Starting my freshman year a week before most of my class has had its benefits. Since I was set to start preseason for field hockey on August 21st, I moved into Lyon Hall at Ithaca College on August 19th. Here are some of the things I noticed along the way that made my stay more enjoyable!

1. You know your way around campus by the time everyone else moves in.

Though I quickly became occupied almost every hour with team meals, practices, and classroom sessions, I found time to familiarize myself with my new home. I found that being on campus without the busy but nonetheless cheerful crowd to decorate campus made navigating campus all the easier. I was instructed to attend all my meals with my team at terraces dining hall, the walk to which provides a pleasant tour of that side of campus.

2. The move-in process is significantly less stressful.

Reflecting now, I cannot imagine being able to move in at the same time as my roommate. My belongings were strewn haphazardly around our small room, more havoc may have ensued if she had been in the same room doing the same thing. (Luckily for her, I was at a team building exercise session during the period of normal move in, so she too experienced this lowered stress!)

3. You can have your room to yourself before your roommate moves in.

Needless to say, I was not wholly organized the day I moved in. (I had not unpacked any of my clothes.) Having the free space (i.e. the top of her dresser, to which all my misplaced items took home until her arrival) was extremely convenient. Besides this, having a quiet room to come home to after an exhausting day was extremely beneficial. Having a roommate now is always good company, of course, but there is something dear about privacy, as many are familiar with.

4. The dorms are quiet...and stay quiet.

I believe my RA and I were the only people on my side of the hall. Not only did I enjoy privacy in my dorm room, I was also able to remain comfortable because of the silence that extended from it; the showers were always open, the kitchen was consistently free, and the bathroom was regularly vacant—comfort in its purest form.

5. You get used to the weather.

Ithaca enjoys the warmth a little later in the day than most. Mirroring the trend that spring usually fancies itself with, mornings were chilly and afternoons were balmy. The many walks I took between the athletic center and my dorm or the dining halls informed me of this. I was able to accurately predict and prepare for the coming morning's temperature, supplying myself with a sweatshirt while donning a tank top. It's about balance!

Of course, I'm not perfectly acquainted with Ithaca College. There is more yet to be seen, always! However, I was able to acclimate quickly and more efficiently because of my early move in date. As a freshman, I greatly appreciate this opportunity; to have become familiar with my surroundings in a novel and intimidating situation is the best wish I have been granted.

And of course, there is still time to figure things out!