Moving into a new apartment for college, especially as a first-year student, is an exciting experience. It’s normal to experience the adrenaline rush and the glowing feeling of moving to the fun zone where you get to be in charge. But while trying to experience it all, students moving into new apartments tend to get caught up and, eventually, overwhelmed by the new experience.

This in itself can be scary and thrilling, but not to worry as there are tips to make the process less complicated for you. The guide below will help you get into the spirit of moving into college while also helping you avoid “rookie” mistakes. 

 

Before Move-In Day

 

So, you’re finally moving to college! You get together with your friends and family to enjoy one last celebration before you say goodbye to your old life and start the new journey. But while enjoying the moment, you should remember that you still have so much to do. Moving into a new college apartment as a freshman is one of the most stressful experiences you’ll ever have. That’s why you should prepare well for it. Here is how to get started.

1. Premove-in Cleaning

 

At this point, you should be aware of how far your university is from home. If your college is not too far away from home and you can take the time out to get there before move-in day, you should. The stress of cleaning up on move-in day will leave you aching for days. As a matter of fact, you might have so many tasks for that particular day that you’d have to break them into portions for the preceding days.

 

Nonetheless, you don’t have to feel stressed out on move-in day. It’s about going there a few days or even a week or two before your scheduled move-in day. You don’t need to go to your new apartment that first time with your load. Instead, go to your apartment with some cleaning essentials to whip the place into shape before your scheduled move-in date.

 

Not all apartments, hostels and dormitories allow students to come by before the real move-in day. This is why you should first contact your apartment caretaker or dormitory warden before taking the trip there. However, student apartments, like Northpointrexburg.com apartments, give you full liberty. Their apartment caretakers won’t restrict you from accessing your accommodation because your lease contract made the apartment yours for a given period.

 

Find out from your landlord or dormitory warden if you can go over to clean up your apartment before the move-in day. If it’s allowed, then you’re good; if it isn’t allowed, you can show up on the given move-in day to take care of your room first. After everything has been put in shape, you can then bring your bags and baggage down.

 

Some apartments and dormitories allow students to check in just a little before the scheduled move-in day, but they would be told to do their apartment clearance first to claim their accommodation.

After this is done, they would then be allowed entry. Try to find out if your apartment has this option and bring along your required documents for the clearance. Once this is settled, you can clean up your accommodation and prepare it for your move-in. Oh yes, do remember to check your accommodation for areas that need maintenance checkup or repair.

 

Inform the landlord or apartment caretaker of the issues so they can be fixed before you move in. If you’re unable to visit your accommodation before move-in day due to time constraint or long distance, you need not be overly bothered. You can still make things work on your move-in day. You only need to take everything one step at a time.

2. Try To Only Bring Essentials First

Now that cleaning up your accommodation is out of the way, you have less to worry about. The frenzy of moving to college can make you feel that you can take most of your stuff to college. While it is tempting, it is unadvisable. You probably won’t use half of all the non-essential stuff you take with you to your new apartment. Instead, those non-essentials will just crowd up your space.

 

If possible, ask your older friends or siblings about things you might or might not need in college. They have been where you’re at and so will be able to advise you perfectly about the essentials you should bring along and the items you should forgo. You can also make a list of all your personal and impersonal items you would like to take along with you.

After making a list, consider all items on it and weigh their essentiality; this will help you decide on items that should not move with you. This period can also be a donation or yard-sale time for you. After sorting through your belongings, pick out things you no longer need, you could either donate or sell them. This will help you free up your room at home and also ensure your college apartment doesn’t get crowded with useless items. 

3. Packing Your Stuff And Preparing Your Load For Move-In

 

The list you made about items you will take with you to college can be useful here. Sort through your list of college essentials and start packing them for your journey. If you need some essential items for your apartment but don’t have them, you can consider buying them before you move to your apartment. Some people think it’s advisable to buy items you don’t already have after you move-in.

 

Buying items after moving in will help reduce the load you travel with on move-in day. This option also helps reduce your luggage, allowing you to bring along other things that would have been left out due to unavailability of space in your car. While this is a valid option, you have to note that it can be stressful going out to buy new items during or just after the move-in day. Especially so, because you’re new to the environment. Besides, buying new items after move-in day might drastically reduce your spending allowance.

