Congratulations are in order. You’ve made it! You made it through the cuts and scrapes of childhood, the hormones of junior high and all of the drama of high school to make it to Blackburn College. You have your Pinterest board titled “Dorm Decor,” the matching sheets you think you’re going to keep fresh and clean and all the organizers and wall hangings. You even read a thousand articles with titles like “12 tips for move-in day!” and “What you need to know before moving into college,” but those articles are not written by a Blackburn student who knows exactly what it is like to move into the unique campus that is Blackburn. So here are the Do’s and Don’ts for moving into Blackburn College:
Don’t pack in boxes or totes. Dorm rooms are just as small as everyone says, and there’s nowhere for you to put them once you get here. That leaves you with two options: Unpack absolutely everything when your parents are still here, or hold on to those bulky containers until the next time your parents visit.
Do use bags. You can use whatever you like (such as garbage bags or reusable shopping bags), but I like Ikea bags for their size and the way they can be folded up to take up less space than the notebooks you’ve likely overbought, which brings me to my next point…
Don’t overpack. Chances are you aren’t going to use that second tapestry or fourth set of sheets. Downsize your wardrobe. Don’t bring your winter coats and sweaters in May. Your dorm room doesn’t need to be “Pinterest-worthy” to be homey.
Do accept the fact that you will buy things once you get here. You never know exactly what you might need. You might end up really wanting something that seemed silly before, while something that seemed essential might end up being absolutely useless. Accept the fact that you’re probably going to make one (or two) last-minute Walmart runs.
Don’t be afraid to cry. Everyone is scared their first night in their dorm. You are away from home and all the nerves start to set in. You are starting a new phase of life and no matter how tough you think you are, you are going to be scared. It is normal and completely okay.
Do let it out. Find a group of fellow freshmen who are just as scared/nervous as you. These people might not end up being your lifelong friends, but it is much better to have a group of people who are going through the same thing as you than to sit alone in your dorm room during those first few weeks. Don’t worry though, it will get better.