As summer comes to a close, and we excitedly get ready to head back to Norman for the school year, we are looking forward to everything the new fall season will bring us. However, not all of us are looking forward to the drive, flight, or maybe even walk back. So whether you are doing a 24-hour drive back to Norman like me, or a 20-minute drive, let’s go over the basics on how to stay entertained and be prepared for move-in day.

1. Start saving your money. Remember how poor you felt while away at school? While back at home your parents have been randomly giving you cash for when you go out with friends. Save it! You will thank yourself later.

2. Clean your car before you leave. This will make you feel ready to fill it up, and make you feel better about leaving your drive-thru food bags in the car when you're done eating during the drive. Also, fill your car up with gas the night before you leave. This way you don’t start your drive later than you wanted the next morning, or won’t have to wake up earlier to do this annoying, expensive task.

3.Packing is obviously essential. Please, do yourself a favor and pack at the very least the day before. Don’t rush yourself the morning of. No one wants that stress. For sure pack all the necessity items, such as recruitment attire, your nike shoes, Kendra Scott everything, and your going out clothes. After that, just try and fit the rest of your room/closet within the space you have left.

4.Before just throwing your stuff in the trunk, try your best to be organized. Those helping you move in will be grateful for this, and it’ll help when deciding what goes where in your new space. Try your best to keep everything packed up in suitcases and boxes. Having loose stuff in the car will be annoying when you hear it sliding back and forth throughout the whole drive. Or it might even break. And make sure you can see out the back window! Safety first!

5. Make awesome playlists. This is essential. Use Spotify and make sure there are songs that you love, and songs to keep you awake. A fun idea is to ask your family what their favorite songs are within certain genres and bands, and have them create playlists for you. This way you get to hear new music and maybe some songs you forgot about.

6. Play the license plate game. This is especially fun if you are going on a long drive. Keep track of how many states you find!

7. Don’t text and drive.

There are plenty of fun tasks to do while stuck in the car or airplane. Yet sometimes we make ourselves miserable. The car ride back to Norman should be filled with nothing but excitement and fun. So make the best of it! Think about the upcoming school year, football games, etc. Because we are all ready and excited to get back to the best school on Earth. Let’s make the car ride or flight worthwhile!