 

Whichever choice you decide to go with, each has its advantages and drawbacks as highlighted above. It’s worth knowing that even if you bring all your essentials from home, you might still need to buy a few items after moving in. Asides things like your clothes, shoes, bags and the likes, remember to take along other items essential to your new life in college.

 

Also, try to find out from your apartment supervisor about items or things you can bring along to your accommodation. Some apartments have a zero-tolerance for high voltage appliances while some don’t worry about those. Knowing about things related to this affair before your move-in day will allow you to prepare well and move in with only acceptable household equipment. 

Try to ascertain if pets are allowed in as well. There could be a clash if you bring along your pet and your apartment coordinator says pets are not allowed. Knowing this beforehand will help you avoid this trouble. It’s also crucial for you to know things that are available or not in the apartment. This will help you know what to bring along with you.

 

Some apartments provide beds, cooking appliances, furniture, washing appliances and the likes while some don’t. Those that provide those items and appliances are usually more expensive than apartments that don’t. Overall, check and recheck your luggage before moving to your new apartment.

 

Here is an insider tip, write out all the items you plan to move with. Tick each one as soon as you have moved it into your bag or car for the journey ahead. This will ensure that you don’t forget any important item.

4. Understand Your Rent Contract

 

Before moving into your new apartment, you should endeavor to read through your rental contract and understand the policies, terms and conditions attached. Understanding them will enable you to live comfortably and peacefully in your apartment without the fear of being upturned by your landlord or apartment supervisor.

Understand your rent and how to budget for your college apartment services payment. For instance, besides your rent, are you required to pay utility bills or is that covered by your rent? You can make enquiries to know if the rent covers repairs or if you will have to take care of the cost yourself.

Understand the money matters well and be on the same page with the apartment’s caretaker or landlord. This is because money or money-related issues could easily cause a serious clash between you and your landlord/caretaker. Only after agreeing to the terms in your rent contact should you sign the contract.

 

The brunt would fall on you if you signed a difficult apartment contract without a favorable way to opt-out. Also, if you’re to live in a shared apartment with roommates or occupants, try to know about the rent and bills that will be shared. Ensure that you and your co-occupants understand the shared payments and will be able to all keep up with it.

 

After Moving Into Your New Apartment

 

Congratulations on moving into your new apartment! However, you need to know that you’re not done with your entire move-in process. Below are things you need to keep in mind.

    1. Setup The Basic Services 

After you have moved into your new apartment, you should set up the basic services you'll need for your comfortability. For instance, if there is no provision for general WIFI, you’ll need to find out from your neighbors or apartment-mates about the best internet or cable service providers in the area. If they are novices just like you, you can ask your landlord or apartment warden about the best service you can use.

 

If that doesn’t work, make your findings on the internet. Search for internet and cable service providers in your location. Before settling for any of the service providers, check out reviews about them. Asides internet and cable services, you might need to set up gas, electric, humidifier, heater and the likes.

   2. Upgrade Your Apartment 

If your room doesn’t look as appealing as you want it, you can consider upgrading it to make it look appealing. There are different ways you can make your apartment great without breaking the bank, but first, you need to seek the permission of your landlord. You need to seek permission before upgrading your apartment because some landlords are against changing how the apartments look in any way.

 

If your landlord or caretaker agrees, then you’re good to go with your apartment redecoration. You could repaint the apartment, introduce wallpapers, fix new floor/wall tiles and the likes. Upgrading your apartment makes it look more inviting, and makes you feel at home more at home than when you newly moved in.

   3. Update Your Address

 Adjusting to life in your new apartment can be a daunting task at first, especially if you’re not used to being away from home, but with time, you’ll get the hang of it. To reduce the relocation shock, try to relax and make yourself feel at home. Bring out home items that you love and keep them close by. Keeping them close to you would help you feel connected to your home and family. If possible, try to connect and relate with your roommates, co-occupants or neighbors.

 

Having people to talk to can help you adjust faster. Also, go out and try to mingle with your new environment. Above all, stay connected with your family and friends back home. Keep in contact with them and call them when you feel lonely or bored. Hearing their voice or seeing them via video call can help you stay happy while you adjust to your new environment.

 Conclusion

Moving to a new apartment for college is both an exciting and humbling experience. You’re bound to experience the frenzies, glitz/glam, nostalgia and more. But you will get through it all and get the hang of everything in no time by following the tips above. Live life, have fun, play safe and remember to focus on what took you to school in the first place: academics. Happy college life!