Manuel Lopez | Staff Illustrator

Moving between semesters is weird. Not good or bad, just a little bit weird. Finding a new space and living with new people can make the fall and spring semesters feel even more distinct than they already are. My junior year, I moved homes in between semesters; in the fall I lived on Limit Avenue behind the Lofts, and in the spring, my apartment was on McPherson Avenue. It was a planned move and made the most sense for me given my housing situation at the end of sophomore year. Moving between semesters can be a pain or a joy, and for me, it was both at different times. There is not a ton of time to adjust, but there lies the chance of getting to meet new people and explore a new neighborhood. Below are some tips, based on my experiences, that will hopefully help you with you too. 

Tour the places you are going to live in: 

This seems obvious, but it is critical. Before you decide where you are going to live, make sure that you have seen more than just pictures. It is especially helpful to have a feel of the space you are going to be living in before you get there. Take note of the layout, the size of your bed, the size of the kitchen, and anything else that is especially important to you. Make sure to ask the landlord about rent, maintenance, and any other questions you may have. When I toured my spring semester, I kept asking myself “what if” over and over again to generate questions for different situations. It might seem excessive, but I would recommend you walk from the apartment you are touring to campus to get a feel for what the walk would look like and how long it would take.Try to maximize your time and learn the most you can before you officially commit. 

Walk when you can:

I did not have a car my fall semester, but I did have one spring semester, and I really regret how much I drove to school. Feeling totally comfortable in a new space with new surroundings takes me a while, and walking everywhere is the easiest way to achieve that. Walking gives you a chance to slow down and take in your surroundings, even if it means braving the elements for a little while longer. I used my walks to school to call my family or friends from home. When I did walk, I also got a chance to see what my neighborhood looked like at different times during the day; a place feels different at night then it does when the sun is high in the sky. The biggest reason to walk, and maybe this doesn’t have anything to do with moving between semesters, is to be grateful, to press pause on the hustle of school and reminisce in your thoughts about life. 

Make sure you know how to pay rent:

Money is super weird, and it can easily become really stressful. Before you move into a new apartment, make sure you know exactly how much rent is going to be, and, if you’re living with roommates, who is responsible for paying it each month. I did this, and it made paying rent much easier and not a source of tension, which was a real blessing. It can definitely be awkward to talk about money with other people, especially your friends, but planning these conversations early is both a necessary and convenient way to break the ice. If you live with people long enough, you are sure to have some awkward conversations, so they might as well happen before you begin living together! 

Pack light:

I failed at this, epically. There is only so much you need for a semester of college, and moving sucks. Before you move into your fall semester place, make sure to label and separate the boxes you plan on bringing with you and the boxes you can leave in storage. Talk to your future roommates ahead of time about appliances and items like cleaning supplies so that you do not end up accidentally bringing extra. When it is time to unpack, I recommend doing so in a way that is easy to pack up again. A semester really flies by, so being ready to pack quickly can save you a lot of time and energy. 

Reach out to your roommates (if you don’t already know them) before you move in:

Make sure you know the people you are going to be living with, even if it is only for one semester. I didn’t do this for my spring semester roommates, and it was a little awkward for all of us. My words of wisdom: the first time you meet someone should probably not be when you move in with them. Maybe find a time when you can grab lunch with them on campus and try to find common interests you may share. If you really hit it off, go see a movie with them. Basically create some kind of shared experience so that when you do live together, it doesn’t feel like you are on a blind date (except in this one you are both stuck in the relationship regardless of how the date goes). Even during the first few weeks of the semester, make time to hang out together as roommates to build that connection, so that in case something goes wrong, you feel comfortable enough to reach out to them. 

Find a rhythm:

I recommend developing habits and getting into a rhythm as soon as possible, especially when you’re moving somewhere between semesters. That move will take you out of your rhythm, and being in a new space means new routines. Think about what you want your mornings to look like and what you want to do at the end of the day to help you wind down. Finding spaces for all of your things and cherishing these little moments of routine can unlock the experience and provide you with a strong sense of belonging in your home. For me, it is relaxing and soothing to know that I am going back to the same place to do similar things most days. Developing strong habits for living in a new space can help you set a baseline for what living in this space is going to feel and look like on a day-to-day level.