Move-In Day Survival Guide

The day you have been counting down towards for eighteen years is finally here: Move-In Day. Whether it is into a University-owned Residence Hall or a Private-Certified Residence Hall, today is filled with lots of emotions and begins the best four years of your life. 

School-Supplies

Now, you are heading to school without having a school supplies list from your K-12 school for the first time. Do not panic and do NOT over-purchase supplies. My first semester, I bought a folder and notebook for every single class (which sat at the bottom of my desk drawer). I also purchased a pen with the corresponding ink color to each folder/notebook (they sat in my drawer too). Then I found myself buying more tape and markers than a professional artist could ever need.

Besides having your laptop, all you will need for school (excluding those art majors out there) is a notebook and a folder or two, along with a few pens/pencils. Depending on the class, you might need a calculator or an iClicker. However, I would recommend saving some of that extra cash in case you end up being assigned a group project which requires some extra supplies.

Dorm Room Essentials

Next, we need to think about your dorm room. University Housing actually has a great list on their website of things to bring when you move-in! Items such as bedding and pillows are all great, but having a mattress pad is a MUST. Some of my friends went without purchasing a mattress pad our freshman year and regretted it after moving in. It’s also good to grab a couple towels for trips to the bathroom, shower shoes, and anything else you use in your bathroom at home. All tucked inside of a shower caddy, your trips to the bathroom will be more efficient than ever.

When it comes to clothes, bring more hangers than you do shirts because you WILL acquire several free t-shirts at Quad Day. However, try to limit the amount of winter clothes you bring from the start. The first couple of months in Champaign-Urbana feel just like summer, and you really will not need your winter gear until late October-early November. 

Memories from Home

The last thing I would highly recommend bringing is pictures from home! Whether or not you choose to hang them on your wall, they can be great for those nights when you miss your family and friends a little extra. That being said, Move-In Day can be a very stressful and nerve-wracking day. It is okay to be anxious, sad, angry, or extremely excited! Just remember to give the people who helped you move in an extra-big hug at the end because they are going to miss you way more than you might think! 

Ryan

Ryan

Class of 2021
I am majoring in Human Development & Family Studies with a minor in Leadership. I was born and raised in Champaign, IL with a love for all things Fighting Illini. I get to show that love by working as a student-manager for the women’s volleyball team on campus!

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