Move-in day is a big one. For many students, it’s their first time living away from home. It’s exciting, a little overwhelming, and over before you know it.
But your start at the University of Southern Maine is bigger than a single day. The weeks that follow can help make campus feel like home. Here’s how to make the most of those first few weeks, from move-in day to finding your place at USM.
Before you arrive to campus
The smoothest move-in days start weeks ahead of time. A little prep can really go a long way.
1. Reach out to your roommate
Roommate assignments went out in early July and if you haven’t connected it, it’s a good idea to do so before you meet in person. A few honest conversations now can save a lot of friction later. Talk through the practical stuff: when you each go to bed and wake up, your study habits, how you want to set up the room, and who’s bringing what items. Cover guests too, so you start on the same page about your shared space. It might feel awkward, but do it anyway and you’ll be more likely to hit the ground running as roomies.
2. Pack light
A residence hall room is a shared space, and it fills up faster than you think. Bring what you need and keep the rest at home. Here’s the honest test: if you’re eyeing a U-Haul, that’s your cue to pare down. For the full rundown on what to bring and what is already provided, check out our what-to-bring guide.
3. Pack for the season you’re in
You can leave most of your winter wardrobe at home for now. Pack for early fall and swap in your cold-weather layers when you visit over midterms. Those drawers and closets get full fast, and your future self will thank you for the breathing room.
Move-in day
You have arrived. Here’s how the day flows and how to keep it moving.
1.
Go with the flow and lean on the volunteers
On move-in day the Gorham campus shifts to a one-way loop, so the usual routes will look a little different. Just follow the signs and the people. You will pass stations staffed with volunteers and student leaders at nearly every intersection, and their whole job is to welcome you, point you toward your hall and answer your questions. When in doubt, ask the nearest person in a USM shirt.
2.
Get to know your building before you load in
A few halls are set up differently, and it pays to know which one is yours. Upton-Hastings, and Robie have elevators and move-in carts ready to go. Anderson and Woodward are walk-ups, so plan to carry everything up the stairs and bring an extra set of hands if you can.
3.
Settle in and explore
With your keys in hand and the boxes upstairs, take a beat to look around. The dining hall is open, so walk through, meet the staff and ask about any dietary needs while you’re there. Campus sits close to both downtown Gorham and Portland, and plenty of families make an afternoon of it. Bring your student ID, too. Husky Perks gets you discounts at partner spots around town — a fun way to start feeling like a local.
Attend scheduled events and meetings
Some of the most important parts of your first days are the ones that are easy to shrug off. Lean into them instead.
1.
Go to your floor meeting and orientation events
On your first night, your resident assistant brings the floor together for a quick welcome. It’s worth being there to learn how your RA can help and get the lay of the land on hall policies. It’s also the easiest introduction you’ll get all year, since everyone in the room is brand new too. USM builds these moments on purpose, so show up and give yourself a head start. For more on what to expect, see our orientation preview.
2.
Take your roommate agreement seriously
Once you’re on campus, you and your roommate will fill out a roommate agreement with your RA. Give it some real thought. It puts the practical stuff on paper, from sleep schedules and laundry to how you want to raise an issue when one comes up.
New routines incoming
College comes with a lot of new freedom and responsibilities. Here is how to stay on track and own it.
1. Build a loose schedule
Time management is the single biggest adjustment for most first-year students. You don’t need a rigid, hour-by-hour plan, but finding a rhythm early on is key. Look at your week and block out time for the essentials: meals, laundry, studying, and sleep. The goal is consistency you can actually keep.
2. Keep up with housekeeping
Laundry is free on campus, so make it a weekly habit — sheets included. It’s a small routine that keeps your space clean and your roommate happy.
Ride the W curve
Settling into a new place takes time, and it’s normal for your feelings to change along the way. You might arrive excited and ready for something new, then feel a little homesick or overwhelmed once the excitement wears off. As you meet people, find your routines, and get more comfortable, those feelings often start to lift — only to dip again when a busy week, a tough class, or a reminder of home catches you off guard.
The student affairs team sometimes calls this the W curve because those ups and downs can follow the shape of a W. If your first weeks at USM feel a little like a roller coaster, that does not mean something is wrong. It means you are adjusting to a new chapter, just like many other students around you.
Find your people
Building your community can take some initiative, but it’s easier than you think.
1. Say yes to something new
The fastest way to meet people is to get out on campus. Visit Campus Groups to find out what’s happening, and put Husky Fest on your calendar. It’s one of the best early chances to sample clubs and organizations in one place. The Student Engagement and Belonging team keeps the calendar full all year, too. Just show up and see what sticks.
2. Open your door, literally
Two of the simplest community-builders cost nothing. Leave your door open when you’re hanging out in your room, and people will wander by and introduce themselves. When you’re restless, head to the common room. Nine times out of 10 someone is already there with a puzzle, a game, or a movie, and that’s all it takes to start.
3. Start your own thing
If nothing on the board grabs you, make the thing you wish existed. Want a Thursday-morning crochet circle, a lunch crew, or an early-run group? Knock on a few doors and ask. You might be surprised how many people are waiting for exactly that invitation. You don’t need anyone’s permission to start.
However your first six weeks unfold, know that the bumps are part of the process and your community is there when you’re ready to find it. Welcome to the pack.
