This past Wednesday I moved back onto campus at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The feeling that I had moving back in gave me nostalgia back to my first year moving in. Even going into my third year there are always some things that I need to remember to have a smooth move in process. It's that time of the year again, let's break it down.
1. Have your credentials ready.
When moving into your dorm typically you are going to need proof of identity so that they give all the right keys to the right people. So when arriving at your destination make sure to have anything that would be a good proof of identity such as a drivers license or even a military ID. And along with that make sure that you also are aware of any student ID numbers or pins that may have been given to you prior to your move in because most schools may use that as a way for you to check in. If you don't remember your ID number initially that's OK! Just have it written down somewhere on your person and over time you will remember it with repetition (or some form of mind control).
2. Pay attention to your surroundings.
Being in a new environment can always be intimidating and a little nerve racking. Because of that, it can lead to people getting lost when trying to navigate around the campus (I would know, it happened to me on my first day). So to help minimize the chances of you getting lost on day one always remember to be aware of signs directing to different areas on campus as well as any employees of the school who can help you find your way. In most cases, there will be people whose task is to mainly direct parents and students to their desired location on the move in day so as long as you are aware of where you are and where you want to go then you will be all good!
3. Don't be afraid to branch out.
Let's be real for a minute; you're going to have to talk to some people eventually when you get there and if you are an introvert like myself that really is not the most fun idea in the world. But seeing as you will be living with the people in your building for an extended period of time you might as well be one of the first ones to break the ice and introduce yourself to everyone. It really sets the tone of the building and it also gives the other residents a good first impression of you. Making friends off the bat will help you feel less nervous about starting college and make you feel more confident about yourself too (and also gets you more people to help you move in. Just saying).
Now in (awesome) conclusion, starting college is very scary. I wish I could say there would be a way to avoid the butterflies and all the jitters but I can't because it is all very real. Like I said it is a completely new environment, especially for the first year students. The best thing you can do is to take a deep breath and tackle it head on. It is a new year and a new adventure that you are about to embark on and it is going to be a great one. And in the words of my old high school principal, start your year off with the end in mind.
