Although summertime has just begun and students have plenty of time to relax, eager nü Reedies count the days until they can move into their new homes. Because new student move-in day is in 10 weeks, here is a list of 10 things to finish or accomplish before trekking to Portland in August. Okay, some of them are kind of a stretch, but they’re all activities or to-dos work thinking about.
Fun Fact: When making a list, I always include “Write a list” just so that I can cross it off.
- PLEASE DO YOUR SUMMER READING. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Nothing is sadder than a freshly-arrived freshman spending Orientation week in the residence halls, scanning frantically through complex texts instead of A) carefully reading them during the summer and B) enjoying the fun festivities of O-Week. Wait… there is something sadder: being the ill-prepared student in the Hum 110 conference who blabs something incorrect about the summer reading and receives skeptical blank stares from classmates. Ouch.
- Work on your tan. Portland seems sunny when you first arrive in August, but the colder winter months will revert your golden glow to a pasty paleness. This might be the last time for a long time to maintain a tan.
- Spend time with your family, friends, pets, enemies etc. You don’t know when you’ll get the chance to see them again. Besides Skyping. Or Facetiming. But you get my point.
- Clean out your closet, bookshelf, or video game collection. It will make moving and packing way easier if you lessen the amount of stuff you own. Alternatively, separate the items you want to bring to Reed and the items that should be left home. No, you do not need to bring all seven Harry Potter books; you won’t have time to read them anyway (see #8).
- Check your email frequently! The Res Life, Business Office, and O-Week staffs may need to contact you over the next few weeks as we prepare the campus for new students.
- Buy a pair of headphones, because they are a college essential! Whether it’s for being respectful to your roommate’s sensitivity to noise or for blasting your favorite study tunes in the library, a sturdy set of headphones helps keep the music in and the “haters” out. For more college essentials, check out our other blog post!
- Catch up on doctor’s appointments. When was the last time you saw your dentist? Your optometrist? If you’re in need of a regular check up, book an appointment during the summer instead of waiting for a mid-year break to visit the doc.
- Read for fun. Yes, you should spend some quality time with Gilgamesh, but try to sink your teeth into some just-for-fun reads. During the academic year, it is difficult to fit in reading for pleasure when students face so many assigned readings.
- Save up some fun spending funds. When you settle in at Reed, you will want to have some extra cash for trips to the food carts, bus rides downtown, and (too many) purchases at Powell’s Books.
- Say your goodbyes and pack up! What do you mean you’re not ready? You’ve had all summer to get things in order. Come on! Reed can’t wait to welcome you home!
