Realizing you overpacked—by 6 suitcases.
REALIZING YOU OVERPACKED—BY 6 SUITCASES.
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Remember that first move-in day? The car crammed to the brim, a chaotic Tetris game played by stressed parents and an overly enthusiastic freshman. You thought you needed it all: three winter coats for a region that barely saw snow, a small library of unassigned readings, an espresso machine for a communal kitchen, and enough formal wear for a year of imaginary galas. Six suitcases. Maybe seven. Or was it just a very ambitious laundry basket and several awkwardly shaped boxes?
The sheer physical effort of hauling everything up those seemingly endless stairs, navigating narrow hallways, and then the crushing reality of your assigned shoebox-sized dorm room. Where was it all supposed to go? Suddenly, the meticulous packing list felt like a cruel joke. Every surface became a temporary storage unit, every drawer a black hole for forgotten necessities. You quickly learned the art of minimalist living, not by choice, but by necessity. Half those clothes never saw the light of day. Those "essential" books gathered dust.
But here's the thing: you weren't alone. We all did it. It was part of the grand, naive adventure of starting this incredible journey. That initial overwhelm, that shared laugh (or silent despair) with your roommate over the mountain of possessions, it was all part of the bonding. It taught you resourcefulness, patience, and eventually, the satisfying liberation of packing less for every subsequent move. It’s a badge of honor, really. A testament to our initial ambition and the rapid education in practicality that these institutions subtly deliver.