It’s July, which means that fall move-in is approaching quickly! At Carolina Housing, we believe it’s never too early to prepare, and with that in mind, here are some tips from our staff to ensure you’ll be setting foot on campus with confidence this year!
I spoke with Jordan Cady, the Assistant Director for Assignments and she shared some very valuable information for students preparing for move-in.
Emma: What advice would you give to incoming first-year students and their families about how to prepare over the summer for a successful transition to living with Carolina Housing in the fall?
Jordan: Start by reading the Fall 2025 Move-in Guide which gives a great overview of what to expect on move-in day and how best to prepare! Students can also review our Recorded 360 Room Tours on the Carolina Housing website to get a feel for their space and how they might want to arrange their room. I would also recommend that students try to visualize what a day on campus would look like, what type of items would they use to get ready for the day, and what items they would enjoy having in their space in their downtime. This will help make sure you pack everything you need to make your space feel like home! Don’t stress about bringing it all at once though, sometimes you just need to see your space and live in it for a bit to make those last perfect touches.
Emma: What are some essential must-do's you would share to a first-year student and their families about living on campus and being prepared for the start of fall semester?
Jordan: Definitely attend as many of the Weeks of Welcome (WOW) events as you can. These are events held all over campus during the first two weeks of the semester that will get you excited to join the UNC community and help you to meet new people. I would also encourage students to make an effort to introduce themselves to their hallmates and neighbors early on in the semester. Some students find their community outside of their specific room or suite and meeting other students who live nearby, but not in the same room or suite with you, is a great way to start expanding your social circle.
Emma: What is one of the most common questions you get this time of year from parents and students?
Jordan: I think a lot of questions surround the logistics of move-in- Where do we park? Can we bring a second car? Can we leave campus to run to Target? Move-in feels like a mystery until you’ve experienced it for the first time. Yes, you may bring a second car if you need one, or even a trailer (although parking on campus with a trailer may not be so easy!). We will send an email to all residential students with the parking and unloading information for their building specifically, and once students get their room key they are free to come in and out of their hall and campus as they need to unpack and settle in.
Next up, I spoke with Cal Dunn, the Associate Program Director for Residential Services, about ResNET and internet for on-campus residents.
Emma: What advice would you give to incoming first-year students and their families about how to prepare over the summer for a successful transition to living with Carolina Housing in the fall? Are there any things you would advise students to leave behind?
Cal: Discuss the pros and cons of what technology you should and shouldn’t bring to campus. Most residence halls have their own Carolina Print Hub printers or can use one closely located nearby in their community. Game systems and TVs work great on our systems, so don’t hesitate to bring those to make your room as comfortable as you want. Residents should keep in mind there are several devices that do not work on network system, like Google Home and Smart Lights, and should not bring any items that are prohibited from using campus network.
Emma: How would you explain ResNET to students who may not be aware of what it is and how they can use it?
Cal: ResNET is a great place for any of your technical needs. Our RCCs are capable of not only getting your game consoles or TVs connected to the internet, but they can also help you out with getting your computer cleaned, troubleshooting other tech issues, or just providing helpful resources about technology. Residents are encouraged to drop by one of our weekly tech fairs hosted in different buildings each week.
Emma: What’s an essential must-do for students arriving on campus to ensure they have a smooth move-in transition, specifically when connecting devices to ResNET?
Cal: Residents who are looking to get connected when they get to campus can be proactive and accomplish several steps that will save them time when they get to campus. While phones and laptops can connect to eduroam easily, other devices like game consoles and TVs cannot use this network. They will need to use our annual PSK Network, which involves registering your device with our system before it will allow you to connect. The process is pretty straightforward and registering in advance will allow you to simply enter the password and connect once you get to campus.
Emma: Is there anything else you’d like students to know about ResNET?
Cal: Residents can get help from ResNET in many ways, but going to help.unc.edu is a great place to start! You can also find your nearest RCC by visiting resnet.unc.edu. If you are interested in gaming or just want to see what different amenities are around, the Carolina Gaming Arena will have a soft opening on August 22nd and 23rd and will be officially open on August 27th. ResNET loves collaborating with groups, whether that’s hosting an event in the Carolina Gaming Arena, or providing technology for programs, or residents who have suggestions on tech they would find useful in their halls. Our RCCs are excited to help you and get you connected this fall!
Finally, I spoke with our Carolina Housing Summer Interns, who have been OAs and RAs for Carolina Housing in the past. They both shared their insights not only as Carolina Housing staff but current students living on campus.
Emma: What advice would you give to incoming first-year students and their families about how to prepare over the summer for a successful transition to living with Carolina Housing in the fall?
Ayanna: Have a conversation about expectations regarding communication but also make sure to remember that this is a new world and you might not always be able to talk when you think. This is something that was big with freshmen when I was an RA.
McRae: Know how to do laundry. This may be a given, but unfortunately there have been multiple times where I called my mom, asking if certain materials would be ok in the dryer. I have had pants ruined because I made the mistake of not looking at the tag before washing/drying them.
Emma: Not only are you both currently students at Carolina, but you’ve both been RAs. Reflecting on your first year living on campus, what are some of the things you wish you brought with you for move in, and what are some things you wish you left at home?
Ayanna: I wish I brought were a humidifier, more business casual clothes, and very comfortable walking shoes.
McRae: I personally wish I brought more storage organizers. It's so easy to throw things in a drawer without thinking about it, especially if you're in a rush to be somewhere. Having desk organizers and storage bins made all the difference so that I had a quick and easy system to put all my things away. My freshman year I brought way too many plates and silverware. You only really need one of everything: one spoon, knife, fork, coffee mug, etc. It takes up less space, and you don't have to clean as many dishes!
Emma: What would you tell an incoming first-year student about how to make the most out of their move-in day? What can they do over the summer to prepare for this transition?
Ayanna: To make the most out of move-in day I would label your boxes/containers. That way when you’re taking things out of the vehicle, you know exactly where to put them, and it’ll be easier to find. I also think if you’re moving in with the help of multiple people you should pre-discuss who is going to get and unpack what; it makes it a lot easier. And a big plus is if you have your own dolly and/or cart because the residence halls have a limited number, and everyone wants one during move-in!
McRae: Have a game plan. Try to consolidate smaller things so that you don't need to take as many elevator trips. After getting all your stuff in, take the time to completely organize everything. Yes, it may be a bit tedious, but your future self will be thanking you. Pro tip: if you need a dolly or cart to move things in or a mallet to loft your bed, you can rent these items out from the service desks by giving them your PID!
Emma: What should students know about the role their RA plays in their residential community?
Ayanna: Your RA is a resource and a safe space. So, if you have any questions that are big, small, scary, or that you think might be silly, ask anyway!
McRae: As RA's we are here to support your adjustment to college life. Take the time to develop a relationship with your RA, it makes the difference for when you may need advice or even a friend to talk to.
I loved getting to speak with everyone and hear their move-in advice! It's never too early to start preparing for move-in, and these tips are an excellent resource as you start thinking about coming to Carolina in August to avoid the summer scaries. See you soon, Tar Heels!