Going to college is stressful, especially when you are going off for the first time. You don't always know what you should do to make move-in less stressful for you. Here is a list of things that will hopefully make the move a little bit easier.
1. Get in contact with your roommate
It will make move-in and everything else so much easier if you get in contact with your roommate before you get there. Talk about your interests, who should bring what, go over some tentative ground rules. Do it all before you get to school so that you don't have to stress as much.
2. Study the campus map (or at least look it over)
Once you move in, you have a couple of days to get settled before classes start. In order to make finding your classes easier on your first day, look over the campus map so that you know where each building is. Another good idea is to take time on the day before to do a walkthrough of your first day on campus so that you don't have trouble finding anything.
3. Have a copy of your schedule in an easy accessible place
It may take a few tries to memorize your schedule, buildings, and room numbers. To make finding things easier, have a copy of your schedule in a place that you can easily get to. Maybe have a picture on your phone so that you can easily find it while on the move.
4. Make sure someone brings a shower curtain
An important thing to bring to school during move-in is a shower curtain. You do not want to go to take a shower and realize that nobody remembered to bring a shower curtain. The mess isn't worth it, trust me.
5. Bring toilet paper
There is no such thing as too much toilet paper. Make sure that you bring a pack when you move in. If anyone forgets you will be screwed. It's just easier if you all bring some, saves you a trip to the store later.
6. Don't bring your whole wardrobe
Clothes are obviously a necessity when it comes to moving anywhere. But you don't need to bring every article of clothing that you own. Bring a good amount of outfits, probably the ones that you usually wear. If you don't wear it at home, you won't wear it at school. Dorm rooms aren't big enough to hold everything you own.
7. Rent textbooks, don't buy them
Textbooks are expensive, there is no doubt about it. It is cheaper to rent textbooks. If you are going to FGCU, there is a little place to get them called Textbook Brokers (#notsponsered) that has really good prices.
8. Bring something to do between classes, like a hobby
In college, classes aren't all day every day. It is entirely likely that you will eventually become bored out of your mind. If you have a hobby, like drawing, bring drawing materials. If you don't have a hobby, try and find one that interests you.
9. Explore the surrounding area and become familiar with it
This is the area that you will be living in for the next couple of years. Get out and explore it. Go to different restaurants, discover all the stores, just get used to your new surroundings. It will make you feel more comfortable in the long run.
10. Look at the dorm rules before buying things like a toaster
Every campus has a rule book and every dorm has a set as well. They are always enforced and it is easier to know them going in and before you buy anything that may be considered contraband, like a toaster. It will save you time and money in the long run.
