolls to college.
Long Answer:
They'd been in storage for awhile so freshman year, I didn't bring any, but I missed them. So, so much. I dug them all out that summer, proudly displaying them.
So Sophomore year, I decided I could still leave them and not miss them, but I was wrong. The first time I went home, I brought Lissie back up with me and again for Junior year (the one that just finished) but then she was lonely and so was I so I bought Sam. And then they were both lonely and the others hadn't met sam So I went home in September and brough them all up, further ensuring that I am lost to the world of AG.
If support is what you're worried about, I have three apartment-mates (my own bedroom) and they all humor me whenever I get a new catalog and a few hours of mooning over that and the once a month when I completely take over the living room to change them all. More recently, they've started telling me what I should put each one in, even telling me to go out of the time periods. And for my "long project" they have been a great help in consultation as to who would best be what superhero. And, we're sort of planning a trip to Chicago and they know a trip to AGPC is essential.
I have been incredibly lucky though. I love my roomies.
I really like having them with me though, they're a nice touch of home.
<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ May 01, 2006 06:31 PM: Message edited by: supernonamegirl ]</font>
I took one with me when I lived in the dorm freshman year, two with me the next year and then when I moved into my apartment junior year all of them came with me.
Mostly the repsonse I got from girls in the dorm was "OH I love american girls" and then they'd name their favorite.
The only reason I'd say not to take the whole collection (if you have a large one) is space. Two or three is probably good.
I am in a very small dorm room, and I have 12 dolls here, and one more on the way. [img]redface.gif[/img] Did I mention that I have my sewing machine etc. here too? yeah. My poor roommate next year! [img]biggrin.gif[/img] (My current roommate is graduating in a few days).
I lived in a college dorm for a few months last semester. I was just getting back into AGs then and didn't bring any to my dorm. I found myself really regretting not bringing any of my dolls with me. I'm back living at home now for a while with all my dolls displayed and if I do end up in another dorm, they would definitely be with me!
Last year I only had Felicity and as she is my first, I didn't want her getting stolen or hurt or anything (well that I wasn't fully into AGs at that point, but the board helped rekindle my love for them [img]biggrin.gif[/img] so Susie also stayed home when I got her for Christmas. But I was feeling lonely so I bought Kirsten and then Kirsten needed a sister with her, so I bought Kaya and Hannah (BB) and then Samantha came but she is for my mom for Mother's Day. But I love having them with me. I will probably keep it to 2 or 3 a year with me, so if I want to buy one or two this coming school year, I'll probably just bring one back. I also get positive responses from passers-by and friends. My roommate jokes about hurting my dolls, but she would never do it nd she knows if she did, she would have to pay me what a brand new doll costs. But now I know I could never live the school year without at least one of my girls. I have a drawer for my girls' stuff that I cought with them (meet accessories) and I bought a tin lunchbox to be a suitcase for them so their stuff fits in that, but I also agree with not bringing a lot of accessories.
I have brought Kirsten to my American Musical Theatre class when we watch the musicals on DVD/VHS at times. Normally I bring her in a backpack and take her out in the class. Nobady has said anything bad so far, but even if someone does, it doesn't matter. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and just remember there are plenty of college girls who collect AGs and bring them to college.
I don't live in a dorm but I do live in a very small studio apartment(that could be a dorm). I am in college and I live off campus(I go to a 4-year commuter college). Anyways, I didn't get into AG(or even know about it) until I was in my 20s and now I have 15 18in dolls on 2 high shelves, and all the books. AG got me into reading which was something I never liked to do. I was especially thrilled that Samantha, Kit and Molly helped me get an A in history. I like reading the books when I don't want to deal with schoolwork.
A few years ago when I did go away to school and live in a dorm I began to accumulate tons of Beanie Babies which began to pile up in my dorm. Now they take up an entire small bedroom in my mom's house. I plan to sell them eventually, probably when my mom moves.
Thank you so much for asking that question! I am leaving for college this fall and I was wondering it myself. Now I may bring one of my dolls with me and have the other one stay at my grandparent's house (which will be my official Virginia residence.) Woohoo! I won't be a complete nerd. Just a geek. Just as well that I'm going to a women's college where there will be a greater possibility of finding like minded individuals.
That's so cool! Make sure to show pictures from the project!
Haha, yeah, the trip to AGPC with my friends during a pep band Big Ten Tournament trip to Chicago was definately fun. Don't forget to get Chicago's famous pizza while in the city! That stuff is seriously delicious!!!!
