Making the move from your parents’ house to college can be quite a challenge, and there’s going to be a lot that you’ll have to do to get ready for the big day when you finally head off to university. It’s a pretty stressful time, so here are some things you can do to help take the pressure out of your move to college:
Get a Ride — If you fly across the country to your university, it’s going to be a quick trip – but one you’ll do on your own. It’s better to ask your parents to take you to college, as they’ll be able to help you get set up. You won’t want to have them drive across the country to take you, but they probably won’t mind a road trip to take you a few hours away to your college. You may not want to admit it, but it’s reassuring to have their presence to help you. If they can’t drive you, see if you can hitch a ride with a friend.
Find a Storage Unit — You may not want your stuff to stay at home, but your dorm room is probably going to be pretty small. If you want to have all of your things nearby, why not consider renting a cheap storage unit in the city where you will be attending college? Once you find a storage unit that’s right for your needs, you’ll be able to keep everything close at hand, and you can even talk your dad into paying for the storage just so he can turn your bedroom into a billiards hall while you’re away!
Meet Your Roommates —It can be stressful to move into a new city, get accustomed to school life, and meet new people all on the same day. Why not take the time to get to know the person that is going to be sharing the dorm with you? You can ask the Dean for the name of the person that will be bunking with you, and you can friend them on Facebook to chat with them. You can also visit the school ahead of time, and meet the roommate before moving day arrives.
Set Up Your Income Source — One of the most stressful parts of moving to college is that you will be alone without a regular source of income, even though your parents may occasionally send you money. If you want to reduce the stress in your move, try and find yourself a job before you move. Go online and look for local job opportunities, or visit the city a few weeks in advance in order to find a job before you move.
Get to Know the Area — If you have to attend classes all around campus, you’ll probably be pretty stressed if you have to learn the way to your various classrooms on the first day of school. If the website of the school has a campus map, you’ll be able to learn your way around from the comfort of your home. If not, it may be worth a visit to the college a few weeks in advance to learn more about the campus, your classrooms, and the local area.
