I think it’s pretty clear to say that my transition to college was something that I never could have prepared for, nor expected. As much as I tried to scour the internet for tips on starting college during a global pandemic, there wasn’t much. Even some of my closest friends had absolutely nothing to say— they, too, were stuck at home, anxiously awaiting the day that they would move into their dorm rooms. While there were traditional rules and regulations for the transition to college, this “new normal” needed a new level of expertise.
Jumping into new things feet first has always been difficult for me. I’m the kind of person who either thoroughly researches something before I do it, or turns to others for advice. None of this was possible this year, so trying something new became even scarier than before. While I was incredibly excited to get to Kenyon, I still couldn’t shake the nerves— and sadness— that accompanied this transition. I would be driving out to Ohio with my dad; my mom and sister had to stay home due to Kenyon’s COVID-19 restrictions. Moving to college is a big transition. To do so during a global pandemic further demonstrates its meaning. While I had to face the uncertainty of move-in day with minimal advice, I found several solutions throughout my day that I thought would be worthwhile to share with others, especially during these ~different~ times. So, here’s a few tips and tricks that I learned during move-in day.
1. Arrive early.
My dad and I pulled into the KAC’s parking lot at 8:30, half an hour before move-in officially began. Not only was I able to get into the testing line very quickly, there was minimum foot traffic heading into my dorm. This made it much easier to carry all of my bags up to my room in a timely fashion. In addition, I felt less rushed. Arriving early gives you plenty of time to get settled, and the opportunity to walk around campus once you’ve finished unpacking.
2. Focus on the good.
It’s definitely easy to slip into feelings of doubt, sadness, or insecurity on move-in day. I remember feeling my nerves fluttering like butterflies in my stomach. Finding things to focus on to ease my nerves was something that grounded me during move-in. Whether it is going on a walk to take a break or getting excited about dorm decorations, there are plenty of things to get excited about that allow you to surround yourself with good thoughts.
3. Take a break when you need to.
Move-in can get crazy, and is really exhausting! Take a break when you need to, and check in with yourself. Don’t be afraid to put yourself first when you need to— both mentally and physically. Sometimes, a quick power nap or a run down to the deli to get lunch serves as an opportunity to relax during what seems like a never-ending day.
4. Pack the comforts from home.
After spending seven months at home with my family, leaving home was a little bit sad. It’s always nice to have small tastes of home in your room, to remind you of loved ones and make your new space feel like YOU. For me, it was some old photographs, my favorite mug, my mom’s old sweatshirt, and a cozy blanket.
5. Bring sanitation supplies.
Given the current state of things, having plenty of sanitation and cleaning supplies on hand is always a good idea. I ended up creating a small bin for myself that I stowed in my closet, which made it easy to grab what I needed to clean my desk and wash my hands. Creating little kits for yourself is another great idea: make things easy to grab, and place them where you’ll need them. Unpack strategically!
6. Have confidence in your abilities!
You should be SO incredibly proud of yourself for completing this big transition. It’s no small feat, especially during a global pandemic! Go into move-in day with an open mind, and keep reminding yourself that anything is possible. You’ve got this! With a positive attitude, the day will become much easier. Have faith in who you are and what you’ve done to get to this moment. All of your hard work has paid off, and you’re about to start the next phase of your life.
While I could go on for hours about the certain aspects of move-in day that I found most helpful, these six stood out to me the most. Take heed of them if you need to. More importantly, however, establish a day that feels right for you. No matter what advice you get from other people, you are the one who will ultimately shape your own college experience. Keep health and safety regards in mind, while still finding joy in the simple moments, like making your college bed for the first time.
My move-in wasn’t perfect, and nor should anybody’s be. Every person is bound to experience individual ups and downs. My advice is to not fear them, but embrace them. I took move-in day one step at a time, and celebrated each little accomplishment— whether that was completing my COVID test, getting my room key, or organizing all of my t-shirts. While certain logistics of the day may have looked different, the heart of move-in day still remained the same. Unpacking all of my luggage with my dad felt normal, as weird as that is to say. While there were several aspects of the day that wouldn’t accompany normal times, I found that the extra precautions made me feel even more safe, and confident about the measures that Kenyon had taken to stop the spread of COVID-19. The welcoming waves and smiles (underneath the masks) made me feel even more confident that Kenyon was the perfect place for me. Even in different times, the mission of the Kenyon community remained the same. While saying goodbye to my dad at the end of the day was difficult, I remained confident, relishing the fact that I had just completed the first big step of this new phase. Hopefully you will, too.