Thanks for your advice! I think I would switch my dolls from year to year too. At least freshman year, my mom wouldn't want me to have all of them at once (she has this thing about "acting my age"... um, no that won't happen), but I could sneak one at a time out with me when I visit home... tee hee. I don't want my sister taking over them so when I move out, they are permanently taking residence in my room. My roomates already have all my Elmos/stuffed animals to deal with though [img]wink.gif[/img]
Hmm... I would probably take the newest one and Sam and Kailey with me when I go at first. I seem to relate with Sam the most and she is a great shoulder to cry on, and Kailey is very witty and amusing. Then again, Kit and Kat are my favorites... though they can be quite shy around strangers sometimes, so they might wait until sophomore year to come. No fun unless they can talk 24/7!!
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">And yet they still whine about how quickly their children grow up...Quote:
Originally posted by Kit, Kat, and Friends:
[my mom] has this thing about "acting my age"...
I go to a school which is considered very snobby. I didn't bring my AGs the first two years, but I had a lot of Batman stuff out, and all anyone ever said was, "Oh, cool, Batman!"
This year I did bring a doll with me--mostly because I have my own apartment. I've had parties and lots of people over, and no one's said anything about the doll on my bookshelf or my other "toys."
I think when most people are actually in your room/dorm/apartment they have the good manners not to say anything nasty because they are guests. Also, in college, a lot of peoples' quirks come out, so you learn not to judge very quickly.
If you're in an all-girls school that may be different. From what I hear, the atmosphere of all-girl colleges tend to be pretty different than normal co-ed colleges, so you'll just have to be confident and secure and ready with a response in case someone says something.
SIDENOTE: Not to scare you, but are you going to have a roommate? If so, I would wait to judge what kind of person that roomie is. My junior year, my roomie went sort of crazy, keying my car, stealing my DVDs, etc. I wound up having to move out early. If I had had my doll around, she probably would have arranged for it to have an "accident" if you know what I mean. I've had 8 roomies total over my college life (in my school they put 4 people in one apartment) and only one crazy one, but I'm not the only girl this has happened to--so just be forewarned. Watch out for signs that your roomie has some moral impairment or mental instabilities.
Never have lived in the dorms - nothing could get me to live in the dorms. [img]confused.gif[/img] Yeah sorry sharing a small room with a complete stranger - no thanks. I have been living in apartments for about 3 years (3-soon-to-be-4 places in 3 years) two times were with a roommate. My first roommate was crazy...
I live in a studio at the moment and brought my Felicity to the studio late last year. heh and since then Josefina and Violet and Sam have joined her. But if I were to live in a dorm I would only have brought Felicity (those rooms are tiny).
I lived in the dorms my first two years of college, and I didn't get back into AG until midway through the second year. So for most of my time in the dorms I didn't have any AG dolls with me. Looking back, I don't know how I survived. [img]wink.gif[/img] Near the end of sophomore year I got Kit, and she lived on my desk until the the end of the year. My roommate and suitemates all thought it was cute that I bought her, and my roommate ended up buying an AG of her own a few months later. [img]smile.gif[/img] Looking back, I don't think my dorm room could have handled much more than one doll. There was just too much stuff packed into a very small space! When I moved into an apartment my junior year, I brought all four of my dolls with me...and by the time I graduated the number had elevated to about 15 dolls living in my bedroom, and I still had plenty of room. If you end up getting an apartment at some point I'm sure you could fit all 14 or so of your dolls with no problem at all. As for the reactions of my peers, I got mostly positive responses to my collection - my closest friends just thought it was funny and were always asking who the newest addition was. The guys I dated just thought of the dolls as a weird "girl thing" and didn't seem to care. College students tend to care much less about what is considered "cool" than high schoolers. At least, the ones I hung out with didn't care.
I brought Samantha with me to college my junior year for the sole reason that I was living on my own that year. The first two years I lived in the dorms and I had absolutely psycho roommates. I don't wanna even GO into the details . . . so if you are living w/someone you don't know, test the waters first. Don't bring something that valuable into a dorm if you have a roommate that might steal/deface/break your valuables, or is irresponsible and leaves your dorm room unlocked. Just be careful!
But let me tell ya, after I had Sam in my room junior year, all my friends loved her and had no issues/nasty comments. Only good responses! I even inspired a couple girls (yes, my sorority sisters!) to bring out their dollies. Doll happiness all around.
Wow. All these dorm stories bring back memories for me, but I can pretty much say I don't miss dorm life at ALL. I was thrilled out of my pants when I could finally move out into an apartment. My dorm roommates were pretty decent and friendly people, but we did have major issues with each other sometimes. Then again, it's pretty hard living with people you don't really know. [img]eek.gif[/img] [img]confused.gif[/img] Yeah...I'm glad those days are way over. I can't believe some people here have had crazy roommates, though. That's scary.
Anyway... Dollies, yes. I was into AG ever since I was a child, but I never wound up getting a doll until after I graduated from college. However, if I had an AG back then, I would like to think I would have brought my doll with me for extra company (as well as sentimental reasons). I might've worried about the doll getting stolen/abused, but it's really up to what kind of people you live with.
