Freshman move in is perhaps one of the biggest life events you will have gone through thus far. It signifies you are no longer a child and can be (mostly) trusted to live (mostly) on your own. It's a big deal. Which means it's also a lot of stress.
Now, I am a planner in any and every sense of the word so I read countless articles on move in days and watched waaay too many move in day videos on YouTube. I was ready.
Except I wasn't.
So here are 6 things I wish I would have known about my Freshman Move In Day
1. There are A Lot of People
I mean, I guess I should have figured that, but I wasn't prepared for just how many people would be moving in all at once in my building. I go to a pretty small private school so I wasn't prepared for how many people would be walking in and out at once to bring their stuff in.
Please realize that the entirety of your freshman class is moving in pretty much all at once. Be prepared for crowded lobbies, lines for the stairs, and lots of commotion in general. It isn't going to be an orderly or smooth process, but it'll all be okay.
2. It's Draining
I'm an extrovert so I assumed I was going to thrive the first few days at least before I had an emotional breakdown.
This was not the case.
Moving in to your new home where you know hardly anyone is hard, even if you are an extrovert. Make sure you allow yourself time to feel the emotions, don't run on empty the first week because that is doing nobody any favors, it's okay to admit you're not okay about your life turning upside down.
3. It Takes a Long Time
Again, I should have known this and I did, to a point. I knew my room wouldn't be set up in twenty minutes. I did not know, however, it would take me three or four days to get my room completely sorted out. My roommate moved in before me so I was trying to be respectful of her having the room semi put together before I got there so my parents didn't help me too much. There also was a limited amount of time they were able to help so I had to advantage of not having classes the first couple of days to get my room how I wanted it. Believe me, though, it was not a quick process.
4. Your Day is Jam Packed
Because I'm a planner I was able to find the move in day agenda online so I had some idea of what was going to happen, but I didn't realize how much rushing around it was going to involve. I think I got up at 6 and got back in my room to go to bed at almost midnight the first day on campus. Colleges (or my college at least) plan a couple days of activities to make sure that you're kept busy during the most emotional part when your parents leave.
This is a blessing and a curse. I was busy, yes, but I also was miserable for most of it because I needed more time than what I was offered to process the large life changes I was going through. Be prepared for this.
5. You Might Not Make Friends Day One
I think somewhere in all of the YouTube videos and blog posts I got the impression that everyone would be searching for new friends on day one. And while that is true, everyone is also in a brand new environment and doesn't quite know who they want to talk to or get to know. The conversations are all going to be super awkward at first and you may not make friends on day one. That's okay, say hello to someone and that is a good start. It is not easy to only talk to people whom you hardly know for several weeks, if you're trying that's all that matters.
6. You're Going to Want to Go Home
I was sure I was going to love the college life and I do. However, that first week sucked. I wanted to go home. I missed my siblings, I missed my friends from home, I missed familiarity. I was thrown into a world and culture I knew nothing about with no one I knew. It was had to accept the fact that this was my new normal. Give yourself time to adjust. It'll get better, I promise.
So there you have it. 6 things I wish someone would have told me before I moved into college. I hope this helps you all as you start your college journey! Aim high!
~Libby
Now, I am a planner in any and every sense of the word so I read countless articles on move in days and watched waaay too many move in day videos on YouTube. I was ready.
Except I wasn't.
So here are 6 things I wish I would have known about my Freshman Move In Day
1. There are A Lot of People
I mean, I guess I should have figured that, but I wasn't prepared for just how many people would be moving in all at once in my building. I go to a pretty small private school so I wasn't prepared for how many people would be walking in and out at once to bring their stuff in.
Please realize that the entirety of your freshman class is moving in pretty much all at once. Be prepared for crowded lobbies, lines for the stairs, and lots of commotion in general. It isn't going to be an orderly or smooth process, but it'll all be okay.
2. It's Draining
I'm an extrovert so I assumed I was going to thrive the first few days at least before I had an emotional breakdown.
This was not the case.
Moving in to your new home where you know hardly anyone is hard, even if you are an extrovert. Make sure you allow yourself time to feel the emotions, don't run on empty the first week because that is doing nobody any favors, it's okay to admit you're not okay about your life turning upside down.
3. It Takes a Long Time
Again, I should have known this and I did, to a point. I knew my room wouldn't be set up in twenty minutes. I did not know, however, it would take me three or four days to get my room completely sorted out. My roommate moved in before me so I was trying to be respectful of her having the room semi put together before I got there so my parents didn't help me too much. There also was a limited amount of time they were able to help so I had to advantage of not having classes the first couple of days to get my room how I wanted it. Believe me, though, it was not a quick process.
4. Your Day is Jam Packed
Because I'm a planner I was able to find the move in day agenda online so I had some idea of what was going to happen, but I didn't realize how much rushing around it was going to involve. I think I got up at 6 and got back in my room to go to bed at almost midnight the first day on campus. Colleges (or my college at least) plan a couple days of activities to make sure that you're kept busy during the most emotional part when your parents leave.
This is a blessing and a curse. I was busy, yes, but I also was miserable for most of it because I needed more time than what I was offered to process the large life changes I was going through. Be prepared for this.
5. You Might Not Make Friends Day One
I think somewhere in all of the YouTube videos and blog posts I got the impression that everyone would be searching for new friends on day one. And while that is true, everyone is also in a brand new environment and doesn't quite know who they want to talk to or get to know. The conversations are all going to be super awkward at first and you may not make friends on day one. That's okay, say hello to someone and that is a good start. It is not easy to only talk to people whom you hardly know for several weeks, if you're trying that's all that matters.
6. You're Going to Want to Go Home
I was sure I was going to love the college life and I do. However, that first week sucked. I wanted to go home. I missed my siblings, I missed my friends from home, I missed familiarity. I was thrown into a world and culture I knew nothing about with no one I knew. It was had to accept the fact that this was my new normal. Give yourself time to adjust. It'll get better, I promise.
So there you have it. 6 things I wish someone would have told me before I moved into college. I hope this helps you all as you start your college journey! Aim high!
~Libby
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