Summer vacation is coming to an end (cue high-pitched screaming). Preparation for either another semester or your very first can go about a few different ways. Either you are that person who has everything ready to go on the day you move in/get to class. Orrr… you are the majority of us that are still running around your room trying to find that one pair of fuzzy light blue socks you just have to pack in your suitcase on the day of move-in. For you to have a smooth entry this semester, whether you are a commuter or a resident, organization is the key. Here are a few tips to make the transition a little bit smoother:
1. Make a list
This one is probably pretty obvious but the more detailed your list is, no matter how many items you have, the greater chance you have of not forgetting everything that you need. You can make your own list or this handy website  lets you create and print out a detailed list.
2. Rent your textbooks wisely
There are countless sites that say that their prices are the best for textbooks. I’m not saying that you have to browse the entire internet to compare prices but a little research won’t hurt, especially if you are planning on buying your textbooks. If you are renting (which I highly recommend) try out this site. The prices are tremendously lower than many others and I have never had a problem with the books or the site in the three years I have used it!
Another age old question: when is the best time to buy the books? Many schools will already have the textbooks listed on your schedule (Marymount included). Ordering your textbooks before class begins provides you with a few benefits: you have time for the books to be delivered to your home which is helpful especially if you don’t know how your school’s mail system works yet. Unfortunately there are some drawbacks of ordering them beforehand because you may have that one professor who decides not to use the textbook and you’re stuck with a 200 dollar book on the theory of quantum physics. It’s really all up to chance, but all-in-all it is ultimately better to be prepared.
3. Know what you need
I made a horrible mistake freshman year- I brought my entire bedroom from home. Unfortunately, moving out was an absolutely horror story. I’m talking papers up to the ceiling, useless knick knacks that did not need to be there, and having to take multiple trips just to get everything home. Make sure that in your list (see #1) you take exactly what you know that you will need. Your priceless collection of random books/magazines that you think you just have to bring will only take up space and believe me, you will not read them!
4. Create a roommate contract
If you are a resident, you’re most likely going to have someone (or a few someones) to share a room with this semester. Whether you are best friends, acquaintances, or you met off of Facebook, it is incredibly important to be on the same page as your roommate. I’m sure that you have heard the horror stories of crazy roommates and unfortunately the stories are not entirely made up. A roommate contract is one of the things that you should create as soon as you move in. If you are a freshman, your school may provide an already made sheet for you and your roommate to fill out or you could just make one yourself. This article has a complete guide to roommate contracts and how they should be handled effectively. By having this contract handy, it will help you and your roommate know each other’s’ needs and boundaries for rooming with one another. If problems do arise, you can take the contract to your resident assistant for further help to talk out what’s bothering each of you.
5. Know your budget
Going into a new semester we all have those expectations of ourselves, just knowing that we are going to make the right decisions and not spend 50 dollars a week on Starbucks but unfortunately, it doesn’t work out like that. If you have a bank account, creating a budget is as easy as going on your bank’s website to create the allotted amount you want to spend each month. If you don’t have a bank account and live off of cash or checks from a job then allotting money is just as important, just without the electronic process. Creating this budget is extremely important- it saves you from having to live off of ramen noodles your whole semester because, contrary to popular belief, the taste of ramen WILL get old after thirty days straight of the stuff.
Being organized and prepared before you set off for school is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself this semester, at least in the beginning. Keep these tips in mind when you’re getting ready for the new semester and here’s to an amazing (and organized) year!Â