6 Ways to Get a Head Start on Moving Back Fall Semester
As the fall semester approaches, you may be thinking of all that needs to get done before moving back on campus. Getting ready for the fall semester can be very stressful and overwhelming, but with a little preparation, it can be manageable.
The best way to make your move back on campus the least stressful is to get a head start on it while you can. Instead of leaving everything for a few days before, why not start earlier and eliminate stress?
1. Look through all your college stuff
If you are anything like me, it is likely you have pushed all your stuff to the side without any organization. It is important that you take the time now to go through each individual item and decide if you want to bring it back with you.
Items such as shower caddies, microwaves, TVs, and mini fridges may be among what you want to bring back. You can start putting what you are going to take with you in one pile, and what you are leaving behind in another to eliminate any confusion.
2. Start packing
Once you know what college essentials you are bringing, you can start cleaning them out and packing them up. Since you used these items last semester they may not be in the best quality so you may want to tidy them up a bit before putting them away. Once you pack up these items, you can put them aside and not have to worry about them before move-in day.
3. Coordinate with roommates
Another thing you want to be sure to do before heading back is coordinating with your roommates. Whether you know your current roommate or not, you want to know what each person is bringing to the room to avoid over packing or anyone bringing the same items. You should especially coordinate with your roommates if you want to keep a certain color scheme or decorate a certain way.
If not for anything else, it’s a great way to get a conversation started with your roommate because odds are you haven’t spoken to them in a while.
4. Order books/get school supplies
Although buying books can be quite disheartening when you look at the cost, they are an essential. Be sure to do some research to figure out what books you need for the semester. You definitely do not want to find out the first day you did, in fact, need that book you procrastinated on buying. Contrary to popular thoughts, buying books does not have to put a dent in your bank account. Instead of buying books from your school, you can search on sites such as Amazon, Uloop, or Chegg for a better deal.
Be sure to also stock up on plenty of school supplies; they will definitely not be wasted. You want to pile up on notebooks, pencils, pens, and sticky notes. However, the most important item you will need is an assignment pad. An assignment pad is essential to the hectic life of a college student. This will ensure you do not forget about any club meetings, big exams, formals, and much more.
5. Familiarize yourself with your schedule
Use the free time you have now to look at your schedule and try to learn it. This is the time to change anything on your schedule you do not like. You also might want to look up your professors on ratemyprofessor.com to see how well your professors stack up in comparison to others. Take the time to make your schedule as close to ideal as possible, since you will have to follow it for the next couple months.
6. Get mentally prepared
Take advantage of the time you have now to get yourself mentally prepared for going back to campus. Right now, you are likely in summer mode and are thinking very little about school and responsibilities. However, before you know it you will have a pile assignments that need to be done and zero time. Slowly start to get yourself on a productive schedule because it will make it that much easier when you have to go back to school.
Remind yourself that you will be going back to school soon, so it is important that you begin to prepare. You can start by simply changing your sleep schedule and getting up early. If you have been lounging in your bed all morning this summer, change that by getting up earlier to make the most of your day. This will prepare you for those early rises you will have when you return to campus.
Remind yourself to breathe and keep calm before going back. Although going back can be stressful, it is manageable. With a little preparation and packing, you will be in good shape for fall semester.