How to: College

Move In

1) Today is the day, my dear. Your new life starts today. So get to it! There will be a lot of formalities, lines, and paperwork. Make sure you know what you need before you get there like medical records, IDs, payment in the proper form. Sometimes it may not be clear what official types of things you need so look online or call ahead well in advance. And if you can, try to do as much before hand as possible. It's not common, but if your school has any midsummer or pre-orientation, do it! It will make the actual day much less stressful and shorter too.

2) Wear comfy, presentable clothes. You may have to take an ID or yearbook photo so do wear something you're content to look at for the next four years; you may not take a new picture every year. But also wear movable clothes and good shoes. It's going to be a long day of moving boxes, possibly furniture, running around outside, and lots of standing.

3) There may not be a large window of time to get everything in your room and unpacked. IT is totally okay if you still have boxes to unpack and things to place by the end of the day. You may need something to do later (more on that to come). Take care of your bed and bathroom stuff first. You want to be able to sleep comfortably that night and be clean. Put your desk and dresser together later, that kind of thing will probably end up changing as you get settled in for real anyway.

4) Things will move fast on Move In Day. There's so much to do and not necessarily enough time to do it. And before you know it, you've said goodbye and you're alone, unsure of what to do next. And that was scary. So before you get there, make sure you take a moment or two to breathe, realize where you are, what you're doing, and most importantly, who you are with. Take it one step at a time.

5) It's going to be emotional. It's inevitable. So be kind and considerate to your parents. They may be more emotional than you, and that's okay; that's not a bad thing. Indulge them one last time. Let them hug you just a little longer. Whether they show it or not, some part of this will be hard for them. And then there's you. It will hit you at some point that you are alone facing this giant in front of you. Do what you need to do to help yourself. Distract yourself with unpacking (told ya I'd get here), personalize your room with pictures and decorations, find a quiet spot to compose yourself or let it all out, help a neighbor or roommate move in and unpack. Do what you need to. Whatever you're feeling: sadness, fear, worry, doubt, loneliness, confusion, overwhelmed, or even happiness and excitement; it is okay. You are not the only person feeling that way. You are okay.

6) Introduce yourself to your neighbors. It will make for much less awkward encounters later; trust me.