1. Patience – When asked about their least favorite things
to do, most people would probably include moving on a list along with filing
taxes and oral surgery. Let’s face it, moving is hard and at most college
campuses this rite of passage takes place in the sweltering heat of summer.
Plan ahead to allow plenty of time to move and complete anything else you and
your child need to take care of on campus. It’s also a good idea to confirm the
hours of various offices you may need to visit on campus during move-in day.
2. A sense of humor – Nothing diffuses tense situations like a
good sense of humor. When you consider that this is just one day, although an
important one, in your entire life it will be easier to see the humor in a
stuck elevator or the bottom falling out of a fully packed box. In the years to
come, you will most likely remember these mishaps with a smile.
3. A calm and open mind – Roommates with purple hair and piercings can
still be great roommates. Don’t jump to conclusions about roommates or anyone
else for that matter. If the paint is peeling in your child’s dorm room, make
sure he notices it and records it on the room check-in form, hang a poster over
it and appreciate the fact that the room is safe and conveniently located. He
can probably arrange to repaint the room later.
4. Water and snacks – This should be similar to a picnic lunch,
enough for everyone to have a decent meal if needed. Even if the food services
are open on campus, lines may be long. If you end up not needing the food, you
can always enjoy it as a snack on the way home.
5. Prescriptions and
over-the-counter medications -
Don’t skip any regular medications and bring your prescriptions with you.
Moving may take longer than you expect and you might be ready for your next
dose before you realize it. Also bring; Band-Aids, over-the-counter medications
for various ailments such as headache, motion sickness, stomach upset etcetera.
6. Books or ebook readers,
phones, and plenty of chargers-
If you end up having to wait an hour to unload or need to kill some time in
between moving in and another program it helps to be able escape into a good
book, a game, or your favorite music. Use breaks as a time to relax.
7. Comfortable clothing and shoes,
and maybe a change of clothes-
A change of clothes might not be necessary, but it can’t hurt either. You will
sweat and may get dirty while moving.
8. Cash, change, checkbook and
debit/credit cards- There’s
always a miscellaneous fee that pops up or maybe your younger child wants a
college t-shirt. You don’t have to say yes, but be prepared in case you want
to.
9. Pertinent paperwork from the
college - Including campus
maps or at least the emails your child received about move-in day and events.
10. An extra set of car keys - I can’t tell you how many times people have
locked both sets of keys in the car. Like I said, move-in day is crazy, but
it’s okay, you packed your sense of humor!
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