Surviving College Freshmen Move-In Day

It’s the last week of summer. If you’ve read my guide to the pre-college summer, you’ll know all about the importance of money, and you’ll have a good amount handy. If not, take some time to collect cans and change from the couch; you’ll need it. Aside from gathering in money, take these last few days before you leave for college to go over everything two, three, or four more times. Did you pack enough underwear? Deodorant? Said your goodbyes to friends and family? Hopefully you’ll have everything taken care of, and can have a few days before you go just to relax, by yourself. The freshmen move-in day can be a stressful time, but hopefully this quick guide will give you a handle on what to do and how to do it, leaving you ready for your first year of college.

The first thing to know about move-in day is that you should definitely get to your college as early as possible. If you live close to your new school, this won’t be much of a problem; if you live far away, it could be. Plan accordingly, and be sure to get up in time so you can shower and primp. First impressions really are the most important, and you certainly don’t want your roommate, neighbor, or, worse, that cute girl or boy down the hall to think of you as a dirty slob. Dress nice, smell nice, and be nice.

Another thing to leave plenty of time for is packing. As a college freshman, you’ll almost certainly have packed too much, and it will take a considerable amount of time and effort to fit everything into your vehicle. Trucks and vans are the best vehicles of choice (full-sized, of course, not those wimpy minis), but, even if you have a large vehicle, it would be wise to pack up everything you won’t need for the morning the night before. That way, you can be on the road as quick as possible.