As the fall 2023 semester rapidly approaches, nerves may begin to settle in for some students and parents. To help ease your transition to college life, University Housing Services wants to share the top 10 tips to help you feel comfortable and confident as you prepare to move in.
- Please arrive on time!
If you are living on-campus this fall, you must ensure that you have self-selected your Move-In date and time through the Housing and Dining portal. Your self-selected date and time will be the same time your keys will be available.
We understand that there may be traffic during Move-In; if you are stuck in traffic, no worries, you will still be able to move in once you arrive. Your designated time is to help with the flow of traffic and limit waiting times in line.
Your Move-In appointment represents the time we expect you to arrive, not how long you have to move in. Parents, guardians, families, and friends assisting students moving in may stay as long as they wish to help their students settle into their space. Once you check in, you are not timed. You can take as long as you need to move items into your room and unpack.
- Teamwork makes the dream work
You are not limited to the number of people you can bring with you to help you move in. As soon as your car is parked, our Curb Bird volunteers will help unload your vehicle and ensure families get to the right place. Students can move in even faster off the elevators and into the rooms by having friends and family come along to help the move.
- Communication is key
Before students move in, it is important to get in touch with their roommate(s). Good communication can make your Move-In experience that much better! Contact your roommate to determine what time they plan to move in. Discuss what will work best for both of you. It could be helpful to move in simultaneously to have more hands available, or it may be more beneficial to move in at different times to ensure the room is not too crowded. You will know what is best for you. Not only should you discuss Move-In times, but you should also talk about what you intend to bring. Are there going to be shared items? Game systems? Televisions? A mini fridge? Make sure to have a good understanding of what the other person is bringing!
- Move-In starts at home
Your Move-In preparation starts with loading the car at home. Make sure to pack your items in boxes, totes, or suitcases that can be easily stacked or placed on a cart. Carts will be available for checkout. To avoid potentially long lines at the cart checkout, feel free to bring your own cart or dolly from home. Once you are done using a University Housing cart, please return it to where you picked it up.
- Pack smarter, not harder
Bring the essentials you know you will need at the beginning of the semester. Pack most of your fall clothes but leave your winter clothes at home. We typically see a good majority of our residents go home for the long Labor Day weekend. You can always restock and bring back more items with you during this time. Please refrain from bringing trailers or U-Hauls.
Use your best judgment when packing for University Housing. View our What To Bring checklist for suggestions on what to bring but also what to leave at home. Do not bring alcohol, cannabis, bottle or can collections, or anything that gets hot (candles or candle warmers, grills, microwave/toaster oven, coffee maker (Keurigs are allowed). If you have questions about whether something is allowed in University Housing or not, please read the policy and procedures or contact University Housing Services at 309-438-8611 or Housing@IllinoisState.edu.
Finally, pack essential items so they are easily accessible. Imagine if you are preparing for a flight and you are packing a carry-on bag. This bag might include items such as medication, a pillow, eye care products, hand sanitizer, or a charger for your electronic devices. Before you move, pack a bag with things you may need right away so you do not have to dig through all of your items to find one thing.
- Dress for success
Check the weather forecast for Bloomington-Normal prior to arriving. In Illinois, the weather can be unpredictable, so ensure that you plan accordingly. Wear closed-toed shoes and dress comfortably. If severe weather occurs, Move-In will still happen, rain or shine. However, volunteers and Housing staff will be pulled indoors for their safety. If rain occurs, Housing will provide rain ponchos.
Be sure to stay hydrated as well! We will have water stations available for use at all locations.
- Are pets allowed?
The only pets allowed in University Housing without the approval from Student Access and Accommodation Services are fish. Students can bring their gilled friends if the fish is housed in a tank smaller than 10 gallons. If a student has an Assistance Animal, they may complete the necessary paperwork with Student Access and Accommodation Services prior to bringing the animal into their residence hall. Feel free to call home and talk to your other animals as often as possible!
- One loft kit, please!
University Housing offers loft kits on a first-come, first-serve basis during Move-In week. There will be signage and staff to direct you to the loft kit rooms for pickup. To make building the loft easier (as it comes disassembled), consider bringing a rubber mallet, as we only have a select number available.
- Watterson residents, be prepared to get your step count in
Incoming students who will be living in Watterson will have an opportunity that other students do not. They will get the chance to climb stairs during Move-In. Watterson Towers is the lone residence hall on campus, where the elevator only stops on the third floor of each house. If you are not on the third floor, you will need to climb either up some stairs or down some. For example, if you are in Watterson C South 203, take the elevator to the third floor (Level C) of Watterson South and walk down one flight of stairs. Not only will taking the stairs be an awesome workout for you, but it will also help you get more familiar with your surroundings.
- Share your photos and memories with us
Move-In at Illinois State is an experience that is remembered forever. Share the day with others on social media by using #RedbirdMoveIn.
We can’t wait to see you for #RedbirdMoveIn 2023!
