Move-In Day: The pinnacle moment of the imagined college experience. Incoming freshman don't really know what to expect when it comes to this day. Will it be seamless? Easy? Fun? It's a day of the unknown and something that most people are extremely nervous, albeit excited, about.

Have no fear, however. With move-in day looming closer all over the United States, I, an experienced mover-inner (a word I'm pretty sure I just made up) have some sound advice.

But really, as someone who has experienced college move-in day already, and is a Residential Advisor, I have some tips and advice that will make move-in day easier, less stressful, and definitely way more fun.

1. Make Sure You Have The Essentials: Besides what you're actually going to have in your dorm, make sure that you have the essential things to make moving in easier. If you can, bring a dolly to make moving all of the stuff you are sure to have a lot less hectic. You're more than likely going to have to park somewhat of a distance from your residence hall, and the dolly will help you carry more stuff in a shorter amount of time. Don't fret if you don't have a dolly; large bins or suitcases do the trick as well. Make sure that something is always in a bigger something. It makes moving easier, as well as unpacking. Also, don't forget that awesome double-sided tape, push pins, brooms, cleaning supplies, and that sticky blue stuff that we used to play with in elementary school that could stick a school bus to a ceiling
2. Let Your Parents Do Their Thing: Your mom is going to want to make your bed and organize your clothes. Your dad is going to want to meet other parents and students and crack bad jokes. Don't get frustrated or upset, let them do it. Not only does it create less work for you, but it's also a big moment for them—just as it is for you. It's their last day with you—at least for a while, so let them do their thing. Plus, people will most likely think your dad is cool, which is going to make them think you're cool as well. Let it happen, it will all be over before you know it anyway.
3. Put Everything In A Place: Honestly, this kind of goes with the last bullet, but just hear me out. Don't wait to unpack A N Y T H I N G. Unpack it all, and find a place for everything. It will make everything so much smoother. Honestly, if you can also keep your room decently organized, it will make things 10x more effective and your life so much simpler. It's so easy to make sure that a messy room isn't stressing you out.
4. Introduce Yourself: Having friends in your Residence Hall and putting yourself out there on move-in day is a great way to have friends that last the entire year. True, we are all terrified of moving to this place where we could practically know no one—where we have to basically start friendships over, but if you're kind and yourself on the first day, you shouldn't have any issues. Everyone is going to be terrified—remember that you're not alone in that feeling. It may be nervous to say "Hey, I'm Morgan, and I'm your neighbor" (obviously, it'll be your name which may or may not be Morgan), but it's a great way to have people remember you.
5. Remember Names: Going off of my last bullet again—it's AWESOME if you can make an effort to know people's names and say hey to them throughout the day. It really makes someone feel remembered and they automatically feel a connection to you. Plus, people like to feel like you made an effort and like to know that they are being thought of. This will really help you with bonding with your neighbors, people on your floor, and your entire Residence Hall!
6. Treat Your RAs/Door Decs With Respect: I'm not just saying this because I'm an RA (okay I am saying this a little bit because I'm an RA) but it holds merit! Your RAs are basically your guides and your personal little helpers for the next two semesters, but they can also bust you and make your life a living hell if you're doing something wrong or being a d**k about things. Being respectful towards them and treating them as you would a mentor is a great way to approach a relationship with your RA. Going along with respecting your RA—that means respecting the door decs / bulletin board they made. They put A LOT of effort into those things, and tearing them off or screwing around with them is just cause to make them upset.
7. Give Your Roommate Some Space: This is super important. If you're all moved in when your roommate arrives, and you're simply hanging out in your dorm, leave and let them do their thing. Unpacking is already stressful enough with just a family of people or even yourself. You can kindly offer to help, and that might be accepted, but for the most part, this is the last bit of time they have with their families and it is important to give them that time. Honestly, they don't want you there yapping away about your summer while they're trying to spend their last tender moment with their children. You can catch up and get to know your roommate (if you already haven't) after they've unpacked and said their goodbyes.
8. Take Time To Yourself: It's so easy to get burnt out on move-in day. There is so much going on, and it's really quite a stressful experience, so it's important to take a step back and just take a moment for you. Sit on your bed and soak in your new room. Take a walk through campus and get to know where you're going to be. Everyone is going to be a bit frazzled—and making sure that you have a moment, however brief, to yourself is important. You don't want to overwork yourself on the first day.
9. Use The Elevators To Go Up, NOT Down: This is super important to keep the elevators useable and productive. They are super helpful inventions, especially for move-in day. People are going to be standing in front of the elevators waiting to move their things—and if you ride the elevator down, you clog up the process. So whether you are on the 18th floor or the third, take the elevator up—and then take the stairs down. Trust me, it will make EVERYTHING easier for EVERYONE.
10. Take It All In, Embrace It, Have Fun: Move-in day is crazy, but it becomes an exhilarating, fun kind of crazy the moment you accept that fact that it's going to be hectic, and everything may not always work out how you want it. This will go wrong, but that's okay. Just let it happen. Remember, move-in day is the first day in an AWESOME new chapter of your life, and this new chapter is going to be one of the best of your life.