Most of ya’ll got the first most important item when you were at your SOAR session. This would be your student ID, or also known as your BearPass card. This is what gives you access into your Residence Hall after certain hours as well as whenever you want to utilize the Foster Recreation Center. This card also holds all of your Boomer Meals, Boomer Bucks and is swiped each time you enter a dining center. Besides those functions, the card can be used as a credit card and you can charge items from the bookstore onto your account to pay later. Hopefully I have made it apparent how important this card is and the necessity to keep it safe.
You will be given the other three most valuable items when you come to your residence hall in August to move in. After checking in you will first be handed with an access card. This thick white card is what will get you into your residence hall. Yes, it is unlocked during the day, but the buildings will be locked after a certain time each night. I guarantee you will use this card way more than you think you will. Some residence halls also require you to scan into each individual hallway with the same access card. This should be kept on you whenever you leave your room. You will also be given your room key when you check into the residence hall. For obvious reasons, this should also be kept on you whenever you leave the room. It is never a good idea to leave your residence room unlocked when you or your roommate(s) are not in there, so make sure to plan those five extra seconds into your morning routine! The last item you will get on this first day is another key, but this one will unlock the magical treasure chest that is your mailbox. This key will be identical to your roommate’s and it will be important to have on you. It is the most frustrating thing when you come back for class and take a look in your mailbox full of mail and goodies, but then realizing you left your key all the way in your room. Make it easier on yourself, go a head and keep it on you as well.
The last item of the list can be acquired at any time, even before you get here! It is your Missouri State Spirit! Find the way that you can support and cheer on the Bears. It can be participating in BearWear Fridays by wearing a MSU article of clothing, attending sporting events, taking a selfie with the bear statue, learning the fight song or even just making BEARy great friends!
I hope all of our new students are getting very excited to come to Springfield very soon and start maroonifying your life one day at a time.
~Zoë
Zoë Pixler, a junior majoring in Photography and Art Education, is a Family Orientation Coordinator, helping with special projects and family orientation. She is a member of a social sorority where she is the Vice President of New Member Education.