As August progresses, Wright State University students have started to prepare for the Fall academic semester to start. With this comes thousands of students moving back onto campus, with many moving in for the first time. Here is what you need to move in for move-in this year!
Timeslots to move in
For move-in, it is important to know what building you are moving into, as well as what your move-in timeslot is. You can find your housing assignment by visiting WINGS, and then navigating to “Student [Campus Services, Resources, Fees],” where Housing can be found under the first category (“Personal, Housing, Employment”).
You will then be able to access your housing assignment! It will tell you what building and room you are in, as well as who you are living with, if any. This includes roommates and suitemates.
Timeslots can be found here; they start at 8 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. If you are not available for these slots, it is essential that you contact Residence Life & Housing at housing@wright.edu.
All buildings have students moving in this year, including Jacob Hall, a dorm building within The Woods was out of commission for a few years due to fire damage.
Move-in essentials and advice
There is a lot of preparation that must be done to prepare for move-in. First, it is important to pack properly; for those moving onto campus from a shorter distance where you can comfortably visit home regularly, it may be best to pack only the essentials and then bring other “for fun” things in a few weeks.
Those coming from longer distances, including different states or countries, may have to be more considerate on what items they bring. A list of essential items to bring (and not to bring) can be found here.
Also, it is recommended you bring no more than two cars– and try to limit the number of family members you bring. There will be hundreds of students and their families moving onto campus at the same time as you, and you will all need to respect each other’s space.
Michael Allbright and Jennifer Attenweiler, the Associate Director and Director, respectively, sat down to discuss the essentials of move-in and what to know when coming onto campus. They have years of experience and are thoroughly aware of what can cause issues during move-in, including a crowded environment.
“[While] the entire family would enjoy that experience of the move-in process, your littlest kid brother and one of your grandpa’s might not be the best [people] to physically move items,” Allbright warned. “They can come later in the day or throughout the Welcome Weeks.”
“Just [be] conscious and aware of what you’re doing and what you’re bringing in.”
There are also plenty of students interested in helping you out during move-in, including members from RCA, or the Residential Community Association. They help with move-in, but also work to offer events and experiences throughout the year that students will not forget.
Residence Life and Housing also works with AARC, the African American Residential Caucus, and NRHH, or the National Residence Hall Honorary. While RCA has paid positions, all three are excellent ways to get involved with leadership on-campus. There are also community councils which can be found in each community on campus.
“[Community councils are] a great way for students to kind of get their feet wet and get to know other students living in their halls. It’s kind of like your own student government… for each community to make recommendations to the administrators about what they would like to see in their communities moving forward,” Attenweiler said.
“And we really listen and do some town halls, so we can understand the students’ experiences, and either fix things or improve things.”
One recent change includes Hamilton’s Halls basement renovation to be more recreational for this upcoming year.
Senior criminal justice major Alexandria Feckner has been a part of RCA for two years and has learned to understand how fulfilling it is being involved with Housing.
She was first interested in being an RA, where she learned about RCA and chose to join the organization instead of becoming an RA.
“It has [been] amazing, it has helped me gain a lot of leadership opportunities and experience different things that I wouldn’t if I wasn’t working in housing,” Feckner said.
While she helps with Operation Move-In and hosting events for first-years, it can be important to focus on upperclassmen as well, especially those moving into the apartments.
For those moving into the apartments for the first time, you may be stressed or overwhelmed as well. Living in apartments means that you will rely on others like in the dorms, but now you will most likely need to rely on yourself more as you learn to upkeep shared living spaces, buy and cook meals on your own and more.
“Remember that if you need the help, always ask for it. Being an adult on your own… is a lot, so always take those opportunities to ask [for help] like ‘How do I grocery shop?’ or ‘What should I get?’ And take advantage of what you have,” Feckner advised.
Students can always contact their RA, members of Housing and, of course, their own family members with questions and concerns as they get used to living on campus. It is generally recommended to contact a trained professional for advice on roommate disagreements and upkeep campus property.
For those unsure of what they can and cannot bring, a thorough list of approved items and appliances can be found here. For the most part, the dorms can hold simple appliances like rice cookers and toasters, while the apartments offer more freedom.
It is also recommended that you follow Residence Life and Housing on Instagram at @wsu_Housing and view the Wright Start Newsletter to receive more advice and tips and tricks going into next week.
How to mentally prepare
“I’d say the most stressful part is definitely the heat, it’s very hot on move-in, and also leaving your family and becoming your own person,” Feckner said.
From personal experience and many accounts, the heat can perhaps be the worst part of move-in. As of August 8, the temperature in Fairborn is going to be roughly 87 degrees. It is essential to prepare for the heat– wear loose clothing with few layers, pack plenty of water and find a shady place to rest when needed.
As for those who may be stressed about leaving their families, it is good to appreciate the time you have with them before you focus on college. Homesickness usually happens during the first few months of college, but there are many ways to stay calm and contact them if you are feeling down.
This includes phone calls, scheduled visits and more.
“Take a breath, you’re going to see them again, don’t worry. This is your first step into [independence] and growing as a person where you can explore yourself and learn new things about yourself,” Feckner said.
Try to stay open about meeting new people– making connections on-campus can help alleviate missing those at home.
“And so, you might be tempted to continue to text people from back home– and that’s okay! You need to keep those connections with family if you’re feeling homesick or things like that as well; but, just be open to meeting new people and creating a new friend group, and getting to know your fellow Raiders,” Attenweiler advised.
Also, it is essential that you contact and bond with your roommates and suitemates before moving in. A provided list of questions to ask and ways to get to know each other can be found at the bottom of this page.
“There are many things to discuss and coordinate, and living with a new person or group of people in a new place can present challenges. You and your roommates may become friends right away, or it may take some time. Getting a head start on that relationship can make things easier,” the website states.
What should you do after moving in?
Take life day-by-day after moving in. Things may be confusing or overwhelming, as a lot of things begin to happen after move-in, but it is important to stay calm, try to get involved when you can, and ultimately find a sense of belonging at WSU.
As for move-in day, WoW (Weeks of Welcome) will kick off your first weekend at WSU. The first event is Party with the PAL’s at 7 p.m. in the Hamilton Hall Plaza. PAL’s are Peer Academic Leaders, and will help you get used to living on-campus and being a university student!
You can find more events happening on-campus on Residence Life and Housing’s Engage page. Almost all events hosted on-campus can be found on Engage here.
It is important to stay calm, prepare properly, listen to those around you and get ready for a good year at WSU!
