Whether it is your first time moving into the dorms or you are a seasoned professional, dorm move in day can be one of the most stressful days for a college student. Creating a home for the year in such a small space and in a short amount of time can be both exciting and terrifying. Here are a few do”s and don”ts for the day so you can be fully prepared and make the most of the experience.
Do:
Pack well
Packing boxes and suitcases correctly is one of the most important steps to creating a successful move. When packing, label all of your boxes with big letters and bright colors so you can easily find the items you want to unpack.
Hailey Stewart
Argonaut
Organize
In order to keep yourself organized, bring a small backpack or bag to keep with you at all times throughout your move. In the bag, keep your paperwork, school forms, orientation itinerary (if you are a first-year student) and most importantly your keys and ID card.
Get to know your roommate
With all of the busyness of the day, it is easy to forget to acknowledge your roommate. Set aside a few minutes to chat and get rid of the awkwardness before you begin an entire year of living with one another.
Fill out paperwork
The most boring aspect of move-in day is definitely filling out the necessary forms and paperwork. However, you should get this step out of the way as soon as possible so that the rest of your day can be spent unpacking and settling in.
Clean
Even if your dorm room looks spotless, remember, it has been sitting all summer, collecting dust and germs. Bring cleaning supplies to wipe down tabletops and the insides of drawers. A quick clean over your side of the room will make all the difference when moving your belongings in.
Don’t:
Over pack your room
Whether you plan on bringing a caravan of family members or just yourself to move in, the fewer bodies you have in your room, the better. Between you and your roommate, there are bound to be several crammed bodies in one place, so don”t bring too many people along.
Unpack too much
Don”t unpack all at once. It can be tempting to take everything you have out of you car and haul it straight into your dorm, but this can add more stress to an even more stressful day. Unpack your boxes and luggage in waves according to what is inside.
Forget to eat
Midway through the stress of unpacking and getting used to the craziness around you, both hunger and thirst are going to kick in. Don”t forget to snack, keep hydrated and rest throughout the day. Take a break and make sure to grab a bite to refuel for the rest of the moving process.
Decorate all at once
Giving your dorm a homey feel means decorating and adding personal touches. Posters, pictures and other accessories can all be added to your dorm over time. Don”t rush the decorating process; give yourself the extra time to make your side of the dorm feel just like home.
Miss out on the excitement
Dorm move-in day is the perfect day to roam the campus and make new friends, even if you are moving in for the fourth time. Though it can be stressful, don”t forget to enjoy the experience.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @hailey_ann97