As the summer break draws to a close, thousands of college students are set to return to the Fargo-Moorhead metro area in less than two weeks. Institutions, including Concordia College and North Dakota State University (NDSU), are preparing for a busy move-in period, aiming to create a welcoming environment for both new and returning students.
At Concordia College, the student-led orientation team is actively working to assist first-time students. Martam Gregoire, a senior at Concordia, recalls his own positive experience with orientation leaders during his freshman year. “They were super high energy. They were really welcoming. I immediately felt at ease being at Concordia because they were so great,” Gregoire said. Now, he is committed to providing similar support to incoming students.
The university is relying on a dedicated group of volunteers, including students and staff, to ensure that move-in day runs smoothly. Sunet Rubalcava from Concordia’s Center for Student Success emphasized the importance of connecting students with campus resources. “The first year of college is always the hardest one, so we want to make sure that we help the students connect with different campus resources,” Rubalcava explained.
Moving can be a source of anxiety for both students and parents. Rian Nostrum, director of Residence Life at NDSU, shared several tips to ease the transition. He advises students to label their boxes for better organization and to utilize campus maps instead of relying on Google Maps. Additionally, he recommends leaving nonessential items at home, particularly for those living nearby.
“We joke with them that some of you are just… can’t wait. You’ve got the remodel plan in place for that room, and now it’s going to be the man cave or things like that,” Nostrum noted. “But regardless of their outwardly appearing emotions, we know that this is an emotional time.” He added, “I tell the students all the time, I love being distracted by you. I can do my work later, but to be able to interact with you is why I do what I do. And so I’m excited to have them all back.”
The scheduled move-in dates for area campuses are as follows: Minnesota State University Moorhead on August 21, 2024; NDSU on August 23, 2024; and Concordia College on August 24, 2024. As these institutions prepare for the influx of students, the emphasis on community and support underscores the importance of making these transitions as smooth as possible.
