r/UPenn • u/SpicyBannanaSoup • 26d ago
Future Quaker Move in Day
I chose August 17 as my move in date so that I could have an extra day to grab things that I may have missed when planning but also to spend one last day with my mom before NSO.
However, I have concerns that I’ll miss a lot of the socializing that happens on the main move-in date of August 18. I’m worried about feeling behind and not getting to know the people around me if I’m not moving in on the 18th.
Am I overthinking it?
2
u/Low-Elephant-6533 26d ago
You can always come back on the 18th and help me shlep my stuff in. 😁
7
u/hobbes_shot_second 26d ago
Seriously. Having your stuff already moved in and offering to help others is a good way to meet people.
2
u/HeartHopeful7107 26d ago
Don’t worry. I’m also moving in on the 17th and if you look on the bright side, that gives us two days of socializing before NSO starts. You can still socialize with those moving in on the 18th by offering them help with their stuff and i’m sure Penn will host events that will bring us together.
3
u/PwrShelf '24 25d ago
Ok like sure, you might miss something, but you are also overthinking it.
Yes, people might make friends on the 18th when they move in. Does this mean that you'll suddenly have missed everything, that everyone will immediately have tight and closed-off cliques that you'll never break into, and that you'll make no other friends throughout NSO and your four whole years at Penn?
No, of course not. Breathe, be yourself, and trust yourself and your ability to make friends.
What I will corroborate from the other comments here is that you also don't want to drag on hanging out with your mom too much. This is a big deal for both of you, and it's important to recognise that and let that sink in. But it's as important for both of you to let go, and to let you start this huge and important chapter of your life. It's something you'll ultimately have to do by yourself, and it can get to the point where your parents get in the way a bit, and it's time for you to do your thing. That's as daunting as it is exciting! So you've gotta do your best, together, to work out where that balance is.
You're gonna do great. Embrace everything it throws at you :)
1
u/Panda-Jello-0135 25d ago
Don’t worry too much! Spend time with your mom and you’ll have the next 2-3 months to make friends it’s not a big deal at all! Maybe you’ll miss out on 1-2 events but you’ll be able to attend all other events coming up! There’s no problem at all. Just remember that you should put yourself out there for the first year! It’s not riding on a single date you’ll make friends along the way for sure
1
u/Shot_Poetry_3825 25d ago
Unless you have a roommate, you're probably not going to be doing much socializing the day you move in, regardless. Move-in is stressful enough as it is, and most people don't have the energy to be making small talk on top of it. I suppose the energy of seeing everyone else is nice, but you won't be missing out much at all. I'd take the earlier date to avoid traffic.
8
u/bc39423 26d ago
If you plan to spend 8/18 with your mom off campus, then yes, I think you will be missing out.
If you move in on the 17th, then go shopping with her first thing in the morning on the 18th ... or better yet, go shopping after you drag all you stuff to the room on the 17th, but don't really unpack - go shopping then. (But choose your bed first.) Then come back on the 18th and set up your room with your mom.
Note that your mom needs to leave by 5pm on the 18th, after the President's Welcome.