Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Dana Bekurs: This podcast is produced by members of the University of Alabama Parent Advisory Council and reflects the personal views, experiences and opinions of the hosts and guests. These views are independent and do not represent, reflect or speak on behalf of the University of Alabama, its administration, faculty, staff, or affiliated organizations. The content shared is for general informational and conversational purposes only. It is not intended to provide academic, medical, legal, financial or institutional advice. While we aim to share thoughtful and helpful perspectives, we make no guarantees regarding accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Listeners are encouraged to verify information independently and rely on official University of Alabama communications for policies, decisions, and guidance. Listening to this podcast is voluntary and any actions taken based on the content are done at your own discretion and risk.
Welcome to Parent Perspectives. Navigating the University of Alabama experience as a parent can be exciting, overwhelming and full of questions. And you don't have to do it alone. Parent Perspectives is a podcast by parents, for parents and with parents created to share real conversations, trusted insights, and firsthand experiences from those who've been there. Whether your student is Bama bound, settling into freshman year or finding their stride on campus, this is your go to source for all things Bama student related. From academics in campus life to traditions and the moments that matter most, we cover what parents want to know honestly and thoughtfully. Tune in and feel confident knowing you're part of a supportive Bama parent community.
[00:01:51] Roseann Rogers: Welcome to the UA Parent Perspective Podcast. Move In Day is one of the most exciting, memorable and sometimes overwhelming days of the college. Experience Experience.
Parents spend months preparing for it, but many still arrive with questions and want to know what to bring, what to expect and how to make the day go smoothly.
Today we're sharing practical move in tips and tricks from parents who have been through it. Our goal is to help families feel prepared, reduce stress and focus on enjoying this most important milestone. Before we talk about Move in now itself, let's start Start with preparation.
Jackie Looking back, what is the one thing every family should do before arriving on campus for Move in day?
[00:02:42] Jackie Wilson: So there's not a specific one thing but two things what I would recommend so the first thing to keep crowds down because everybody wants to go and help your student move in is have a packing party.
So allow the family members extended family to come in to the house and help them load the vehicles the night before. You can put some meat on the grill, go out to a nice dinner, but having a packing party.
The second thing is the mom bag. I believe heavily in my mom bag. I used my mom bag for move in and move outs. It is with my My cleaning supplies. I have snacks loaded in that. So it's kind of everything. And it literally says mom. It's a red and white bag. It says mom across the front.
The rooms and everything when we, when we moved in were clean, but it wasn't mom clean. So I had a couple of items, a roll of toilet tissue, things like that that we, in case someone needed to use the restroom. We had some waters, we had a couple of snacks. So the mom bag and a packing party is something that I would recommend everybody have.
[00:03:51] Roseann Rogers: Is there like a list or anything? Because the biggest concern for families is knowing what to pack. And you know, you might forget something at home and that's your biggest fear.
[00:03:59] Jackie Wilson: Don't be nervous about that because Tuscaloosa has lots of stores now. Some of the items may be limited, but you can pick up things that you may have accidentally left at home because it happens, it happens to the best of us.
So it's nothing to run out and just pick up a couple of things when you go out for lunch or something like that. So no worries there.
[00:04:25] Roseann Rogers: Okay, so what are some items families are glad they brought? And what are some things students often bring but never use? Jennifer, tackle that question. It's a two parter there for you.
[00:04:37] Jennifer Soloman: Well, first of all, I cannot reiterate enough. I call mine a go bag instead of a mom bag. And you're right. Snacks, waters, toilet paper, scissors. We ended up with two or three pair. We couldn't find any of them. At some point because it doesn't matter how organized you are, there's always that moment where something important is buried in a box that you just cannot find.
So go ahead and have that with you. Another big win is focusing on sleep and air quality. That doorbed is not luxurious.
Families are always glad they've invested in making it more comfortable. Things like a foam topper, a mattress pad, and even a step stool. Once you've added all that extra height to the bed for the room itself, keeping the air cool, dry and clean matters more than people expect. So moisture absorbers like the damp rid an air purifier and a good fan like a woozoo get constantly. Now, what do the students bring but Bradley use? I kind of blame the first one on parents.
