<p>So we are at about 1 month before move-in time. Any advice from OU veterans on the process? Timing? Things to be sure to bring. Things to be sure to leave home, etc.</p>
<p>Moved in last year and here’s what I remember:
1). There will be lots of traffic on Lindsey. Backed up for several blocks and it will take time. We used some side streets until we were closer to the dorms, then got onto Lindsey. Definitely a good decision. Ideally you’d like to get there early, but since move-in times are assigned, it’s difficult to influence in that way.
2). If you’re at all struggling with space, just remember you can buy things down in Norman after you’ve moved the majority of your things in. For example, we didn’t buy a trash can until we got to Norman. By that principle, you also should avoid bringing food and stuff like that. Absolutely no reason not to just buy it in Norman.
3). Don’t be afraid to rearrange the room. Closets, beds, everything can be moved so it works for your child and their roommate better. My roommate and I did last year and it definitely helped the functionality of our room.
4). Bring extension cords and power strips. I brought two of each and my roommate and I both used them. (If you have a lofted bed, an extension cord is very helpful for your laptop and phone charging)
5). Be friendly and don’t have anything later in the day to do. There will be a lot of people moving things in and out of the halls. It’s not an overwhelming amount though, so don’t be crazy
6). Be prepared for some surprises. I remember walking into my bathroom last year to see what it was like. I looked at the shower floor and saw a bottle of whiskey. Turns out my suitemates liked to party and had to hide it from their parents during move-in. Definitely was a shock haha.</p>
<p>Any other questions you have? I’ve got plenty more stuff, just can’t remember it since move-in was almost a year ago.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. We have only been on campus once or twice so knowing what roads to avoid is very helpful. Extension cords are another thing we did not consider (power strips, yes). </p>
<p>I’ll be sure to check the shower to make sure my kid is not hiding any whiskey. LOL. I wouldn’t care other than any risk of getting kicked out of school. </p>
<p>Is it worthwhile to get there very early and find a place to park and then look around until your assigned time?</p>
<p>I don’t know about that, unfortunately. I didn’t pay too much attention last year and don’t remember whether there was a time limit on parking or anything like that. I probably wouldn’t plan on getting there THAT early though. The move-in times aren’t that strict, so I’d just try and get there 15-20 minutes early than the assigned time (accounting for traffic) and try and move in. It worked for me last year.</p>
<p>I can’t remember if your child is NMF or not, but I think they might be? If so and they’re living on the 10th floor of Walker, be aware of the elevators. The elevators will be packed and have a tendency to break down. If you’re carrying light stuff and don’t mind walking, the stairs are a decent option to save time. The elevators will eventually get you to your destination though!</p>
<p>Yes. Thanks. That is where he will be. I was vainly hoping the 1st number was the 1st floor LOL. I don’t think there are many ‘heavy’ things to carry. Fridge and microwave are it. Maybe the siblings can each take a load up the stairs!</p>
<p>S1 probably expects to put stuff in his backpack and just dump them on the floor. Too bad NMF does not get to move in a day early! :)</p>
<p>Good questions, Torveaux. Thanks for the helpful advice, WoolScarves. My daughter is heading for Walker 10, also. Perhaps we should suggest to the NM office that priority move in would be a great perk for NMS. 
I expected traffic to be heavy but I’m concerned if it will be at all possible to find a parking space near the dorm. Do most people bring hand trucks to carry things up? Seriously, the elevators have a tendency to break down often?! That’s worrisome </p>
<p>I should probably clarify a few things:
1). Traffic on move in day is bad, but it’s not like you’ll be sitting there hours or anything. I just said it as something to take into account. You don’t need to plan your whole day around it.There is sufficient parking as well. OU has done this dozens of times before, you’ll be well taken care of.
