Are you excited yet!? I know my students are heading back this weekend, so you probably aren't far behind. Do you think you're ready?
Last week, we focused on packing and being prepared. This week I want to provide some helpful tips for move-in day, so we can keep it as stress free as possible.
1) Move in early, if possible.
I always contacted Residence Life to see if I could move in a few days early. This way, you are beating the rush. It will be easier for you to move in with less people around. If you are unable to move in that early, arrive at the earliest time available in the morning. I know this is challenging, especially if your home is far way from school (mine were four hours apart), but it will be worth it.
2) Utilize moving assistance.
Many colleges have moving bins or carts for students & parents to use when moving into the dorm. These will lessen your trips to your room. I lived on the sixth floor and the elevator broke EVERY year on move-in day from overuse. Trust me, the lesser the trips you can get everything upstairs, the better.
3) Pick sides.
If you are the first person there, you have first dibs on which side you want to live on (unless you discussed with your roomie ahead of time). My best advice to you when choosing is if you are a side sleeper, face the door and pick the side you normally sleep facing. The reason I say this is because you don't know what your roommate is going to be doing until all hours of the night...you are not going to want to be facing them, but the wall. If you are living in a single person room (kudos, that was my favorite also), stand in your doorway and pick your dominant side. I always preferred living on the right side of the room (when looking in the door); someone once told me it was because I was right-hand dominant.
4) Don't unpack a single thing until you make your bed!
I do realize how strange this sounds, but trust me. Moving day is always long and draining. At the end of the day, all you are going to want to do it fall into bed. You are going to be able to do that if it is already made.
5) Unpack large to small.
Conquer all of your big unpacking tasks first. I know you are going to be itching to decorate and get all of your personal touches right where you want them, but don't. Get the worst out of the way first, and then treat yourself to decorating last. You will be able to better focus if the most tedious is already done.
Lastly, relax. It is going to be okay.
Students: Thank you parents...for everything. Not only did they just help you move in, but they supported you every moment leading up to this one. They will appreciate a sincere thank you and a hug (warning: they will probably cry).
Parents: Your emotions are running high and that is normal. Let your child take the lead because this is a new chapter in THEIR LIFE also. Don't hover. Let them know that they can call you if they need anything. Despite what they think, there is going to be a bit of an adjustment period. Just be supportive, as always.
Questions? Please comment or email me! I would be happy to address any concerns to the best of my ability. Check back next week to learn more about getting organized for class.
Last week, we focused on packing and being prepared. This week I want to provide some helpful tips for move-in day, so we can keep it as stress free as possible.
1) Move in early, if possible.
[ Image courtesy of USA Today College, linked ]
I always contacted Residence Life to see if I could move in a few days early. This way, you are beating the rush. It will be easier for you to move in with less people around. If you are unable to move in that early, arrive at the earliest time available in the morning. I know this is challenging, especially if your home is far way from school (mine were four hours apart), but it will be worth it.
2) Utilize moving assistance.
[ Image courtesy of MU News Archives, linked ]
Many colleges have moving bins or carts for students & parents to use when moving into the dorm. These will lessen your trips to your room. I lived on the sixth floor and the elevator broke EVERY year on move-in day from overuse. Trust me, the lesser the trips you can get everything upstairs, the better.
3) Pick sides.
[ Image courtesy of emedia vitals, linked ]
If you are the first person there, you have first dibs on which side you want to live on (unless you discussed with your roomie ahead of time). My best advice to you when choosing is if you are a side sleeper, face the door and pick the side you normally sleep facing. The reason I say this is because you don't know what your roommate is going to be doing until all hours of the night...you are not going to want to be facing them, but the wall. If you are living in a single person room (kudos, that was my favorite also), stand in your doorway and pick your dominant side. I always preferred living on the right side of the room (when looking in the door); someone once told me it was because I was right-hand dominant.
4) Don't unpack a single thing until you make your bed!
[ image courtesy of PlushBeds, linked ]
I do realize how strange this sounds, but trust me. Moving day is always long and draining. At the end of the day, all you are going to want to do it fall into bed. You are going to be able to do that if it is already made.
5) Unpack large to small.
[ Image courtesy of Recreate and Decorate, linked ]
Conquer all of your big unpacking tasks first. I know you are going to be itching to decorate and get all of your personal touches right where you want them, but don't. Get the worst out of the way first, and then treat yourself to decorating last. You will be able to better focus if the most tedious is already done.
Lastly, relax. It is going to be okay.
Students: Thank you parents...for everything. Not only did they just help you move in, but they supported you every moment leading up to this one. They will appreciate a sincere thank you and a hug (warning: they will probably cry).
Parents: Your emotions are running high and that is normal. Let your child take the lead because this is a new chapter in THEIR LIFE also. Don't hover. Let them know that they can call you if they need anything. Despite what they think, there is going to be a bit of an adjustment period. Just be supportive, as always.
Questions? Please comment or email me! I would be happy to address any concerns to the best of my ability. Check back next week to learn more about getting organized for class.
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