Sadly, summer is coming to an end and the fall semester is right around the corner.
This coming year, I get to partake in the excitement that isliving on campus.
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While I've known all summer that I would be leaving my home and moving, I was not prepared for the madness that is move-in week.
There is so much that goes through your head, so much emotion that it's entirely too easy to forget what would be considered the basics of moving.
In part, you feel like such an independent individual because you won't be coming home to your parents and whether you are rooming with someone else or just yourself, coming home will now feel like a party every day. Okay, maybe not a party, but you get the idea.
There is also the excitement of getting to furnish your place, decorate it however you please. You call the shots but you feel safe knowing if it all hits the fan, you can call home and your parents will (hopefully) come to the rescue.
To top that off, how can we forget one of the biggest perks of living on campus? You're surrounded by friends! So really, every day will feel like a party. Whether it's the happy kind or the "my life sucks" pity party type, at least your friends will be there with you.
We're going to face both regardless.
Those are just a few of the perks of living on campus but what hit me was all the boring, tedious, stressful, costly stuff in between and all the things I completely forgot about
Let me just name a few:
1. Packing: sometimes you just don't have time for boxes.
I may be 22 and in college, but my organizational skills come and go just like my paycheck. I told myself early on to plan ahead and have everything boxed and ready to go in a timely and orderly fashion. Well, let's just say that didn't happen. I packed the night before move in day and ended up not using any of the boxes a friend had given me for the move. I threw everything in hampers and crammed things into every open space and crack in my car. It takes a special skill, really.
2. Commuting: aka Leg Day.
Packing is enough hassle within itself, getting everything to your new place is a whole other story. My roommate and I got put on the second floor of our building. It was hot and humid the two days we spent unpacking. By the end of the day, we were not only exhausted and smelly but our arms and legs were sore. Yes, guys, we do lift but only on move-in day
3. Furniture: BYOF (bring your own furniture).
Thankfully, our apartment came partially furnished. All we needed to bring was a couch/table for the living and kitchen area. Funny thing is, we never got around to actually finding these things to put into our apartment. In the middle of all the excitement, you tend to forget how much responsibility falls on you. Hence, our empty apartment. To top that off, you have to keep in mind that the furniture you bring has to actually fit into your apartment. Let's not even get started on having to transport it to your new place. Hopefully, I can yell "PIVOT" somewhere during that process, though. Fingers crossed.
4. Groceries: BYOG (buy your own groceries).
Personally, this one is the worst for me. While living at home, I still bought groceries and toiletries on occasion. Now you mean to tell me, my fridge, pantry and kitchen cabinets will remain empty unless I go buy groceries?! As of now, all we have is a coffee pot, an entire box filled with Costa Rican coffee and of course, a coffee pot. Because priorities (and little money). Really the whole thing feels like blasphemy. I'm a college student, hello. I can barely buy from the dollar menu. That's what we're all thinking right? And deep down we're wishing we could call financial aid or our parents to remind them of our reality.
5. Meal prep: CYOM (cook your own meals).
I'm vegan and my roommate is, not.
We can cook, rice?
Last but definitely not least: the worst of all...
6. Highways are loud and sleep deprivation is real!
Let me break this down as I am currently, still extremely sleep deprived. Our apartment is located right behind our main highway in town. Not only that but, my second night in the apartment on top of the sound of cars going 60-80 miles an hour on the highway, I also heard a strange man carrying an extremely loud conversation till the late, late hours of the night. Let me sleep! For the love of God!
At this point, words are hard to say and my brain is on autopilot, or completely shut down. Whatever, same difference.
They say it gets worse before it gets better. I think that accurately describes the roller coaster ride during move-in week. Hang in there though because I promise you, you're getting ready to have the time of your life!
