Moving is one of my least favorite things about college. It’s difficult, tiring and time-consuming. Fortunately, I’ve found ways to smoothen the moving process and reduce related stress.

The move-in process, for me, starts long before actual Move-in Day. I start coordinating with my roommate about what time she will arrive and what she will bring (in terms of shared items like a TV, microwave, mini-fridge and rug).

Living in the dorms, University Housing also asks that you submit a request for your bed configuration. The options vary depending on what type of furniture your building has but if you’re thinking about bunking you definitely need to coordinate with your roommate as both roommates must agree on a bunked arrangement.

Next, mentally prepare yourself. Move-in Day is stressful, crowded, confusing and chaotic day for everyone — especially new students. Several thousand students are all trying to get situated in their new homes at once. University staff members are buzzing around, orchestrating the day. You’re moving into a new space, often with an unfamiliar roommate and starting a completely new chapter of life. All of this, on top of the regular disorder that comes with moving, can cause emotions to run high. Recognize this and be patient with everyone around you.

You should know the basics of how Move-in Day will go so you can plan accordingly. If you’re living in the dorms, traffic patterns and unloading will be facilitated by the University’s I-Guides. In a matter of minutes, like at a fine hotel, these student volunteers assist you and your family by unloading the car and shepherding your things into your room.

I-Guides’ help stops once your belongings are in the room so make sure all of your things are carefully labeled so you know what’s what.

Once in the room, before you even start unpacking, take note of anything that needs maintenance. At the end of the year, your room will be examined, and you will be charged for any damage. Always stay on top of your maintenance, starting from day one. The overhead light in my room didn’t work when I moved in so I submitted a maintenance request and it was fixed the next day.

Many people’s instinct is to pack in boxes, bins and crates. I would advise differently: I’ve found success packing clothes in huge garbage bags. Because the trash bags don’t maintain a constant shape, it allows more flexibility when piling everything into the car. Garbage bags are also easy to dispose of once your things are unpacked.

If you have clothes you’re planning to hang, put them into the garbage bags already on the hangers. That way, all you have to do is pull off the covering and hang them in your closet.

Another essential is power strips — especially if you are living in an older dorm. I lived in Hopkins Hall freshman year and the outlets were placed rather strangely throughout the room. Power strips were a lifesaver in terms of equipping my new home for all my new millennium needs.

While you’re probably currently stressing about gathering everything you need before your drive down to Champaign in a few weeks, I’m telling you not to fret. You should try to prepare as much as possible but understand that you probably won’t know what truly works in your room and what doesn’t until you get there and start filling the space.

You may find that, despite your extensive planning, you need something that you didn’t expect or think of. There are three Walmarts, two Meijers and a Target near campus, just to name a few, so you will surely be able to get ahold of whatever it is that you’re seeking.

Lastly, nothing about the way you set up your room on Move-in Day is set in stone. If you find a few days, weeks or months later that you no longer love the way your room is set up, it’s easy to change. The University wants your room to be as comfortable as possible so they will accommodate requests to reconfigure your layout.

Steffie is a sophomore in Media. She can be reached at [email protected].