It was a hectic day at Georgian College in Barrie’s north end on Sunday as students from all over Ontario and beyond descended on the local campus residence as part of the school’s annual move-in event.
To help the day run smoothly, campus staff and an army of 40 yellow-shirted student volunteers assisted with the lugging of boxes and bags filled with belongings the new residents will need for the new school year.
It was also a day for students to meet their new roommates.
Students had to book a one hour time-slot prior to moving in, to help with the amount of traffic and congestion during the event.
A relaxed-looking Jordan Jackson, a first-year student from Mount Forest, was waiting in line outside the building with his parents and his boxes of belongings, described the move-in to BarrieToday as “a little messy, but no worries.”
Nicki Browning, of Fenelon Falls, was there helping her daughter, Molly, who is a first-year law clerk student.
“It’s an emotional day,” she said as she describes how she is feeling about her daughter leaving home for the first time.
“I’m nervous, excited, devastated, terrified, but she’s ready for it and I’m excited for her. I’ll miss having her in the house. It’s going to be quieter," Browning added.
Sarah Chisholm, from Lindsay, is taking an interior design program. This is her third year of moving in at the campus residence and she’s now a pro at it.
“I’m getting more efficient each year at moving in,” she said.
At the start of her first year at the school as a new student, Chisholm packed most of her belongings into bags, instead of boxes, which she says takes a lot more trips and time when it comes to the move-in.
Her advice for new students?
“Get as many boxes as you can get your hands on, and bringing two dollies is usually the best way to do it, so you can pile them on and get them into the room, because unpacking takes the most amount of time," Chisholm said.
“It’s easier moving in if you are bringing in just the essentials the first time you arrive, and then if you can get back home and bring back some more comfort items afterwards,” she added. “Make sure you make a list of everything that you need.”
Calvin Payne, a nursing student who was helping as a volunteer throughout the day offered one simple piece of advice — “get an air fryer.”
