1. You don’t have to buy every single item on the dorm checklist.

Most likely you still have items like trashcans, irons, lamps, etc. that you bought last year and that can still be used for the upcoming year. You also know what items on the dorm checklist you’re actually going to use, and can get in touch with your roommate to figure out who's bringing what.

2. New Roommates!

Thank God for personalized roommate assignments! Whether or not you new your roommate last year, you’ve made new friends and have gotten to know people who have similar habits, like your late night cramming and random Taylor Swift jam out sessions. However, if you’ve decide to keep things anonymous, you’ll be in for the adventure of getting to know someone pretty closely over the next semester.

3. What’s Homesickness?

Like most college students, at the end of summer you’re counting the days until you’ll be able to move back on campus and reunite with those friends who were always out of town or just simply lived too far away to visit!

4. Your mom doesn’t spend an hour crying before dropping you off at college

It’s not freshman year anymore, so your mom probably isn’t going to freak out on you and openly reminisce about your childhood memories as you unpack! Deep down, she’s probably even a little excited that you’re back on campus and won’t be yelling “Mom” every other minute. However, you’re prepared and have a stash of tissues just in case she lets a few proud tears out!

5. New Memories!

You’re in a new dorm or maybe you ended up in the same room you had last year, full of the memories that were created. But regardless, you’re off to a fresh start and ready to dominate this year. Your room is organized, for at least a week or so, meaning your mind has one less lost paper to worry about, which allows you to enjoy “syllabus week” and the laughter of your friends, as you catch up from over the summer.

College dorm life happens once in a lifetime. Although many students decide to get apartments, the luxury of cooked meals, 10-cent laundry, and free cable & wifi can’t be beat. Cherish the opportunities living on campus provide and, most importantly, the memories that come as soon as you walk into the threshold of your dorm. The moment you step into your dorm symbolizes a new adventure waiting to unfold.