Welcome Back to IUP!
School is back in session, we all know what that means, unpacking. We know that unpacking can feel overwhelming and rushed but here are some tips to make the whole ordeal a little more bearable.
Tip 1: Start big, end small.
How many times do you just start unpacking without thinking about the setup you want for your room? It seems you decide that you want your dresser on the other side of the room after you already set up all your niknaks. Before you start tearing open boxes, look around and decide where you want your furniture to be. For example, do you want your full-size bed next to the window or are you like most IUP students, who should be vampires, because they despise the sun pouring in on them after a long night of studying?
Tip 2: Don’t Procrastinate
Coming back to school is exciting, especially with being able to catch up with your friends that you haven’t seen in months, but try not to go to crazy. The first week of classes is the perfect time to get organized for the rest of the semester. Start with the important stuff first. Take care of putting away your clothes, toiletries and please go grocery shopping. Grab your keys and make your way to one of Indiana Pa’s grocery stores. If you don’t have a car, there are bus stops steps away from your off-campus housing. Don’t break in your luxurious kitchen by whipping up a hot bowl of ramen for breakfast. You can do better than that!
Tip 3: Repack
Busted, you overpacked. You brought the same sweater in three different colors. Don’t be embarrassed, your college neighbor probably brought ten pair of sneakers when they only wear their favorite pair. Do the future you a solid and pack up what you don’t need. Really be picky when deciding what you want. Plus, save yourself some frustration when it comes time to move out of your IUP off-campus apartment by not being forced to play Tetris with a pile of pans that you never used.
Tip 4: Make it fun
Turn on your favorite playlist, invite some friends over, order your favorite pizza from your favorite pizza shop and have yourself a blast. Take advantage of being back at Indiana University of Pennsylvania with all your college friends and have them over to see meet your new roommates in your 2, 3, or 4-bedroom apartment. You can all enjoy snacking and gossiping about your summers while kicking back in the theatre room, which is one of many amenities offered to all Philadelphia Square tenants.
Tip 5: Take a Breather
Relax, it is just unpacking. Yes, it can seem like the most daunting task, but it is doable. You already did the hard part, which is packing. Now, it is time to do the next step. Before you start ripping boxes open and throwing things into miscellaneous piles, look around, envision the setup you want, and come up with a game plan. Make the most out of your off-campus housing and make your new place feel like home.
Have any more tips for when it comes to unpacking in your college apartment? Share them with us!
