Doing College Move-In Day the Right Way

Move-In Day (or Weekend) has an extremely special place in my heart because it signifies the start of something transformative, particularly for first-generation college students and their families. I still remember the day our mom dropped my twin and me off for what would be some of the most life-changing years of our young adult life. We were the first in our family to go to college, and it meant my mom would be leaving, not one, but two children in a remote town 7 hours from home for four years. Only God knows what my mom was thinking the day she dropped us off, but I am sure glad she came along for the ride.

My twin joined the Corps of Cadets, so her move-in time was different than mine. I was the first to get dropped off at my residence hall. I waited in a LONG line of students to pick up my room key. While I stood in line, I saw students and their families arriving in their trucks and cars and starting to unload. My anxiety began to go out the roof as I started to see the type of items students were unloading. Organizers upon organizers of stuff, televisions, microwaves, refrigerators, bedding - everything I eventually came to know as "stuff for college". I immediately questioned my place at Texas A&M. I thought, "I cannot even pack right for college, what makes me think I can do college?"  I hate that I always get these small voices of doubt in my head when it comes to doing something different, something uncomfortable, and out of the ordinary for my family. But I also appreciate the level of confidence my humble beginnings as a migrant farmworker instilled in me. I let myself get into these doubts, but then I find the courage to push them aside and keep moving forward! If I could work 8hrs for 6 days in the dead of the heat, then I can do this! So, I recentered my energies and focused on the day's mission - to move in!

Eventually, I got my room key and made my way to my room on the fourth floor of the residence hall. By the time I got there, my family had already taken all my belongings up four flights of stairs. Next up, was my twin. We got to the Corps of Cadets drop-off area where current students took my sister's belongings and escorted us to her room. They briefly showed families the residence halls and corps area, and then they were asked to leave! Oh my gosh, we lost it! Haha. You mean we cannot help her set up her room? You mean we can't go have lunch with her? You mean I won't see her at all today?! (I might be exaggerating, but felt like ripping a band-aid off!). I was so close to my sister that this would be the first time I would not see her for a consecutive number of days.

(My mom after climbing those four flights of stairs with my belongings: an organizer, a pillow, my San Marcos blanket, detergent, my backpack, and what looks like two boxes, and I think a large duffle bag of clothing)

My mom and I decided to head back to my room and set it up before she had to hit the road back home. It was a rough experience, but very eye-opening. We were not prepared for the abrupt separation. I think we thought that we would be, but we weren't, and I don't think any family is, much less first-generation families. I remember my mom telling us how she drove in tears the entire way back home - 7hrs, in tears. She had just let go of one daughter to the army a year ago, and now she had to let go of two. I am sure it was hard on her, and I am sure it still is.

Nonetheless, college move-in day for me signifies discomfort, heartache, challenge, and humility. There is no one right way to do college move-in day. With the help of administrators and current students, the level of anxiety and separation can be managed for both student and family. Today, when I am able to make it to move-in days as a volunteer, I look for those students and families who might need a little pep talk during the process to help alleviate those anxieties.

Graduate School and Food Insecurity

This post is really about my new understanding of food insecurity. Of the four institutions, I have worked at and been a student, Michigan State University has by far the best food pantry students could ask for. Growing up my family experienced food insecurity in different ways. We participated in and benefitted from programs such as food stamps, WIC, and EBT (all the same, I know). Anyhow, as a migrant farmworker, I grew up with messages such as "we were poor, which meant we probably did not eat well, which also meant we were not educated" (just some labels I internalized growing up). Therefore, I learned that food pantries were for poor, uneducated people.

After years of reconciling with the labels I grew up to hate, I have come to accept my past as a form of education and awareness. In my first year of graduate school, I learned that students may qualify for food stamps (WOAH, my mind was blown! side note: I learned this from the students I worked with). Therefore, when I decided to go back to school, I knew I wanted to explore all the ways in which I would be able to save money and make smart decisions. After a few months of living on a graduate student stipend and trying to keep up with the eating habits I created when I was a working professional, I realized I could not do that without some assistance. I applied for food stamps and qualified for $15 a month for groceries. I know what you are thinking, "That is not enough for a week of groceries" or "Food stamps is only for poor people".  One thing we often forget to realize is that college students are poor and need help, especially with the rising costs of higher education. With these $15, I decided to participate with MSU's food pantry. (Ya'll, the amount of food that we are able to receive through this program is insane!)

First, the food pantry is open every two weeks (I believe) or twice a month.

Second, to participate, you must be an enrolled student at MSU. Just bring your ID and academic schedule.

Third, they have standard products everyone has access to, and you get to choose how many of each you would like or would like to pass on. There is a standard number for each product we can take.

Fourth, there is a selection of fresh produce, bread, dairy, and other items you can select from on a first-come, first-serve basis.

My first experience with the process was overwhelming. Food insecurity is the limited access to nutritious and safe foods and the uncertainty of being able to acquire food (Nord & Prell, 2007). Surely, I did not experience food insecurity, or so I thought. My assumption was that because I had experience working full time and had a "job" then I would never experience food insecurity. After learning more about food insecurity, I came to understand how I, in fact, did not have access to good food because there were a few items I could not afford food, or there were moments where I would try to save money by eating everything in my cabinet first before going shopping even if that meant eating a can of beans for dinner (which I love doing, I love beans!). But is that healthy eating I thought? I dug deeper in my understanding of food insecurity and realized that my experience with food insecurity was similar to that of growing up. We did not have access to most healthy foods and we also had moments of "Let's see what's in the kitchen for dinner - ramen it is!" (We loved ramen growing up! But who doesn't?!). Food insecurity was that too - easy, quick, and inexpensive! So even though we might have had food in our kitchen, it was not the most healthy, and what's even more unfortunate is that these governmental food assistance programs only cover the most basic, often times unhealthy food options.

So, with a campus food pantry that had access to some healthy options, I decided to share my new found appreciation and understanding of the food pantry with my other graduate friends who were in the same boat as me - trying to save money, trying to eat healthy, and trying to meal prep. I say, if you are considering going back to school and are worried about maintaining a healthy eating lifestyle, consider if the school you intend on applying to has an accessible food pantry and look into governmental food assistance programs. I get my most basic needs with food stamps (which I may discontinue in the future - another conversation) and supplement it with what I get at the food pantry.

Below is a picture of one night's collection at the food pantry. Milk, apple juice, a WHOLE dozen of eggs (side note: I almost cried at the thought of being able to take a full carton of eggs home, I think the student staff might have thought I was overreacting, but this was my first time too), MSU Dairy Cheese (the best!), beans, corn, a can of Rotel (made me some mean cabbage soup with it #noms), chicken noodle soup (which I supplemented with a grilled cheese sandwich), peanut butter (which I ate with bananas, apples, and overnight oatmeal), raisins, peaches, applesauce, snack bars, Ritz crackers, and Oreos (mind you, we do not need to get all of this). I would have left the cookies and ritz crackers, but I also like to be considerate of my sweet tooth and snack tooth. I do not believe in diets, so I tend to have my sodium and sugars in moderation. But as you can see, I can supplement this with some spinach, rice, and protein, like chicken.

I share this story (1) to be honest about my own experiences with food insecurity and (2) to humanize the experience of food pantries and food assistance programs. It is my strong believe that there are communities out there, specifically communities of color and poor families, who need access to programs like these while at the same time deserve access to healthy food options. So my question to you is: Have you experienced food insecurity growing up, as a student, and/or as a professional?