So, I recently graduated from high school (yay me!), and as I’m sure every newly graduated high schooler believes, this summer has been pure freedom. I’ve been living it up, putting off responsibilities, not having a job, and just kind of doing what I want to in my life. But while my fun fantasy world has been amazing, I have to say I miss my structure from school, and for me, it’s about time I checked back into my reality.
I guess now would be a great time to say that I am going to Ohio State University starting in the Fall and I have been avoiding everything to do with getting prepared for college. (Unless you count watching countless hours of YouTube videos pertaining to college prep and move-in). The reason I feel the need to say my college is because of the fact that my class is HUGE! That means I recently found out that most freshmen are going to be crammed into one little tiny double room, but making it a quad. Now I’ve gotten over my freak out but I’m just going to be giving some tips that I’ve heard about from my recently graduated cousin, as well as some tips I’ve made myself while preparing for my orientation.
When I found out about my possible quad room I immediately freaked out. Not at the thought of living with three other girls (aka drama central), but instead because of the thought of storage space I am now losing. I’ve planned my whole life to be in a double room with all of the space under my lofted bed to put things, just like this picture.
So if this is what I was planning, I’m now losing at least 3 feet of that storage, which may not seem like a lot, but is a crazy amount! So here are some tips that I have been given about moving in that have made me feel better about my storage situation.
1.Get There First
Out of all of your roommates, if you want the best storage options, you need to get there first. The reasoning behind this is so that you can pick which bunk you want first, as well as the closet and desk that you want to have, before anyone else even arrives
2.Pick a Bottom Bunk
My second tip is to make sure you get a bottom bunk. Now, while I’m sure you never would have ever wanted a bottom bunk, there is the perk of getting the small amount of storage space under your bed, that the person on the top bunk won’t get. This means at least another foot or two of storage that you can use up with little bins that are more flat and rectangular, which can hold snacks, shoes, or even just clothes that are out of season at the moment.
3. Don’t Overpack
My final and probably hardest to follow tip so far is to not overpack, which I know that I am already struggling to follow this tip, as it is extremely hard when I’ve never lived away from home. Don’t bring an insane amount of clothes, or try to fit a large amount of useless decorations that will just take up space in an already crowded dorm room. This also means that girls, you’re going to need to cut back on your shoe and purse collection, because you aren’t going to have the room for them. I know it’s hard, but you can do it!
Orientation
Now that I’ve gone over that it’s time to talk about my own college experience so far, at least in terms of preparing for orientation and move in.
For orientation, as a nursing student my school made me take my math placement test before attending orientation, which meant I had to take it online. If you aren’t in nursing and have the opportunity to do this option rather than take it in person, DO IT! It was so quick and easy, and honestly you can use notes and old references to help you through it (new graduates should know what I mean by resources). I honestly scored so much better and felt much less stressed doing it at home rather than in a classroom full of people I didn’t know.
I also learned that I have to stay overnight in a dorm room for orientation, which means. For everyone who isn’t prepared like me, know that this means you have to bring your own sheets, blankets, bedding items, and pillows if you don’t want to sleep on a bare mattress. How I’m going to transport it all, I truly don’t know yet, but I’ll keep you updated.
I would also like to touch on the way that I am coping with the stress of leaving my family who I have never been apart from for more then two weeks at a time. I have been having to focus a lot on family time, especially with my brother who I am very close with, even if that means just sitting with him in the living room while he plays video games and I read. I’ve also been making sure to spend lots of time with both of my parents both in and out of the house, which has greatly helped me feel more secure with the fact that they will always be there if I need them. Finally I’ve been putting a big emphasis on my mental health, whether it be with working out, spending time cleaning and doing self care, reading, or just sitting and watching a movie.
To close this little post out I would like to tell every newly graduated high schooler, you’ve got this, and don’t give up. I know it gets hard and you feel like you aren’t going to make it through move in without crying, but you will, and everything will be alright. Your friends and family aren’t dissapearing they just aren’t going to be right by you anymore, and that’s okay. Well that’s it for this post, stay tuned for my next one which will be all about how to pack for orientation as an out-of-state student!
Peace Out GenZ