Your guide for a smooth residence move-in
New students begin transition to residence life and the start of their university careers with move-in day on August 27.
Updated August 16, 2023.
Moving into residence or off-campus housing for the first time is a major life transition full of anticipation and excitement for young adults, but also likely some apprehension. To start this new chapter off with ease, we asked Student Housing and Strategic Partnerships Director, Valerie Bruce, for tips to have a successful passage to university life. Keep reading for expert advice on packing and settling in with a new roomie to minimize stress as you reach this milestone.
“Moving into residence doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience for students. It’s the start of a new phase in a young person’s life and can be an initiation into a campus life that offers the promise of so much more to come. Our residence team is committed to making sure the transition is as smooth as possible,” says Bruce.
Here are some helpful tips to prepare for move-in day:
1. This is the time to downsize. Leave the non-essential items at home, pare down and start on a minimalist foot.
2. Get rid of packaging before packing. Remove all packaging for easy unpacking later, except for mattress toppers and duvets which expand.
3. Pack like items together. Make unpacking more efficient by grouping related items.
4. Use clear plastic bins to move your things so you can easily distinguish your items. Use laundry hampers, storage containers and other home items to pack your things and avoid having to buy boxes that then need to be disassembled.
New students on move-in day settle in for the start of the new academic year
5. Label everything. Use painter’s tape and permanent marker to label your items with your name, building, and room number. This helps move-in helpers easily ensure all of your items make it to your room.
6. Break out the athleisure wear. This is not the time to flaunt your finest threads. Bring out your casual wardrobe for maximum comfort and ease of movement.
7. Maximize space by using under the bed storage, multi-functional furniture (a desk with a built-in bookshelf for example), and over the door hangers.
8. Bring a surge protector with a couple outlets and USB ports to power up.
9. Buy cleaning products at a local store when you arrive to avoid having to pack them. This also provides a chance to purchase essentials like toilet paper, toiletries and other necessities.
10. Be prepared for rain. Pack a tarp or similar item to cover your belongings on move-in day should you experience any unexpected showers.
11. Pack or purchase command strips and hooks for hanging pictures as you won’t be able to nail anything into the walls.
12. Bring other seasonal items like winter coats to your room on a quarterly basis.
13. Register to vote (external link) . Whether you’re just updating your address or registering to vote in a new province or country, your vote still counts! The Student Housing office can provide proof of address for you to register.
14. Don't be shy, take the time to meet your roommates and floormates, and get a sense of your new community. Orientation Week kicks off the next day, offering another great opportunity to meet new students.
15. Practice self-care. It's critical to take good care of yourself throughout the academic year. This means eating healthy, getting plenty of exercise, moderating caffeine consumption, and getting plenty of sleep.
Some advice on living with your new roomie
For most students, residence life is their first experience living with someone outside of their family. Communication, respect and an open mind can pave the way for a harmonious living environment.
Open communication and mutual respect are key to creating a positive living environment with your new roommate. Be sure to listen to your roommate when issues arise and also communicate what you need from them.
“Students embarking on this new chapter in life will benefit from being open to new experiences and people that they'll meet in residence and on campus. Part of community living is learning how to adapt and leaning on residence staff to help with that process,” says Bruce.
Here are a few important tips to keep in mind when living with a roommate:
1. Learn how to communicate effectively and set up clear boundaries, and do your best to respect these.
2. Aligning on expectations can lead to less roommate conflicts. Complete the roommate success plan with your Residence Advisor (RA). It’s important to establish a set of rules whether it’s related to cleaning, lights off or socializing in the shared space.
3. Make decisions together about who is responsible for what and when, for example, taking out the trash.
4. Everyone has different routines and habits, keep an open mind and be respectful.
Remember, you are not alone. Many students are making the same transition as you are in adjusting to residence and university life. A harmonious environment is the best possible backdrop to a successful academic year, and an amicable and mutually respectful relationship with your new roommate can have many wonderful benefits as one of the first new friendships you forge on campus.