Gone are the days when we dreaded going back to school. The weeks before the big First Day aren’t full of Walmart bags overflowing with colored pencils and hand sanitizer. Back-to-school shopping doesn’t consist of our moms dragging us from store to store, trying on tennis shoes and jeans. We don’t beg for the newest Lisa Frank notebook with a sparkly unicorn on it. Now, the weeks before Move-In Day are consumed by DIY dorm decorations and trips to Bed, Bath, & Beyond. Our shopping carts overflow with shower caddies and microwaves, and instead, we beg for that Urban Outfitters duvet that’s just to die for. And before we know it, the time is upon us. College students across the globe are moving into their “home away from home” right this moment, while some of us have just one more week of summer to savor before we’re kicking tail and taking names notes. Just don’t forget to do these 5 things before you leave it all behind you and head off to college yet again:
1. Meet Up With Your Roommate
Whether your roomie is the same one as the year before, a friend from last semester, or a complete stranger, it’s definitely a good idea to meet up and reconnect with the person you’ll soon be sleeping 10 feet away from come fall. If the two of you haven’t met yet, try meeting up for some lunch and a quick run through a few department stores to get an idea of what you want your dorm to look like. Get to know at least a few of the basics beforehand, and you’re sure to avoid some of the awkwardness of move-in day. Plus, you’ll get a head start on designing the dorm room that’s perfect for the two of you. And even if you’re already best pals, it’s a good excuse to grab a bite and catch up before you’re both overwhelmed with the glories of Welcome Week.
2. One Last Bash with Your Pals Back Home
There are few things more difficult than saying goodbye to your hometown friends when it’s time to go back to your respective colleges. Seriously, it sucks. This is by far the worst part of going back to school, but never fear, my friends, one last night to remember is just what the doctor ordered. One thing you’ll notice throughout college is that the longer you’ve been gone and the more spread out you are, the harder it becomes to regroup and enjoy each other’s company. And trust me, there are few things you’ll want more than just that come finals week, so hit the group message we all know you have and plan something that you can all enjoy and remember for the next five to ten months, because these friendships are something you’ll never want to lose.
3. Reconnect with Your College Buddies
So, you’ve said goodbye to your pals back home, its time to reconnect with your friends back at school. Even if you haven’t kept in touch over the summer, shoot a text to your girls and schedule a trip to your favorite local spot to catch up and get back into the swing of things. You’ll be surprised, once you’re surrounded by all of your favorite people, it’ll feel like you never left. Plus, you can get an idea of when you’ll be able to catch "The Bachelorette" together or carpool to church come Tuesday night. Remember, college is never as sweet as when you’ve got a few great people to share it with.
4. Visit Your Family
Whether you believe it or not, your little brother really does miss you while you’re gone, and your sister is really going to wish you were home when she needs to borrow your favorite sweater. So, while you have a chance, go ahead, take your little brothers to catch a movie. Treat your sister to a girls’ night. And while you’re at it, make sure you love on your grandparents, too. Tell your family that you’re going to miss them because, let’s face it, you are.
5. Spend Some Quality Time With Your Parents
And last, but definitely not least, spend some quality time with your parents. You will never meet two people who care so much about your safety and welfare, so as you can imagine, this is a little more than scary for them. The days leading up to you going back off to college are just as emotional - if not more - for your parents than for you. So bear with them and let your mom insist on setting up your room for you, let your dad introduce himself to everyone on your floor, and let them know how much you love and appreciate them.
By now, you’ve checked and rechecked your suitcase, you’ve said goodbye to everyone back home, you’ve cried over leaving your beloved pets behind, and you’re ready to come back to college - shower caddy, microwave, and UO duvet in tow. Now it’s time to get excited because a new year at your university has officially begun. Good luck out there!
