Making CIA Move-In a Piece of Cake… No Pun Intended
Author Madeleine White ’29 is a Food Business Management major.
In January I moved 10 hours away from home, with only four boxes, a suitcase, and a few bags. I stuffed everything I thought I would ever need into the back of my dad’s car. I worried that if I forgot something, my entire world would explode. This kind of anxiety is normal. While moving away from home will always have some sort of emotion tied to it, hopefully I have some advice that might help. Here is my guide to packing for CIA move-in!
Tip #1
Always make a list of essentials. Chargers, laptop, medication, wallet, keys, etc.
Tip #2
Bring staple pieces, you don’t need a million outfits especially because they might not fit comfortably in your room. This is my cautionary tale, as someone who definitely took too many clothes. Plan out the outfits you like and see if you can mix and match them.
Tip #3
Don’t focus on decorations, always get the necessities packed away before you plan out your cute room. However, I do think turning the room into your personal safe space is very important, just remember you can always buy it later.
Tip #4
Take what you can’t buy: personal belongings and sentimental items that deserve a spot in your luggage before toothpaste. Bring a travel bag of hygiene products and remember that the CIA shuttle goes to Target every Sunday if you need to buy or restock anything. Sincerely, someone who packed unnecessary bottles of soap and shampoo.
Tip #5
Find a friend! Whether someone is helping you move in, or you are travelling solo, make sure you meet your neighbors and say hi to those you pass. The Welcome Team will help get everything out of your car or Uber, and they are super excited to meet all of the new faces.
Tip #6
Less is more when it comes to space. Bringing only the necessities means more room and less you’ll need to clean. If you don’t use it, don’t bring it. Maintaining a clean space will help calm anxiety and stress, so make it easy for you to clean.
Tip #7
Read the student handbook! Make sure you do not bring anything that goes against the fire prevention rules we have set to ensure your safety.
Truly, moving into the CIA dorms was so much easier than I expected, and I wish I had known that. Just remember when you move in, don’t bring it if you can buy it, and don’t buy it if you wouldn’t have brought it. You don’t need all those gadgets people promote to college students; you truly will have everything you need if you plan accordingly.
Moving in is easy with the CIA Welcome Team!
Got Questions About Move-In? Ask a Current CIA Student
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