Hello again, Bears! It is so hard for me to believe, but the fall semester is rapidly approaching! That means that move-in day is also approaching quickly for incoming Bears. This week, I wanted to share some of my tips for the highly anticipated move-in day for any new Bears that are moving to campus this fall. If you are moving to campus soon, I hope that this post makes you even more excited for what’s to come! Here are some pieces of advice about move-in day.  

Talk to Your Roommate 

Before you move into your residence hall room, it is important that you consider talking to your roommate so that you can avoid bringing duplicate items. It’s also nice to know when your roommate is planning to move in. Getting to know your roommate before moving in can help you prepare for your living situation, or even help you find a friend before you get to campus. Consider trying to get to know your roommate before your move-in date, as it can help ease the move-in process.  

Check Your Email! 

The time between your SOAR session and your move-in date can sometimes feel like it’s dragging along, but this is the time that almost all information regarding move-in and the process of moving into the residence halls is sent to you through your MSU campus email. To stay on top of move-in information, be sure that you are checking your campus email at least once a day. Residence Life will contact you regarding your move-in date, housing assignments, and the process for moving in. Knowing what to expect before your move-in date will make the process on the day of so much easier. 

Label All of Your Boxes or Items Beforehand 

When you move into the residence halls, you will be prompted to drop off all of your belongings outside the front of the residence hall where Bear Crew, our move-in volunteers, will help take your things to your room. It is important that, before your move-in date, you label all your boxes and items with your name, residence hall, and room number so that your belongings are delivered to the right place.  

Have Fun! 

The moments right after you are dropped off at college can be awkward and emotional. It is so important that you make an effort to enjoy yourself while you are first adjusting to your new college environment. After you move in and unpack your things, find something that you can do on campus to both familiarize yourself with MSU but also meet other students in the same situation as you! Consider attending a Welcome Weekend event (which I will be discussing in an upcoming post), taking a walk around campus, or eating your first meal in the dining hall with your roommate. The weekend before classes start is also not a bad time to make sure you know what buildings your classes are in, so you aren’t as overwhelmed on the first day. Occupying yourself during this time will make your experience so much better, and there are so many fun events and things going on that you don’t want to miss! 

Takeaways 

I hope that these tips help you feel even more excited about move-in day. Moving to college really is such an exciting time, but it’s also normal to feel a little overwhelmed. If you are one of many students that feel that way, I want to remind you that there are endless resources available on campus to help you adjust to college life, including but not limited to our CAST office. I hope that your move-in day is improved by these tips, and that you enjoy the beginning of your life on campus!  

~Hallie  

(Bio: I am a junior out-of-state student studying Creative Writing and Philosophy.)