If you are an incoming freshman, here are a few things you should know about when your parents move you into your first "away from home, home."
1. They will cry... A lot.
They will cry driving you up to school, they will cry when they unpack your things, and they will let all the tears (or at least what is left of them) out when they have to say goodbye to their baby as you turn the page to the next chapter in your life.
2. They will try to set up your entire room.
Honestly, let them. You can always rearrange it when they leave. They will try to make your room as "homey" as possible. However, nothing will ever be as good as sleeping in your own bed.
3. They will try to strike up random conversations with your roommate's parents.
This will be awkward for both you and your roommate. But nothing bonds two people together like awkward parent conversations.
4. Your dad will go and meet every person in your hallway.
You can almost count on this if you're a girl and you live in a co-ed dorm. Your father will go up and down the hall at least 12 times and give each boy he comes across a nice firm handshake.
5. The phrase "stay out of trouble" will be embedded into your brain.
They will repeat this every couple minutes as they relive their college days. They aren't stupid; they know what will happen, they just want you to be safe and sound since they cannot be there anymore.
6. They will look at every piece of clothing in the bookstore.
They do not care if they spend $500 in the store, they want to have a little part of you while they are at home. They will wear these clothes until they have holes in them.
7. They will have a heart attack when you buy your first textbooks.
"$600 FOR 3 BOOKS" yeah, this phrase will become all too familiar when checking your bank account and wondering where all of your money went.
8. They will go see every building on campus.
Since Olivet is so small, they will want to go and visit every possible place that your precious feet will walk into.
9. They will make sure you have a mailbox key and that they know your address.
This will be very important to them in order to send you care packages and other things that they think that you will need or in case you forgot anything at home.
10. Almost immediately after they pull out, they will call or text you how much they miss you.
This will happen weekly until you're graduated and live on your own. However, no promises that it won't happen each time you leave home.
11. Once they get home, they will make sure you didn't forget anything.
Even the smallest of things will give them an excuse to come up and see you.
Clean your room, make your bed, and leave a note on it so when they go in that is the first thing they will see. Tell them how much you'll miss them and how much you love them. It will get framed and hung up in their bedroom so they can remember all the great times with you.
Let them be parents, let them be embarrassing. They only do it because they love you and want you to do great and have fun.
