By Morgan Perry
So, you will be moving cross country for college and that’s over 500 miles from your home! Congratulations on breaking out of your comfort zone. Leaving home is an opportunity to meet new people, explore places you’ve never been, and make a fresh start.
That said, the combination of moving and going to college (anywhere) may be super stressful. So, we came up with a list of tips on moving across country designed to set you up for success.
9 TIPS ON MOVING CROSS COUNTRY FOR COLLEGE
There is a lot of minutiae involved in moving cross country for college. Use these nine moving across country tips to help you plan, pack, and prepare your mindset for the upcoming changes and potential challenges.
CHECK THE WEATHER
It may sound simple, but make sure to check the weather in your college town (or city) during all four seasons. There may be a winter you’ll need boots and a coat for. Or it may rain a lot and you’ll need an umbrella.
Getting some gear ahead of time could free you up for other things once you get to college. In other words, never underestimate the value of being prepared.
RESEARCH THE LOCAL SCENE
What is around your campus? Is it safe, rural, big city? Are there any events you want to go to? Knowing a few things you would like to see, learn about, or get to could help you make conversations with new peers. “Hey, I was thinking about going to…want to come?” Take charge and you may attract people with similar tastes.
HAVE A PLAN FOR HOMESICKNESS
It may be hard to say ‘see you soon’ to dear friends and family. So, it is important to have a plan in place for those moments when you miss everyone and everything.
One way to do this is to use school breaks to lessen homesickness. School breaks are the best way to combat the homesickness. Even though you may not think you will want to see your family every single break, knowing the next time you get to go home could get you through those bouts of longing and stress.
These breaks also let you enjoy the comfort of sleeping in your own bed, taking a shower without flip-flops, or a home-cooked meal. At least for freshman year, plan your finances to be with your family for the holidays. Otherwise, it may be hard when others at college start talking about going home and you aren’t.
RECREATE YOUR ROUTINES
Let’s say you started your day with a glass of orange juice and a morning jog. You don’t always have to give up your favorite routines, you may however, need to find a way to recreate them in a new setting.
For example, if you lived in the sprawling suburbs and jogged outdoors but your college is now in a big city with no clear cut trails. Find the gym, get your OJ and go. Keeping busy is another great way to avoid the pitfall of missing home.
STAY BUSY
Again, the busier you are, the less time you will have to think about missing home. This sounds so simple, yet it is the mistake many freshmen make.
Your college campus likely has at least one thing you could try or involve yourself in. Do not be afraid to join a club or take on a sport. Getting involved is also the easiest way to meet people and make lifelong friends.
SAY HI
If you are super shy, this may be a hard thing to do. But it is still a great way to break the ice when in a situation where you don’t know anyone. A simple hello says you are open to possibility and that is what moving cross country for college is about right?
MAKE THE BEST OF IT OR SPEAK UP
Life in college is a lot easier when you get along with your roommate. Even if you are not best friends, the hope is you will get to the point of being able to live with each other comfortably. Since this relationship could make or break your freshman year, if getting along is impossible, contact your RA about a room change.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO GROW AND CHANGE
With moving cross country for college, this is your opportunity to be anybody you want to be. Because you chose to leave your hometown far behind, nobody knows who you were in high school. They do not care if you were the prom queen or the nerd. You have no reputation. Therefore, you have the chance to decide how you want others to see you. CHOOSE WISELY. BE YOURSELF.
GO OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
It may feel as if the move was enough stretching of your comfort zone for one lifetime. But there’s more and you shouldn’t shortchange yourself.
You have already taken the first step by moving cross country for college. Why stop now? Push yourself further than you thought possible. Try something completely new. Challenge yourself to be a leader.
College is about finding yourself. My guess is that if you are moving cross country for school, you already knew that. Don’t second guess yourself. Something inside of you told you that it was time to cut ties with your hometown and move on. It might be hard at times but remember…you wouldn’t have committed to a school so far away if you didn’t believe you could succeed. Good Luck! I’ve been through moving cross country and I promise that it is not as hard as it seems.
For moving help try DormRoomMovers.com. They specialize in helping college students move so all you have to do is sit back and relax.
Morgan Perry is currently attending Villanova University and studying health psychology and Spanish. She is involved in Women’s Lacrosse, Student Government Representative, Programming Activities Council, and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.