Mistakes to avoid between freshman orientation and move in day

Caitlin Lamb

Freshman orientation is designed to leave you revved up and ready for the start of your college career. You've picked your first semester's courses, purchased some new spirit wear (or experienced the plethora of free t-shirts that await you in college), explored campus, gotten a taste of dorm life and maybe even met your future roommates.

Excited and anxious, you are surely ready to dive right in. But with nearly two months of summer vacation still ahead of you, you may want to think twice.

Here are a few mistakes to avoid making before you leave home:

1. Letting those hometown friendships slip away too quickly.

With the promise of countless new friends ahead, it's easy to start letting those old friendships fall to the wayside. But enjoy the time that you do have before you pack up and go your separate ways, and start making plans now to keep in touch when you're in school. With Skype, Facebook and smartphones, long-distance friendships are only an Internet connection away. Better yet, break out some stamps and send a note the old fashioned way-because who doesn't love getting letters?

2. Over purchasing for your dorm room.

Imagine moving into a large bathroom for a few months...and then imagine sharing that space with a roommate -- or three. For most of us, freshman year means experiencing famously small dorm rooms. While you will be tempted to buy every cute container, chair, lamp and wall decoration between now and move in day, keep in mind that you will still need some room for a bed in there somewhere.

3. Waiting until the last minute to buy the things you will need.

While overbuying is a bad idea, waiting to even look at that packing list they gave until mid-August might leave you in a frenzy. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to shop around for twin extra long sheets, the perfect shower caddy or a new laptop.

4. Avoiding important appointments.

Visiting the doctor or dentist during summer break is probably the last thing on your mind, but don't forget that you are moving across town, across the state or even across the country, and getting to the doctor while school is in won't be so easy. Scheduling appointments now with your normal doctor, eye doctor, dentist, etc. might help you avoid an emergency home visit during your first semester.

5. Letting your last free summer fly by.

Your future summers will likely be filled with internships, travel, job shadowing, summer classes and more. If you are lucky enough to find yourself with some free time on your hands now, enjoy it. Spend time with your family and friends, relax and do what makes you happy. Come August you start a new and exciting journey, but don't let this one slip away quite yet.

Caitlin Lamb is a contributing writer for USA TODAY COLLEGE and a Mass Communications student at Miami University. She is a writer for the Miami Student newspaper, and has worked as an intern for Cincinnati Magazine, where she wrote pieces for Cincinnati Home magazine, Cincinnati City Guide, and Cincinnati Baby Guide.

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This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.

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