First Day of College Tips for Freshman

Advice for College Freshman on Move-in Day

Be sure to arrive early. I don't mean the time it says to arrive, I'm talking much earlier. Yes, it breaks the rules, but all the other parents will have their children at your school early too. This is a case of if you can't beat them, join them. This is vital because you need to be the first roommate to arrive so you can stake your claim. Whether you are in a double, triple, or quad, having the ability to select your space is key. Be sure to consider things such as power outlet placement, closet space, proximity of your bed to all your other furniture (I've seen people with beds in one corner, their dresser in another, and their desk nowhere near either), if you want the top or bottom bunk, if you can see the tv from your bed, ethernet cord placement (if not wireless), and proximity to the window. Inevitably you're going to look like a jerk for picking the preferred side, but someone has to do it. If you don't, your roommate will. 

When you get your key, you may be given a shoelace lanyard to keep it on. Do not use it. And if able to buy it at the bookstore, don't. Nothing says freshman more than shoelace keychain.

Don't yell at your parents. It's not fun carrying up boxes by yourself, so dont piss them off. This is especially true if they are paying the $30,000. for you to attend the school.

Try to unpack as much as you can while your parents are still there. Dorm rooms are notoriously tiny. Even if you took a tour of the school and think you remember the size, you might be wrong. If you were like me you saw maybe 30 different dorm rooms on your college search, you might not have remembered correctly. Chances are you overpacked and won't have room for everything. My dad had to drive home with 2 large laundry bags full of my stuff. I sent him back with many of my heavy sweaters that I could just get when I went home for Turkey Day. To make room I brought back all my shorts, open toed shoes and many tank tops.