By Melanie Puebla
Move-in day is an exciting, but stressful day for everyone. Students and parents are focused on moving into the residence room, meeting the roommate, and saying goodbye. On a day with such high emotion, it is helpful to hear from an experienced student on how to make this day a bit easier.
I am a senior at Penn State majoring in public relations and Spanish. I lived in the residence halls from the summer before my first year to the end of my second year. I have experienced move-in day three times and I consider myself somewhat of an expert on moving into residence halls. The following is a list I have compiled from first-hand experience on how to make move-in day a success for both students and parents.
Do not forget to pack ...
By limiting your trips to the grocery or department store on move-in day, you can avoid unnecessary stress. Some common things students and parents often forget to pack when moving into the residence halls include:
1. Ethernet cable. The on-campus residential computing office recommends students bring a cable that is 25 feet in length.
2. Extension cord.
3. Shower caddy.
4. Shower shoes.
5. Extra-long sheets. The twin beds at Penn State are extra-long, so using any size other than extra-long may prove to be an inconvenience.
Purchasing textbooks
Buying textbooks on move-in day can be hectic. By learning the best ways to purchase your text books, you can ease the stress on your family during this busy day.
The first option is to go to the bookstore. Looking for textbooks can be overwhelming so asking for help is always a good idea. The staff can quickly locate the books you need and give you more purchasing information.
The second option is to contact the bookstore and pre-order your books. Means for contacting the bookstore vary from campus to campus, as some stores can be contacted online, by phone, or via e-mail. Bookstores can prepackage your books so they are ready when you get to campus.
Getting to know the campus
After moving in, it is beneficial to both you and your parents to take a break and walk around the campus. Walking around the campus not only familiarizes you with the campus, but it also gives your parents a better understanding of your surroundings. Taking a map found at http:www.campusmaps.psu.edu/print/ along and finding important buildings also can eliminate stress for the first day of classes.
Move-in day is something you master through experience. Now after a few move-in days, my mother and I have the move-in process planned to a "T."
Good luck with your move-in, and do not be afraid to ask others for help.