By Hudson Nuckolls
You packed for days. You said your goodbyes. You made the drive. It’s finally here: move-in day. Here are 10 tips to make it the best experience possible.
1. Reach out to your roommate before #UAMoveIn19.
This will help you get to know them better and you can decide who will bring shared items for your room.
2. Bring an unpacked change of clothes.
The worst-kept secret about Alabama is the heat. Hauling boxes in it won’t make it any cooler. Wear something light and cool and bring a change of clothes that you don’t have to dig for in your bags. Don’t fret if you’re low on Alabama gear right now — the University Supply Store has you covered.
3. Prepare for all types of weather.
The heat isn’t the only thing that can bother you on move-in day. Tuscaloosa averages just under 55 inches of rain per year, according to U.S. climate data. Showers and storms can pop up at any time during the summer, so make sure you remember where you packed your umbrella and rain boots. You can get weather information by downloading the UA Safety app, which provides a 7-day forecast for Tuscaloosa, as well as active weather alerts. A live weather radar can be found at https://ready.ua.edu/.
4. Don’t bring your entire closet.
It will be hot for most of the fall, so keep your winter clothes at home until you head back for Thanksgiving. That’s the perfect time to exchange your summer clothes and prepare for the cold months.
5. Nobody knows what they’re doing except the Housing staff.
When it feels like complete chaos, know that the family on the elevator with you knows just as little about what they’re doing as yours does. You can trust the Housing staff to take good care of you and your things. They’ve got the move-in process down to a science. Follow them on Twitter for more move-in tips. Also when you’re in Tuscaloosa, you can tune in to 92.5FM UA Info Radio for move-in information.
6. Meet one new person on your floor and offer to help them with their things.
You could meet your best friend for life on move-in day. Give someone a helping hand, and they might even return the favor. UA President Stuart Bell has set a great example of this in the past.
7. Buy groceries.
It’s smarter to wait until the day you arrive to buy groceries. There’s a good chance grocery stores will be crowded during busy move-in days, so don’t hesitate to use grocery pickup services, many of which are located within a few miles of campus.
8. Reward yourself with some delicious food.
After a long day of unpacking, take a dinner break and try to find your new favorite restaurant. There are tons of options to choose from in the area.
9. Go explore while the sun goes down.
One of Tuscaloosa’s best-kept secrets is its sunsets. Head down to the Riverwalk and watch the sun set over the Black Warrior River.
10. Hug your parents.
As much as they joke about how excited they are to get you out of the house, they are going to miss you when they drive away. Let them have their moment with you. They can rest assured knowing the UA community will take great care of their kid.