Tips for Move In Days

What should you know and look for to?

College is supposed to be an exciting time; yes this year is going to be different and unconventional with the restrictions of the pandemic. For the incoming freshman or the transfer students coming into the university, these next two or four years will change your life. Only if you make the best of your time there. Join athletics, RSO’s ( Student Organizations), Greek Life, or open up and be comfortable and confident. Find a place that you feel like yourself and don’t worry there are other people that are just like you. Nervous, scared to make friends, and want to fit into a forever group of friends or family. A home away from home.

Move-In Days are an experience in itself. It’s when a young adult turns a chapter in their book of life. It’s where parents let their pride and joy/ little bird leave to nest and roam free. It’s where the scared and introvert cub turns into a social butterfly.

“Don’t let fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game.”

Babe Ruth

GET INVOLVED! MAKE FRIENDS & MEMORIES!

RSOs: (At SIUC at least)

• Greek Life
• InterVarsity
• Clubs
• Photogensis
• Alt News
• Intramurals
• etc…

Different colleges and universities have different clubs and resident student organizations within the school. It’s a great way to meet new people, get out of your comfort zone/box (no pun intended), and it will also bring the introvert out of their shell a bit. I know that on Southern Illinois University- Carbondale campus doing move-in week and the first weeks of school there are called Saluki Start-Up and Weeks of Welcome. The RSOs are sitting around campus with information for you about what is to come and what the organization is about.

The Ultimate Guide to Preparing for Move-In Days!!

Move In Day Tips:

• Bring a few water bottles and some snacks. Moving in is surprisingly exhausting, and if you have a long drive to your campus, you’ll definitely need some food to get by. If you’re moving somewhere hot, even one trip from your car to your dorm will leave you thirsty!

• Remember anything you were told to bring by your RA or school, as a school ID. It’s usually required for getting your key!

• Be patient and stay calm. Nobody really knows what they’re doing, or where anything is, and everyone will be just as stressed as you. Go in knowing that, and your day will be much smoother!

• Disinfect everything. Who knows how well the last person in your room cleaned up, if at all. Wipe down the sink, desk, chair, fridge, microwave, basically the whole room.

• Wear something comfy! Nobody is going to look cute lugging five bags up the stairs, I promise. Sneakers are a must and just dress for the temperature from there.

• Try not to bring more than three people with you. It’ll be hard to fit any more than that in your room, and more people just mean more space taken up in the car.

• Take pictures! Despite how stressful things might get, this is still a pretty big moment in your life, so don’t get so overwhelmed that you forget to enjoy it. Take before and after pictures, selfies, and all the embarrassing pictures your family insists on getting.

• Don’t try to make everything perfect on day one. Spend a few days adjusting things until it feels right.

Miscellaneous:

• A first aid kit is a total necessity. Bring basics like allergy meds, cough medicine, stomachache reliever, pain reliever, and any other medications you tend to use at some time of the year. Throw in some bandages too.
• Bring shower shoes or flip flops!! You don’t want to be walking around the community bathroom with no shoes on or in the shared bathroom with your suitemate. A shower caddy is a must too.
• Laundry hamper. Some universities have their laundry machines in the basement of the dorms or across campus at the bottom of the dining hall.
• Bring an extra blanket! You can’t change the way the room temperature is fixed.
• For the interviews and career fairs, have a business-casual outfit in your closet.

Have fun and make memories to last a lifetime with stories to tell your kids and grand-kids, someday!

If you think something is missing from this list, feel free to let me know in the comments!

All the love,

Cheyenne