Whether you are planning to be a freshman at college in the fall, transferring to a college from another four year university or even transferring from community college, it is going to be a big change filled with new people, new education, new experiences and most likely a new independent life as most students when they leave for school spend. Whatever you are doing, you may feel a little confused and lost with even where to start once you get your acceptance letter in the mail. This is a list of 11 different tips, tricks, hacks and ideas to help you from when you are packing to leave to your first day of class:
1. Buy What You Can Early, but Not Everything
Like you, many other students will be trying to grab what they need for school as quickly as they can. This can be stressful and exhausting when you have to go to multiple stores just to be able to get bed sheets or dorm room decor. So try to get the items you know you will need early that you will need regardless of what room you are in. If you have to wait to find out your dorm room however, try to see if you can get your comforters, pillows, bedspread, etc. later as you may want to try to either coordinate with your roommate (if you have one) so your colors don't clash and/or make sure that you have the right bedspread. Most on campus dorm beds fit a extra long twin comforter, however if there is a chance that you may be living off campus there is not guarantee you will have a mattress that size. And if you do not want to risk a certain comforter being gone by the time you find out your room assignment or do not care to coordinate with a roommate or do not have one, then just make sure that you keep the receipts to all your purchases until you can be sure that you will not have to make any last minute exchanges or returns.
2. Contact or Plan your Roommates
If you are living away from home, you will most likely have two sometimes three roommates to a dorm. Even if you are not living right in an average resident, many of the on campus apartment housings include roommates to a house, even if it is a single dorm. Many schools today allow you to pick and/or get your roommate contact information before you move into the dorm, so try to contact the girl or guy you will be spending at least a semester with. Just getting to know someone beforehand (even through emails or texts) can help break the ice and make move in day a little less awkward and a little more comfortable for both of you. And if you do have a friend or relative that goes or is going to the same school as you maybe ask if you can room with them if you do not feel comfortable living with a stranger for your first semester. Some schools will allow you to choose if you do so early enough and follow the right procedures. Rooming with someone else can be a great way to make new friends as well as even connect with old ones. It is also important to remember just because you have a certain roommate now you may not enjoy, you can have the ability to make new friends and change dorms next semester if you wish.
3. Dorm Hacks
Getting your dorm supplies is a great idea, but if you want to know some more tips on how to help organize your dorm, keep it clean, and more, dorm hacks are a great start. Want to keep dorm smelling nice? Use one of those car vent air fresheners on the air vent. Want to maximize your hanger and closet storage? Use the tabs from soda cans, hook them onto the hangers, and now you can use two different hangers on one. Other hacks for dorm room can be found on sites like this one or this one. Just make sure that your college rules are okay with certain dorm hacks.
4. Keep In Touch
Make sure that you have all your friends and family contact information and make sure it is not just on your phone. While having it on your phone is great, if you lose or break your phone or computer, it may be hard to find out or remember people other than your parent’s numbers if you did not back them up or possibly wrote them down somewhere. Be sure to keep the information in a safe place that you can trust a nosy roommate or other houseguest not to find it. Unless you are very trusting of your roommates and the people they or you may bring over, it may be best to try to keep private contact information of you, your friends, and family away from wandering eyes.
5. “Spring Clean” Your Bedroom at Home
Before leaving your childhood bedroom for a dorm room, make sure to clean up your bedroom. In fact getting ready for college is a great opportunity to do spring or, in your case, possibly summer cleaning. Figure out not only what you want to take or leave home, but also what you maybe want to give away because you do not need a sweater from 12 years ago or an old CD you never listen to. Also remember that just because you leave something at home for now, doesn’t mean you cannot come back for it during any breaks or weekends home.
6. Over Pack
This may seem like a strange thing to say, especially since I reminded readers that dorm rooms are small, but if you have enough space and do know if you will need something, just bring it anyway, especially if you are going to a college where you can not as easily come home on weekends. Try to pack your car with what you can and then once you get to the school, if you see that something can not fit in your room or new home, ask your parents to take it back home with them.
7. Bring Snacks or Ingredients If You Can
If you are in a small dorm, most likely you can have little snacks in your room and possibly a mini fridge, but some schools differ. So check with your school codes and rules before buying anything cooking or food related. However, if you live in a house or campus apartment building you may be allowed to have more freedom with what you cook, so maybe try to safely learn how to make things other than Raman noodles, at a cheaper price. There are even cookbooks you can get designed just for on the budget college kids. It can help you not only eat more than just the school cafeteria, but save you money and even learn a valuable skill.
8. Plan To Meet Up With Friends and Family Before Leaving
If you know that move in week is a certain week. Try to find time to hang out and spend time with your friends and family who you may not be seeing for at least a few months. Try to do this however not too late, but not too early as move in week will be causing stress and finding time to see your friends and family before you go off to school can be hard.
9. Look Up Clubs, Teams, and/or Job Opportunities
Many schools offer different sports, clubs, and even work-study opportunities that can help you not only make friends, but earn you exciting opportunities after college. Just make sure to keep an eye on the dates of any auditions, try outs, meetings, or if there are any forms or actions you have to take before arriving at college to be able to do certain activities or jobs.
10. Make Sure to Get to Campus as Early as You Can
On Move In Day it is important to get to campus as soon as you are allowed to move in or at least a few days in. The earlier you get to the campus the easier it will be to get the lay of the land and meet people so by the first day of class, you will not only know where most or all your classes are, but maybe even have made some new friends before even meeting your professors.
11. Take Chances, Try New Things and Have Fun
College can be one of the best times in your life. Try to enjoy it as much as possible. Take advantage of all the opportunities that your college can offer, but remember to also take time for yourself to study and try as hard as you can academically. You are there to learn anyway. Of course though you should take time to relax, make new friends, try new things, and just have a good time. And if a good time in staying in with take out and Netflix on a Friday night, then do that, but if it is going out to a party with friends, then you should do that. Just remember to do what makes you comfortable, while being safe, feeling secure, and having a good time.
