Move in day at college went particularly well this year; was it that I now have the whole process down to a science? Was it that I was lucky enough to find a parking spot close to my dorm? Was it that the line for signing in was short when I got there and that I had the incredible luck of finding an available cart right away? I’d have to say it was a mix of it all, but that going smoothly made me ready to jump back into the swing of things with my friends right away.

When my parents and I got on campus, after a much later start than we had planned, we anticipated chaos. Not only the usual chaos that happens from a few thousand students descending on the dorms in a relatively close timeframe, but also with regard to the large construction project in process on campus as well. We couldn’t have been more relieved that we easily got right into the parking lot closer to my dorm, and found not only one but two parking spaces close by.

Getting my room key and signing in was easier than previous years. Maybe it was because I knew what to expect, or maybe it was from the staff being on top of their game, but I seemed to fly right through. As happy as I was about how things were going to that point, I was even happier when I came back out to the lobby, and my dad was leaning against an available cart to bring my things in on. Those usually involve some waiting time, as there are few in comparison to the number of students trying to move in.

We had to make two trips, mostly because I was bringing the TV and refrigerator, but we got everything in and up to my new room. Some of my suitemates were already in the room when we arrived, which was great because the beds were no longer set up as bunkbeds, so we were able to get down to the important business of getting settled and making sure that the TV would be ready for the football game later that day.

Once my parents left, my buddies and I headed downtown to reacquaint ourselves with the usual go to spots, and look at the new that had opened over the summer.

The funniest part was on our return our one roommate who has a reputation for “packing light” showed up with a backpack, two rolling suitcases and a box that his father carried. That is my packing goal for next year.