Cleaning supplies. Parents tend to stock their room like it's a full house. Sprays, wipes, tools, you name it. But what we hear over and over is that students clean minimally. And it's when they happen to think about it. And they usually run out to target or publix and, you know, grab some wipes or something like that. Or they just wet a washcloth and wipe it off with that and call it clean.
You have to be okay with that. But I will say a plunger is of the things that, especially if you have a guy, they're going to need that.
So it's a random thing, but it's something that they do like to have. Winter clothes is another one. A couple of hoodies are really enough to get you through to the holidays. When you come back from Christmas break or Thanksgiving and you want to bring a few more winter items, that's fine. But out of the gate, a couple of hoodies really is all you need. And then there's decor. It's kind of interesting because it's important, but only if it's meaningful to the student. And I learned that the hard way.
What works best are items that help them feel at home in a small space. Maybe something from home, but also something new that reflects who they want to be. This year they are exploring new avenues for the first time. And so maybe they want a poster or a flag or something like that in their room to kind of honor what they're trying to become. But overdoing it or bringing things they think they'll just want usually just leads to clutter.
[00:06:55] Roseann Rogers: I couldn't agree with you more. Having a rising senior. I know what you're talking about.
What does move in day actually look like from the arrival to move in to completion? Jackie, can you think back what that's like?
[00:07:09] Jackie Wilson: Oh, yes, all too frequently, because it seems like every year somebody needs help moving in. So I've moved in a few students in my day.
So what you do is you have your move in time. So within that move in time, you and your student will drive up to. There's going to be like a tent outside right there on the sidewalk. Your student will jump out. They will check into the dorms. They will get their room keys, if there's individual keys, just depending on the room setup. And then you will. They'll say, okay, you can slide down. So you'll roll down just a little bit. And then there will be a little bit of control chaos.
So they will have volunteers out to help unload your vehicles. There is a maximum of two vehicles that you can have student moving in. And believe me, it unloads in about five minutes flat. They have the almost like a cardboard box on wheels. And so they will take everything out of the vehicles while you go in park. And they will take. The volunteers will take Everything with your student up to the dorm room. They will unpack those bins and take those bins back out. It's about 10 minutes, give or take, from the time you get there to their situated in their room, and then the unpacking begins.
[00:08:29] Roseann Rogers: When it begins, I'm curious too. The next challenge is of course, making the space functional. Wouldn't you say so, Jackie? Because you have all this stuff now it's in the room, and then you're like, what do we do next?
[00:08:41] Jackie Wilson: Do everything.
What my suggestion would be is anything that you have to put together, put it together before you get there. Yes. Have a small toolkit.
But make the bed last. Let your student make the bed and hang their own clothes up because that makes it feel a little bit more like home.
So do everything else and then put the clothes and make the bed. Let that be the last thing, because you can pile everything on top of the bed and then kind of move. Move in a. A chaotic rhythm.
[00:09:14] Roseann Rogers: You're like an expert. You've done this before. So now I these questions, you're like, I'm a pro at this. So what are the best resident hall setup tips and tricks that might make a student's room more comfortable and organized? Jennifer, do you tips for us on the tips and tricks of the dorm room?
[00:09:32] Jennifer Soloman: I probably should not admit this, but I did a PowerPoint presentation and I had the room to scale and I moved the furniture around. On my little presentation, I gave my son 40 different options so we could have it ready to go when we got there. And we get there, and he selected number 41. That wasn't on the PowerPoint deck at all, but it makes some parents feel like they're helping. But just know that's not really how things go. But in a small space, it could feel chaotic or comfortable, depending on how you set it up. So since every inch counts, I highly recommend to go vertical. The less you rely on floor space, the more open and organized that room is going to feel. So the first tip is to use the space under the bed. I always recommend raising it because it becomes prime storage real estate. You can fit drawer units, those big blue move in bags that you brought with you. The bulk items like the toilet paper and the drinks you rent by Costco and got or even store the desk chair if you bring your own underneath the bed. One of my favorite tricks is to use an extra curtain with zip ties and creates a simple bed skirt. It kind of hides everything underneath and instantly makes the room feel more polished. Next, you want to Maximize your usable space, especially in tight areas. So over the door hooks are an easy win.
Perfect for towels, backpacks, jackets, anything that would otherwise end up on the floor. For closets, obviously slimmer hangers, hanging organizers are helpful.
