Back to school can be stressful. Back to college can be even worse. Having to fit your whole life into a tiny dorm room or apartment may seem impossible but with these quick tips can make a hard day [or week] a breeze.
Make a packing list
In my opinion, the worst thing you can do is start willy-nilly packing the day before you leave for school. A well-thought-out and organized packing list is what every college student needs in order to have an easy move-in day. Once you’ve accumulated all of these products you’re bringing, group them together [bathroom items with other bathroom items, all of your clothes together, etc.]. This way you’ll know where everything is on move-in day and you’ll be able to unpack and organize your dorm or apartment with ease.
Don’t pack things you don’t use at home
My most toxic trait as a person is when packing for school, packing a shirt I’ve worn one time in the past two years ‘just in case.’ If I don’t wear it at home, why am I going to wear it at school? Don’t do it with clothes, shoes, books, etc. If you do not use something at home, don’t bring it to college.
Contact your roommates
Things you don’t need in a college dorm or apartment: 4 printers, 2 Brita filters, 45 rolls of paper towels, etc. When you find out who your roommates are [if you didn’t pick them or sign a lease with them] make sure you shoot them a text, email, or Facebook message to talk about what things you are bringing and what they’re bringing. That way, everyone is spending less money, packing less stuff, and will have more space in your new home to put things you really want.
Get into a routine
I know that as a college student you take advantage of having no commitments those following Monday mornings. That being said, I also know you’re staying up until the sun rises and sleeping the days away. Unless your first class is at 3:00pm [not likely] you have a big storm coming. By working on your sleep schedule and creating a daily routine [gym, homework, class, studying, eating, and everything in between] you’ll have a much better chance of transitioning to your school schedule instead of sleeping right through both of your classes on the first day of school.
Check all of your syllabi
Depending on your school and your professor, you might start using books [or having assignments due] on the first day of class. To prevent an Elle Woods moment, make sure you’ve read all of the syllabi for all of your classes, contacted professors with any questions, copied assignments and exams into your planner, and get to work on completing those summer assignments if you get them.
Explore ways to get involved
When I transferred to OU, the biggest thing that kept me up at night was that I wouldn’t make any friends or find an organization or job that clicked for me. I explored every single student org before deciding on a few, as well as jobs until I stumbled upon my current place of work. I applied for the job and joined the clubs through the school before school even started so that I could start making money and getting involved before I even started my first semester.
What tips do you have for preparing for a seamless back to college season?
❤ Alicia ❤
Living off Leesh 