Summer is nearly over and soon campus will be filled with new students moving in and out of dorms, apartments, and houses, into newly-leased homes. Having been through this hellish weekend, I have a few words of advice to lend to the newbies of the Clifton community:
1. Mind your space
A lot of people seem to think that they are entitled to an entire street for their Uhaul, to an entire elevator full of their stuff, to blocking off a whole hallway so they can set their stuff down and move it in in shifts - this is not how that works. There are so many people moving in and out at the same time that taking up excess space that could be used for neighbors is completely inconsiderate and illogical on such a busy weekend.
2. Don't over pack
You know your limits. You cannot bring your whole hometown to Cincinnati, nor can you bring all of Cincy to your hometown. If you can't lift those two boxes of silverware, then you probably don't need them for your house. Overpacking limits you more than underpacking due to the waste of energy and time on getting things organized and settled.
3. Allow yourself to get sentimental
You and your first roommate went through some crazy things. It's okay to be sad if she's the first one out of the dorm and suddenly, you feel all alone. It's okay to get emotional when you're leaving your first true college house. Even if it were a shit-hole you loved it just the same for all of the memories provided. Let it happen.
4. Prepare ahead of time
If you get a jump start on packing up the little things than you will be golden when it's finally time to head out and all you really need help with is the heavy duty stuff that needs to be disassembled. If you rent the Uhaul weeks in advance, you will most definitely be able to rent yours for the time you need it.
5. Treat yourself after
After running up and down the steps, be sure to treat yourself to a cold brew or a nice meal out in downtown. Moving can be stressful and sometimes you just need something cool to drink to keep you around after.
Most of this stuff seems like common sense, but to many of us - it's intimidating to think of moving homes, starting over, maneuvering that big truck through the city, but all of this can be accomplished with a little bit of help. The promise of a new home can be bittersweet when leaving one you already have so many memories in, but it can also be motivating and freeing to have a blank slate and the power to do whatever you choose with it. Although leaving my own home now is terribly upsetting, the excitement at a new place, a new experience is absolutely amazing.