The closets have more room at the top than you may realize, so don't let that space get away.
And another simple but very impactful tip is to create a designated drop zone for essentials like keys and their phone, preferably with a charger, because having one consistent place to put them saves time and avoids that daily scramble on finding their keys. So focus on the essentials and leave some things undone on purpose. Let your student finish setting up their decor and electronics after you leave because it helps them create their own space and it also gives them something to do once you leave and things settle down.
[00:11:25] Roseann Rogers: That's amazing. Well, you know, this is also a chance for them to be more independent. And we've got logistics, we've got everything in the room. But let's talk about something a little different here. For many families, the emotional side of move in can be harder than the logistics itself, wouldn't you say, Jackie? When did you have an experience like that?
[00:11:43] Jackie Wilson: I did so with my oldest when she moved into the dorm. There was a lot of family there and I just really wanted like just a few minutes with me, her and dad to just say our goodbyes and nobody would leave.
So over overstaying their welcome is a thing. So with my second student there at ua, once it got to the point where it's time to put clothes up and after the bed was made and I said, okay, we're making your bed for the last time.
And that was it. Hugs, hugs.
I said, hey, go get you something to eat and then you can come back and put this stuff up later.
And then we went to Walmart.
And it was hard for me because I'm an emotional person. So it was hard for me to leave my student at the dorm the second time. So we left at Walmart. So they went one direction and we went towards the interstate. So that was me leaving them not on campus, but just leaving them at a place everybody goes to, Walmart. So we parted ways at Walmart after we loaded groceries and he was responsible for taking his own stuff.
[00:12:59] Roseann Rogers: Yeah, not a. Not a final goodbye, just I'll see you later.
[00:13:01] Jackie Wilson: Right?
[00:13:02] Roseann Rogers: Depending on if you're in state or out of state, you'll see you soon. Jennifer, what advice would you give parents who are struggling with the emotions of move in day? Because it is a real emotional It's a. It's a big.
[00:13:13] Jennifer Soloman: It really is.
So I'm just gonna say it out loud. Save the ugly cry for the car. Not at the dorm room, not at the Walmart parking lot. Save that for the car ride back.
But you're gonna feel everything at once. The pride, the excitement, the sadness, even nervousness. And that's completely normal. It's a big milestone for both you and your student.
So stay focused on the moment and the purpose of the day. Move in is about getting them set up and organized so they can launch into their first year successfully. Kind of channel that emotion into action by making the bed, organizing the rooms, getting things into place. There will be plenty of time later for you to wonder about classes, friendships, or whether they'll remember how to do laundry. So save those for a later time, but know that your student is feeling it too. Even if it doesn't look the same once you leave, it really hits them. It's on me now. Food does not magically appear. My favorite drink is not magically going to be restocked in my refrigerator. And nobody's here to remind me that I'm out of toothpaste or soap.
So the goal is to leave them feeling confident and capable, but not overwhelmed.
And finally, the most helpful thing is set clear expectations for communication and visit. Let's take time to let them know when you will see them again. It lets them know, hey, I'm going to see you at Thanksgiving or I'm going to see you at the next football game to kind of put those tight parameters around it. And it lets them know that you're transitioning, but mom will be back in a few weeks.
[00:14:36] Roseann Rogers: Well, you just brought something that made me think about this question is parents often wonder how long should they stay? How long is, you know, too short or too long? What's your perspective on that, Jennifer?
[00:14:51] Jennifer Soloman: Well, for us, we're a small family, and so we asked parents that wanted to be our grandparents that wanted to be involved. We asked them, hey, if you want to be involved, send him a gift card, because that's one of the things that he's going to miss.
He's going to forget something or he's going to want something new or special. So gift cards to target, Walmart, Publix, maybe he can treat himself to a snack or something like that. So when we got there, it was really just my husband and I. So it was really.
It wasn't too long. We got everything set up.
But you'll know when your son or daughter is ready for you to leave. Sometimes they'll point blank tell you but you'll figure it out.
Don't spend the night. I'll say that's too long.
