Coly Volunteering During Move-in

Zachs Reflcations

‍Last week, I had the opportunity to volunteer for something that has always brought me excitement: college move-in.

I’ve always said that college can be one of the most rewarding, challenging, exciting, and nerve-wracking times in a person’s life. And it all begins with moving your life to a campus alongside thousands of other students.

That move might be a few miles away or thousands. It might involve a U-Haul (good luck!), or a simple suitcase and backpack. It might include parents, siblings, and a whole team of supporters, or it might mean arriving on your own.

Everyone’s journey to campus looks different.

What stood out most wasn’t the physical work of moving boxes, unloading cars, or navigatingcrowded residence halls. It was the connection.

At both universities, hundreds of students, staff, alumni, and volunteers came together to welcome the next generation of students to campus.

They weren’t just helping people move in. They were helping create a first impression, ease some nerves, and make students feel like they belonged.As someone who has spent the last 10 years working in higher education, it was a powerful reminder that the impact of the college experience doesn’t end at graduation. The relationships, memories, and sense of community we build in college can stay with us for a lifetime.Sometimes, all it takes is a helping someone carry a box to remember just how meaningful that experience can be.