Moving to college is one of the most exciting adventures you can embark on. A little independence is great for personal development, and having easy access to the abundant resources MTSU provides its students can be a game-changer for your college experience. Not to mention the social benefits of living with your classmates!

I remember when I first moved into a dorm my freshman year. The first few days were incredible, setting up my room, meeting new people, and exploring campus. After those couple of days, however, reality set in: I now have to be more responsible for my own well-being.

That sounds a lot scarier than it really is. Once you get a handle on things and establish your routine, taking care of yourself is a piece of cake!

Laundry

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Ah, laundry. You can’t push it off, as you definitely did not bring enough clothes for a new outfit every day for the entire semester. Parents love this one, as for many, it is a major “told you so” moment when they receive a call asking for instructions.

Fear not, though! We’ve got you. Each floor of every dorm typically has its own laundry room. They’re free for residents to use, so don’t worry about keeping coins on hand.

Washing machines in residence halls are front-loading, so make sure to pick up some high-efficiency liquid detergent (NO PODS!) meant for these types of washers. Oh, and some dryer sheets for the dryer, of course.

Major pro tip: set a timer on your phone once you put clothes into the machines, and leave your name and number on a whiteboard, if they’re provided. These machines are shared with other residents, so don’t leave your laundry and keep others from using them!

Food

MTSU Photo by Andy Heidt

Contrary to popular belief, a lot of freshman students actually eat less than they do at home. The combination of a packed schedule and a new environment means that your life will be pretty hectic in the beginning.

All freshmen living on campus are required to have a five- or seven-day meal plan, so half of the problem is taken care of. The options are pretty sweet, too. From Pizza Hut and Starbucks to Farmer’s Market and Bento Sushi, you are covered for every craving!

Give yourself enough time before, between, and after classes to eat a meal. Nothing is worse than getting “hangry” 15 minutes into an hour-and-a-half lecture. I’ve been there, trust me.

Outside of your meals, however, it would be a good idea to grab a few healthy snacks and drinks for your dorm room. Keeping your body fueled for late-night study sessions is essential, and nothing can motivate you quite like your favorite snack.

Mail

Photo by Erica Steeves on Unsplash

Did you know that MTSU has its own post office? Even better, did you know that you have a mailbox at that post office?

If you have any packages or letters you need to pick up or send, head to the bottom floor of the Keathley University Center, where friendly faces will help take care of your postal needs.

While you will not be notified if you receive a letter, you will receive a message if a package for you is ever delivered. If you receive one of these messages, simply take your Blue ID to the office and pick up your package. You never know when you might receive an important piece of mail, so check your box regularly on your way to class!

To receive your campus mailing address, log in to PipelineMT and select “MTSU Post Office Box and Combination” under “Personal Information.”

Health

Students work the exercise machines at the Campus Recreation Center at MTSU. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

“Taking care of yourself” applies especially to your health. Whether it be going to Student Health Services when you’re sick or picking up a prescription, visiting Counseling Services, or attending a fitness class at the Campus Recreation Center, MTSU has everything you need to stay healthy during the school year.

The cost of basic office visits at Student Health Services are covered by your school fees, so if you aren’t feeling well, stop by and get checked out. Being sick at college is no fun, as you miss out on the fun things going on around campus and missing class is always very tough.

Counseling Services is another great resource for students going through this stressful period of life. Trained counselors are there to talk to you, so don’t be afraid to visit!

To keep in good physical health, our state-of-the-art Campus Recreation Center makes exercise fun. With over 30 weekly group classes and equipment for any sort of workout regimen, you can accomplish all of your fitness goals on-campus.

Don’t forget about the intramural sports that the Rec offers, either. Playing in these leagues means that you’ll meet a lot of other students, all while getting a workout in!

Keep in touch!

Lastly, make sure that you keep in touch with the people you care about back home. It can be easy to get caught up in your busy schedule, but take a few minutes each week to reach out to family members and friends. They would love to hear all about how things are going at school, so write a letter, make a phone call, or send a text to your people. Make their day!

Author Kobe Hermann is a senior at MTSU, majoring in management in the Jones College of Business and minoring in economics and business administration. The views and opinions expressed above are his own.