[00:15:31] Roseann Rogers: I was waiting for that. I was waiting that. Do they stay the night? Maybe that's not what they should be doing. I think we have a lot of out of state families and I want to make sure we really focus on them to make sure they're taken care of. And some people are not familiar with Tuscaloosa. What should families know about the items they purchased locally if they realize they left something do you really assure that Tuscaloosa and the town has the supplies? Jackie, tell us about that and reassure those parents and families coming from out of state that they'll be taken care of and they have, they'll be, they'll have everything they need.
[00:16:03] Jackie Wilson: To put it simply, nothing is going to go to plan on move in day. Not realistically. But if you do leave something, there are several stores, there's home goods, there's Target, there's, I think there's a Marshalls there, there's $1,000 generals, there's Walma part just in the close part of Tuscaloosa. Then you have Northport which is about a 10 minute drive down the, you know, down the street. So and they have the exact same things there. So there's a wall. There's two Walmarts in Northport. One is a Walmart market and one is a Super center. And then 30 minutes from there on the south side going back down McFarland there's Centerville. They have a huge Walmart. So there's all sorts of untapped areas with plenty of items.
You don't have to be in a rush to get the items that day.
Let your student go pick out a couple of things. We have Sam's Club, Sam's Club membership, top tier.
So if and get your student a Sam's club membership.
And so there's all sorts of different retail locations where you can get things and you can still have things shipped to them after the fact if it's something that they left at home that they really really need.
[00:17:19] Roseann Rogers: It's so true. So you don't need to worry, no one needs to stress. You will get it all done and what you need now as we wrap up let's focus on what matters the most.
What is the one move in day mistake you would encourage parents to avoid? Jennifer, let's start with you do not
[00:17:37] Jennifer Soloman: buy things assuming that they will be used all four years. Most families Have a pile of must haves sitting unused in the garage from the previous year. So if you're packing, think practical, comfortable and intentional, not just in case. Also, if you're going to buy something, just assume it's disposable after that year. Don't spend too much on any one item.
[00:17:59] Roseann Rogers: I love that. Jackie, what about you?
[00:18:02] Jackie Wilson: I would say don't underestimate the weather.
Alabama is hot in the summertime especially move in day. It will be record temperatures that day. So be prepared to sweat a little bit. Stay hydrated.
It goes by quickly but it's so exciting. So that would be my one tip. Just be cautious of the weather and making sure you're staying hydrated.
[00:18:24] Roseann Rogers: Good, good advice. And finally, let's leave families with one piece of encouragement. What is the one thing you wish someone would have told you before your students move in day? Jennifer?
[00:18:36] Jennifer Soloman: They told me but I didn't believe them and it's how amazing the move in crew is in my mind. I cannot comprehend moving in thousands of of students in such a short amount of time. But the university does such a great job getting your student and all of their belongings straight to the room quickly. But for parents, one little tip is you do have to park further away and then walk and cat or catch a shuttle back. So don't make the mistake of holding on to items thinking oh I'll just carry this up myself. It sounds simple but it's kind of a headache.
[00:19:05] Roseann Rogers: I agree with you on that. Okay Jackie, what about you? What is the one thing you wish you know your students move in day that you wish someone had told you?
[00:19:15] Jackie Wilson: I wish I had listened a little bit closer with the decor items and not have spent as much money as Jennifer said a little bit earlier because there were things that oh, I've got it at move out and they don't got it and they get get left behind and some things were donated which we love, but just the amount of money on things that I still have in my garage right now from my now graduated seniors move in day. So I still have a headboard. I see. Like we're never going to use that again. So I've tried to donate it a couple of times but nobody has the same color scheme so everyone's different.
[00:20:00] Roseann Rogers: But at least we have resources. We remember the website parent and we hope this has really helped you. We thank you so much for joining this conversation about move in Day. Remember, the goal isn't to have the perfect move in. The goal is to help your student begin their college journey feeling supported, confident and ready to go. Take on for what's ahead. Take lots of pictures. Don't forget, selfies are good too. Enjoy the moment and know that you're not alone in this transition. Thanks so much for joining us on Parents Play Perspective Roll Tide.
[00:20:34] Dana Bekurs: Thanks for tuning in today for the latest episode of Parent Perspectives, brought to you by The University of Alabama Parent Advisory Council. Check out all our podcasts on voices.ua.edu. you can learn more about the Parent Advisory Council, Parent Perspectives and UA Parent and Family Programs on the UA Parent and Family Program's website at parents.ua.edu.
