Six things I wish I knew before moving into my residence hall
Moving into college is an extremely exciting, but also overwhelming experience. From packing, building the relationship with your roommate, and navigating your way around a new campus, there’s a lot to think about before you move in.
Trust me, I remember exactly what it felt like.
Whether you’re an incoming first-year student or transferring to the university, here are six things I wish someone had shared with me before Move-In Day.
Less is more when packing
It can be tempting to pack your car up with everything you own “just in case,” but you do not need to bring your entire bedroom with you to campus.
While you will have enough space for the essentials, remember that you are sharing it with someone else.
Before Move-In, try to coordinate with your roommate about any larger shared items that you may want like a mini fridge, futon, or a storage cart to make sure you have everything you need.
Then, focus on the basics like bedding, clothing, school supplies, toiletries, and a few cleaning essentials.
Overall, if you are unsure whether you’ll need something, it’s probably okay to leave it at home for now. Once you’ve settled in, you’ll quickly figure out what’s missing, and you can pick it up later.
Packing lighter not only makes Move-In Day less stressful but helps keep your room more organized and clutter-free from the start.
Be open to meeting new people from Day 1
You never know when or how you’ll meet the person that you will spend all four years with. It can happen as you are carrying boxes into your room on Move-In Day, or later in the hallways of your residence hall.
The first week is when everyone is looking to meet people. Knock on neighbors' doors, attend the floor meetings and hall events, and start some conversations with people around the dining hall.
When you’re in your room during that first week, stay connected to what’s going on outside. Keep the door cracked open, meet new people, and be open to the new experience!
Your resident advisor truly is one of your best resources
One of the biggest misconceptions about resident advisors is that their sole purpose is to enforce policies. In reality, they’re one of the best resources you’ll have during your first year.
Your RA is there to answer questions, connect you with campus resources, introduce you to residence hall events, and create a welcoming community on your floor.
They’ve been in your shoes before, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need advice or have any questions about campus life.
I still remember meeting my RA on Move-In Day. He immediately made everyone on our floor feel welcome, and because my room happened to be right next to his, my roommate and I got to know him well.
What seemed like bad luck at first in terms of room location turned out to be one of the best parts of the year. He shared helpful advice about managing coursework, getting involved on campus, and adjusting to college life.
Looking back, having someone with that experience just a few steps away made the transition much easier.
Establish a routine early
It won’t be long before you are into the thick of the semester and have many things going on at once. Balancing classes, clubs, and friendships is a lot to jump right into.
To help ease this, I would recommend trying to build a routine from the start and stick to it. Get used to a schedule and begin around it.
This starts with finding a consistent sleep schedule, blocking out study time to make sure you succeed in the classroom, and planning your mealtimes around your class schedule.
The more you can minimize decisions that you have to make every day, the more your day will open up and feel more freeing.
Take advantage of University Housing resources
University Housing offers many resources to make you more comfortable and allow you to succeed.
Your front desk is a great place to start. Many residence halls allow you to check out kitchen and cooking supplies to use in shared kitchen spaces, cleaning equipment, fans, games, and outdoor recreation equipment like cornhole.
These are resources many students don’t realize are available until well into the semester, if at all!
Additionally, if you want to find a new space to study outside of your room, explore the study spaces in and around your residence hall. Having a dedicated space to study can make it easier to stay focused.
University Housing also provides support beyond academics. If you're experiencing personal, financial, or interpersonal challenges, residential case managers are available to connect you with resources and help you navigate difficult situations.
College comes with its share of ups and downs, and you don't have to figure everything out on your own. You can learn more about additional support resources on the Housing website.
The residence hall experience is what you make it
The most important thing to note is that your residence hall is not just where you wake up and go to sleep. It becomes your home base and central community.
Get to know your neighbors, decorate your space, and attend all the events you can. Be willing to take a step out of your comfort zone and find what you enjoy.
Everyone’s college journey looks different, but the more you invest in your residence hall community, the more rewarding your experience will be.
