Breathe in. Breathe out. It’s just another day. But, today, is the first day of the rest of your life. It’s move-in day.

Move-in day is probably the first, but definitely not last, time that you will contemplate dropping out of college. All you have to do is just make it through this overly-hyped, but seriously dreadful day.

You just sat in a car for however many hours, jammed packed with loads of junk surrounding you. You text your friends and wish them good luck on their new adventure and about how you can’t wait to be a college kid.

You’ve spent the last four years waiting to be here; waiting to finally be a college kid. The reality that college isn’t all about partying and making wild decisions because you’re parents aren’t there, like they portray in the movies, won’t sink in for a few days; so enjoy it while you can. You’ve finally made it; you’re one of “those guys”... you’re in college.

You pull up to the dorms and can’t wait to see your room; I mean Zoey 101 made them look pretty sweet. You get your keys, hike up four flights of stairs to get to the second floor, open your door, and it’s just.. nothing. It’s tiny, boring, and in reality, looks like a prison cell. It’s hot and sweaty, and there’s no air conditioning. Just wait until you realize there’s no elevator and you have to carry all your luggage up those steps. This dorm is going to smell great after the day is done.

Then the best part starts.. hauling the luggage up those stairs. Chances are your parents are crabby, trying their best to make everything easier for you, but in reality just stressing you out more. You get all your junk upstairs, but realize your room is so small that there’s really no room to even unpack. By the end, you’ll more than likely find out you brought three more totes of stuff than you can actually fit.

Your roommates and suitemates are popping in and out, trying to introduce themselves. You’re too busy unpacking to really remember their name (or their major.. or their hometown), because let’s be honest it’s the least of your worries right now. It’s time to track down the RA to bunk your bed, find a set up that your roommate agrees with, and try to find outlets that your cords will actually reach. Gotta love the no extension cord policy. Your room’s a mess, but you run to Target for the last of the stuff you need; praying on your way there that your roommate doesn’t already think you’re a slob.

When you get back, you’re going to want to unpack, but except for the necessities, save the unpacking for later. Go enjoy your first day. Hug your parents goodbye, and give them your mailing address. Officially meet your roommate, suitemate, and RA. Walk around and try to meet people, introduce yourself and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Attend as many of the lame activities they are hosting as you can. Don’t worry about making a whole handful of friends on the first day; no one meets their lifelong college best friend right off the bat.

The stress will start to kick in. “Am I going to even make friends?” “Are my roommate and I going to get along?” “I want to go back home!” “This is way more intimidating than it looks in the movies.” “How am I going to pass my classes when I don’t even know where they are?” “Who said college was fun?!?!” This is not how you planned college to turn out. Breathe in, breath out. It’s just the first day. The nerves will settle and everything will be okay. Go out and enjoy the first breath of fresh air called freedom.

Breathe in. Breathe out. It’s just move-in day. The first day of the rest of your life. Welcome to your next four years!