Move-In has come and gone. There are always lessons to learn and these are the top 11.
1.) GO TO THE EVENTS OF YOUR COLLEGE ORIENTATION.
Yes, Orientations can be cheesy. However, there are some very important components of orientation. Some of these include important conversations revolving around sexual assault and sexual violence, meeting your academic advisor, and probably the most important is getting you college student ID. Your college ID is important because the ID can be used to pay for meals and probably more importantly, to tap you into your residence halls. Without your college ID, you can't get into where you live so please, please, please, go to your orientation events.
2.) DO NOT LEAVE YOUR COLLEGE ID AT HOME.
This one should be self-explanatory. The whole point of a college student ID is so that you can be identified as a college student on or around your campus. If you leave your college ID in places like Georgia and New York and you go to school in DC, the purpose of the ID is defeated.
3.) BRING WATER.
Move-In days tend to be really hot. To minimize the risk of becoming dehydrated or fainting, bring water. Resident Advisors and other staff members don't want their first introduction to you or your family to be calling emergency medical staff.
4.) TALK TO YOUR ROOMMATE BEFORE MOVING IN.
There's nothing worse than getting to your room and having two of everything. Talking with your roommate before move-in day helps ensure that you're being efficient and you have as must empty/free space as possible.
5.) KNOW WHERE YOUR HALL IS.
If your college has a virtual tour, make sure you check out what part of campus your residence hall is in. Google the address and plug it into your Google Maps or other navigation software. Also, if your college has two campuses, make sure you know what campus your residence hall is on.
6.) PAY ATTENTION TO THE STREET SIGNS.
When your moving in, there are sure to be traffic signs all campus. By following these, you can ensure that you aren't driving the wrong way on a one-way street. These signs also aren't are important because it will show you where the parking spots and garages are.
7.) PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE YOU LEAVE YOUR KEYS.
Move-in day is also the day where you first get your key to access your room. Some doors automatically lock so you always want to make sure that you have your key on your person. Locking yourself out of your room on the first day is never fun.
8.) IF YOU HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS HELPING, MAKE SURE TO THANK THEM.
There are many students throughout the country that don't have help. They show up to their door and boxes are in their room. If you have family members helping, make sure to thank them because they are taking time out of their day to help you begin your journey.
9.) REMEMBER TO EAT.
Move-in day is grueling. Your body needs fuel to keep going. Food is a necessity and just like number 3 university staff members don't want to have to send you to the hospital on move-in day.
10.) IF A ROOMMATE IS DONE MOVING IN, HELP THE OTHER ROOMMATE.
This is another lesson that should be a no brainer. There will be plenty of time to set up your room for that perfect instagram picture. After you finish getting belongings into your room, ask to see if your roommate wants/needs any help with their items. (You know you'll be using some of them anyway)
11.) BE NICE.
There are tons of staff members who are volunteering to help you make this day as easy as possible. Yes sometimes there may be a line to get into the elevator, but don't take your frustration out on the volunteers. They're there to help and without them, move-in day would be a lot more stressful.
