If you’re an incoming freshman then you’ve probably been looking forward to this day for a while now! Move in day is both new and exciting but can be stressful. I’m here to give you 7 of my best move in tips to help make things easier and stress free!
1. If you are bringing storage bins to have in your dorm, use them when packing! These storage bins can easily be used to pack your collection of t-shirts or even all of your bathroom essentials. This tip saves you space and gives you peace of mind knowing what is where.
2. Keep clothes on hangers! If you are planning to hang up certain clothes in your dorm closet, keep those clothes on hangers so that when you are unpacking they are already ready to be hung up, you just have to take them out of the box and place them into your new closet. I honestly just placed all of my clothes in a trash bag with hangers up, it made for easy unpacking.
3. Pack your bedding in the car last, so you can unpack it first! The best decision I made when moving into my dorm freshman year was to have my bedding as the first thing to unpack. The reason for this is so that all of your bedding isn’t laying on the floor while you try to unpack everything else, but also so you can use your bed for extra space for your things while your unpacking.
4. One of my biggest tips is to dress comfortably! I remember wanting to dress cute on my move in day because I felt like I had to prove myself, but my mom convinced me to wear some workout shorts and a Cleveland t-shirt, and I am forever grateful. Wearing something comfortable will help with all the back and forth to the car, packing things into moving bins, and then unpacking your room.
5. Keep your door open while moving in! Many people will probably be moving in the same day as you and having your door open can lead to conversations with possible new friends and hallmates. Socializing is important with those in your dorm because these are the people you will be living with.
6. Coordinate! Make sure to talk with your roommate(s) about who is moving in when and what day. Although it sounds fun to move in at the same time, it can become crowded and difficult to fully unpack. Moving in at different times makes unpacking and saying a private goodbye with family so much easier.
7. Do some research! To make this day go by so much easier, make sure to know where you’ll be picking up your room key, if your dorm has an elevator, where the closest parking is, etc. Knowing some of these things can make the day go smoothly. Checking your college’s website, or even calling Housing and Residence Life, can provide you an easy answer to all of your move in questions and is a great resource.
Make sure to take a step back at some point on move in day and take it all in. Your beginning a new chapter in life, an exciting one at that. Take a look around your dorm, your finished room, and even the small glimpse of campus you can see from your dorm room window, and take a short moment to think about all of the new beginnings, new friendships, and new experiences you are about to have here at Ohio University!