Tips for Transitioning to BYU-I Women’s Housing as a Freshman

Moving into student housing for the first time is a big change. You’re stepping into a new routine and environment, and it’s normal to need some time to adjust.

Living with other women adds its own layer of excitement, along with its own learning curve. If you’re not familiar with sharing a space with someone else, whether with a roommate or a sister, this can take some getting used to. However, with the right approach, you can work out a routine together so that no one is tripping over each other for shower times or counter space. 

This article shares tips that can help make your transition easier, so you feel more at home during your first semester. 

Meet Your Roommates Early

Introduce yourself to your roommates as soon as you can. Share your name and where you’re from, then ask what they’re into. Maybe you both love board games and end up joining a game group night together on campus. Small things like this can turn into real friendships. 

You might also find that early introductions make your space feel more comfortable from the start, and having conversations early can help everyone get to know each other better, so you don’t feel like strangers around each other all semester. 

Pack What You Need

When you’re preparing for your first semester of college, it’s tempting to pack everything just in case. You don’t have to bring your entire room, though. Start with the essentials: bedding, toiletries, cleaning materials, and school supplies. 

• Bedding: Check your apartment’s bed size. If it’s a Twin XL, buy sheets in that size. Bring a cozy comforter and your favorite pillows to ease homesickness. 
• Bathroom basics: A shower caddy makes it easier to organize your things in a shared bathroom. Pack your towels and favorite shampoo and conditioner together. 
• Cleaning materials: A small trash can and a pack of cleaning wipes will help you keep the apartment tidy. 
• School supplies: Bring what you already use for staying on top of assignments, such as a planner and index cards. 

Check in with your roommates before you arrive, too. If someone already has a toaster that they’re willing to share, that’s one less thing to pack. 

Set Expectations Early

Once you’ve broken the ice, sit down and talk through how you’ll actually share the apartment. These conversations can feel awkward at first, but they save you time and prevent tension from building up later.

Here are some basics to cover: 

• Swap your class schedules. If you have an 8 a.m. class every Tuesday, your roommates will know why you need to wind down early on Monday nights. 
• Ask questions like whether they prefer a text or a knock before you walk into their bedroom. It might seem small, but guessing wrong could mean walking in and interrupting a phone call they didn’t want anyone to hear. 
• Decide early who’s on trash duty. It’s easy to forget until the bin’s overflowing and pickup is already tomorrow morning. Rotate it weekly so it doesn’t gradually become one roommate’s job. 

Take Your Time Making Friends 

Friendships don’t have to happen instantly, and it’s completely normal to take time to find your people. It might take a few tries, but surrounding yourself with people you genuinely connect with makes the rest of college a lot more fun. 

If you meet someone in your biology class who’s cramming for the same exam, you might invite them to study together. Maybe that one study session turns into a weekly thing, and by the end of the semester you’ll have a close friendship. 

Saying yes to invitations that push you out of your comfort zone can also help you find your people. Maybe that’s a walk to campus with a neighbor you just met. 

Ask for Help When You Need It

No one starts college already knowing their way around campus. If you’re unsure about something, it’s okay to reach out to roommates or others around you for help. Ask your roommate if they know what hours the complex hot tubs are open. Or ask your professor where a classroom is on campus if you’re lost. 

Even something as small as figuring out how the laundry machines work is worth asking about instead of guessing. Reaching out early means you won’t be stuck trying to figure out everything on your own. Living in BYU-I women’s student housing means there’s almost always someone nearby who’s been through it before. 

Give Yourself Time to Adjust

It’s normal to feel homesick after moving onto campus, especially at first. Missing your own bed or not knowing where everything is can hit harder than you expect. 

Adjusting to a new space isn’t always easy, but being patient with the process can make a big difference. Most students feel settled in after a few weeks, once the faces in the hallway become familiar and getting to class doesn’t require a map. 

As you grow more comfortable and confident, your first year starts to feel less like an adjustment and more like the beginning of somewhere you belong. 

Contact Us for Women’s Housing at NorthPoint Apartments

Living in the right environment can make your freshman transition easier. At NorthPoint Apartments, we offer BYU-I approved women’s housing designed to support students as they settle into college life and find their footing during that first semester. 

Reach out today to check availability or to schedule a tour of our apartments for women.