2). Don’t be concerned about the elevators! People have a tendency to force the elevator doors open after they’ve already started closing. For whatever reason, this is particularly bad for Walker’s elevators, meaning that eventually the doors won’t close anymore. It’s not like you’ll get stuck! Your children will become well acquainted with the problems of the elevators soon enough. They were in the process of gradually replacing the elevators last year, so they might have finished by the end of this summer. In that case, I envy your children greatly.</p>
<p>ohmmom, I am curious about roommates. Did your child have someone already picked out or did she go with a randomly assigned one? S1 knew few people going and took random. They actually assigned him to another guy that is not too far away from here. For us that works great as they can ride together for weekends and holidays. They already met for lunch to start that sometimes painful process.</p>
<p>As it turns out, part of my ‘staff’ I was hoping to help haul stuff start school that week and will not make the trip. I sure hope the elevators are working! Let’s all pray for a bit more of this ‘Polar Vortex’ stuff in the middle of next month.</p>
<p>Thanks again Woolscarves. Us first-timers feel a lot better knowing about potential issues beforehand.</p>
<p>WoolScarves, thanks, that’s reassuring. So far my impression is that OU is surprisingly organized, but we’ve all had experiences where a large organizations organization was a pain in the rear. I’m hoping that all elevators will be replaced before move-in day. It sounds as if you are no longer in Walker?</p>
<p>Torveaux, my daughter has a friend from an out-of-state camp whom she will be rooming with. Last summer, they shared a rather small cabin with about 10 of their other friends for 7 weeks so we are assuming that they know what they are getting in to. It sounds as if your son is off to a good start with his roommate. Good luck with that. Whether random assignment or a friend, that’s a small space to share. I’m assuming that the party people don’t request the NMS floor so that’s one good indicator. We are praying that this cool weather stay for the rest of the summer … and then for a mild winter. Hey, it’s Oklahoma, we can at least pray.</p>
<p>Torveaux, are you out-of-state?</p>
<p>@ohmmom Correct. I am living in an off-campus apartment. I really enjoyed meeting people in the dorm and made great friends, but the lack of space in the dorms is a hassle. We made what I feel like was a really good decision in getting two four-person apartments right next to each other. It means I’m living next to my seven closest friends from the dorms, but I get the advantages of an apartment.</p>
<p>WoolScarves, I’m glad to hear that is working out for you. I think my D wants to move in to a furnished student apartment close by campus after her first year for more space. I haven’t compared numbers yet, but I suspect that the apartments will be less expensive than dorm and meal plan, especially since D likes to cook. </p>
<p>@ohmmom Technically we are out of state…North Texas. It is about a 3 hour drive from here.</p>
<p>Fortunately, he has dealt with a roommate in a small(er) dorm room before. This situation is already better. We haven’t really thought much about next year. Will have to see what he thinks about the dorms. I could see him being an RA or something like that in his future.</p>
<p>In my experience, the dorm space tends to be a bigger issue for women than men just due to clothing and such.</p>
<p>@ohmmom and @Torveaux just wondering if either of you considered paying for the 'express move in service"
<a href=“http://www.universityandstudentservices.com/universityofoklahoma.html”>http://www.universityandstudentservices.com/universityofoklahoma.html</a></p>
<p>I hope you’ll give a report of your move in experiences, even though this is still two years out for us I’m still curious as to how these things work. I’m also was wondering if they offer an express move out service? I didn’t see that listed.</p>
<p>I didn’t know there was an express move in service! It seems like a decent idea, but I definitely wouldn’t pay that much money for the service. At most it’d be worth $15-20 to me.</p>
<p>Moving out is super easy since not everyone is doing it at the same time. You just move out any time during finals week when you’re done with exams. For example, I was finished on a Wednesday afternoon, so I left Thursday morning. Others were still taking exam or had moved out early. I knew people that moved out as early as Tuesday morning or as late as Saturday around noon. It’s very, very easy to move out.</p>
<p>WoolScarves that may be the difference between a college student’s budget and a parent’s. The fee is about what I I paid bell hopes and valet parking on my last trip. Now if the $ was coming out of D’s pocket I’m sure she’d think it was worth along the same line as you have in mind, I however put a higher value on my time. I would really like to hear from anyone that uses this service or even sees it in action.</p>
<p>We are not going to use the move-in service. My D wants to keep her room as uncluttered as possible so she will only be taking the bare essentials. Because we live under an hour from campus, it will be easy to deliver anything else she decides she wants (and hopefully have a weekend brunch with her). I think it will be a learning experience for her to move herself, even if her Dad and I help her move. We do plan to rent a hand truck. </p>
<p>Torveaux, I think you are right about males, females and dorm size issues. When D saw the size of dorm closets, she decided that being closer to home was an attractive option so she could switch out clothes easily. Even so, I imagine she can manage with fewer clothes, shoes and accessories than many girls. </p>
<p>DW and S1 and D1 are on the way there today for registration or whatever today’s step is.</p>
<p>S1 also mentioned a Family Day thing for NMF. I don’t see anything on the website for that. Any clue?</p>
<p>Torveaux, there is a picnic for NMS. I <em>think</em> it is Saturday late afternoon but right now I can’t find the info and I don’t recall that a location was given. I <em>think</em> it was part of a letter/flyer with information about the weekend that my daughter showed me. It is mandatory attendance for the NMS students and the parents are invited. The hubs and I are planning to attend, but it is an easy drive for us. I hope that they will send out reminders/more information.</p>
<p>D registered in early June and it was very organized. I think it was for Honors College freshmen or for freshmen entering with certain scholarships. There were only about a dozen students registering that morning and they had an information session for parents. My D was thrilled with her schedule and I was pretty envious. She’s taking some very interesting classes. I hope your S is as happy with his schedule as my D. </p>