I'm also impressed that some people here have managed to bring a bunch of their dolls with them. I nicknamed my dorm rooms "Cement Shoeboxes" because they were so small, and I can't imagine having enough room for so many AG's.
Like a few of you already mentioned, I also didn't get back into AG until my junior year. So, I didn't have an AG in my dorm room. But, looking back, I don't think I would have because of the space and there were plenty of other things I'd rather have with me in the dorm. But, now I live in a good-sized one bedroom apartment and I have Josefina here. She sits on my floor in my bedroom. Molly sits on my bed at home. This way if I go home for the weekend or something I still have a doll to play with somewhere.
Yes, I always had a doll with me at college. I traded them out each time I went home for a visit. They were great company. [img]smile.gif[/img]
I get more negative comments having my dolls at home than having them in my dorm room. My roommate says they keep her company when I am not there. She likes them, and alwasy wanted one when she was little (her parents said they were too expensive). I guess I am lucky she doesn't mind. Four of them live on my bureau (I rotate which four are there) and a few are on the floor in front of my bureau, and some are on my bed, one occasionally stands on my desk.
and two dolls haven't joined us here yet [img]wink.gif[/img]
I didn't have any dolls with me my first year because I lived in a dorm and was worried about their safety. My 2nd-4th years I lived in an apartment on my own, so I always had a doll or two with me. I still think they're safest at home, so the ones I'm most attached to (my pre-Mattels from childhood) stay at home with my parents while my newer AGs, Kit and Annora, stay here with me! I would highly recommend you keep safety in mind if you bring your girls to the dorm. have someplace safe to store them if a lot of people come over for a party. also make sure your roommate(s) will be ok with them. The fact that a lot of people leave their doorm doors open to anyone passing through the hallway isn't exactly ideal if someone leaves your dorm door open to passers-by while you're gone. Other than that I'd highly recommend having at leadt one girl with you at all times. [img]wink.gif[/img] as for my friends, they've all accepted it. as someone else said, everyone's much more accepting of individuality and personal differences in college so none of your friends should have a problem with it. Most have my friends have been interested in them, and my boyfriend in particular seems to think they're pretty cool! In fact, he actually *requested* that I bring some more here next time I go home so he can see more of the dolls! We were watching Chronicles of Narnia last night and I explained Emily to him (the first scene of the movie reminded me of her) and told him he'd be meeting her in a few months. [img]wink.gif[/img]
<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ May 02, 2006 12:48 PM: Message edited by: * amanda ]</font>
I didn't have an American Girl doll until halfway through my freshman year of college. I had a private dorm room and I liked Joanie keeping me company. [img]smile.gif[/img] I was totally paranoid about someone stealing her, however, and always locked my door. The first couple of weeks I had her I was still terrified that someone would break in and steal her (I think because she was my first AG and I had NEVER bought something as expensive as she was). One of my friends had a laptop stolen out of her room which she was sure she locked, so it was kind of scary. Better safe than sorry.
Freshman year was the only time my current friends saw Joanie. None of them have seen Felicity yet. One girl thought that Joanie was sweet and asked to hold her. Another admitted to being a little freaked out by dolls, but decided that a doll with freckles (Joanie is an AG #23)is just fine. [img]smile.gif[/img] She also said that a doll with green eyes would be okay too (so hypothetically Felicity wouldn't bother her either).
When I moved into an apartment during my sophomore year I didn't feel like I had the space for a doll, so neither of the girls were with me.
The summer after sophomore year (last summer)I got both Joanie and Felicity out, had fun changing their clothes, and got them some new things at Target and my first ever trip to an American Girl Place. I am so much happier when I have them around!
This year I have some new roommates and wanted to wait and see what my new place would be like before bringing a doll with me. Slight problem - I can't get home until Thanksgiving! AHH!
I miss my dolls. [img]redface.gif[/img]
Hi Colleen,
I didn't have an AG doll back in college, although I certainly wish I'd indulged in one way back then since she'd be a PM and that would be cool!
But, I did bring my Madame Alexander dolls with me to my dorm room my junior and senior years. I was homesick pretty much the entire first 2 years at college and finally decided that maybe having my dolls would help me feel more at home. So, I brought a rotating group of 5 - 6 dolls with me each semester for the last two years at school. I wish I'd brought them sooner because having the dolls at school totally helped me through some rough moments. Everyone was cool about the dolls, but I also had a single so I wasn't infringing on anyone else's idea of dorm decor!
I would most certainly take a doll or two with you to school--if I had to go back and do college again I would have taken mine from freshman year on. It was fun to rotate the dolls too. Then I felt like each one had a turn and I got to enjoy seeing all of them over a period of time.
One cautionary word through--I did end up expanding my collection while at school because there were several good toy stores within walking distance of my campus and they sold MA's there, so just be prepared for temptation. I'm sure if I'd brought an AG to school with me, the delight of getting a package at school would have been irrestible!
HTH,
Katie