Welcome Back to School!

Welcome back to school, University of Memphis students!  Have you participated in the welcome activities happening around campus.  Check out this great schedule below, and check out the U of M website for the rest of the schedule. 

6 Great College Packing Tips

Are you packing up to move back in?  Check out these great tips on how to make packing easier from home to college.  You can find out more  at College Fashion.

1. Keep Clothes on Hangers

You’ll save lots of time moving in if your hanging clothes stay on their hangers so all you have to do is fill your closet once you get there. I separate my clothes by type (short sleeve shirts, dresses, skirts, etc.), punch a small hole in the top of a garbage bag and slip the clothes into the bag with the hanger hooks coming through the top of the bag.

2. Pack Bedding in Your Pillowcase

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When you pack your bedding, it’s a great idea to slip the fitted sheet and top sheet inside the pillowcase so that you know everything is together and easy to grab when it’s time to change your sheets!

3. Pillows in Plastic Bags

Pack pillows in plastic bags in order to squeeze as much air out of them as possible. No need for vacuum bags — extra large Ziploc or other sturdy plastic bags will do just fine. Just make sure to squeeze the air out of your pillow then seal the bag.
On the other hand, if you have delicate furniture or boxes to pack, sometimes it’s best to leave the pillows fluffy and use them as natural padding.

4. Pack Your Purses and Luggage

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I find that it works best to pack as many things as I can into bags I’ll use during the semester. Keep in mind the fact that any boxes you take with you will need to be either stored or thrown away, so it’s a good idea to fill up as many everyday bags as you can. For instance, fill your backpack with all your school supplies, your suitcase with all your jeans, and a purse with all your makeup. Just make sure everything that can spill is tightly closed and put in a plastic bag first!

5. Secret Weapon: Cling Wrap

Cling Wrap is truly my packing secret weapon. Surprising, right? It works like a dream. Use it to:

• Keep DVDs neatly wrapped on a DVD stand or shelving unit. No unpacking required!
• Remember these jewelry storage ideas? Get everything organized at home and then wrap it up with Cling Wrap to keep it organized on the way to school.
• Shelving units that require assembly can be held together in transit with Cling Wrap. I use this for both my kitchen shelves and my closet shoe racks!

6. Be Smart About Packing the Car

Put heavy items on the bottom and build up from there. Once you have the big things in place, use softer items like clothes and bedding as cushioning between bulky items.

Moving Into Your College Apartment

 

1. Proper planning prevents problems. Be prepared with your vehicles (unless they are bringing them and that's why they got stuck helping you move!), boxes, tape, packing materials, blankets for car protection and maps to help them find your new home. The greatest goal when having friends take time out of their day to help you move is to make it easy on them, and show your gratitude as best as possible. Preparation helps this process.

2. Food! Have some fun snacks or meals on hand, depending on the duration of the move for your friends. Take into consideration what they like and will appreciate. (ie Don't buy pepperoni pizza for your vegan friends, etc.) Have beer for your drinking friends during the move, but be careful not to drink too much! Also, have plenty of water and cold, icy drinks for super hot days.

3. Don't expect them to be there all day. Some of your friends may be able to help you for just a little while and then will have to or even want to go about their day. Try to schedule friend-helping time to move large pieces of furniture that you won't be able to move without help.

4. Do a clean sweep before the move. You might not need a lot of those books you've been holding onto, and they are definitely heavy. It will help you and your friends in the long run if you donate some of the items you won't necessarily be using in your new home.

5. Let them know what to do during the actual move. No one wants to rifle through your things or assume which pieces go where. Help your friends know how to help you by giving them specific tasks to keep them busy and the move, well, moving!

6. Give them a token of your appreciation. This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to buy them a gift—just return the favor. Take them to the airport a few times, or offer a babysitting date night, or organize a lovely dinner party at your new home when it's all set up! Remember your friends' acts of generosity and let them know you appreciate them.

It is almost that time of year.  You need to ask your friends and family to help you move into your new apartment for school.  Friends and family are always willing to help, but here are some tips on how to make the experience a bit more enjoyable for them.  You can find more great apartment tips on apartment therapy .

Congratulations to our Summer Graduates!

 The University of Memphis will hold its summer commencement Sunday, Aug. 11, at 3 p.m. at FedExForum. The University will award a total of 701 degrees, including 45 doctorates, presented by Interim President Brad Martin.

The featured speaker will be Dr. Gladius Lewis, professor of engineering and recipient of the U of M’s 2013 Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award.

Lewis is an international leader in the field of orthopedic biomaterials and implant design.

Born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, he earned a BS degree in mechanical engineering from the University of London, England, and a PhD in materials science from the University of Nottingham, England.

Before joining the U of M in 1987, Lewis taught at Trent Polytechnic in England, the University of Zambia, the University of Zimbabwe and the University of Alabama at Huntsville. He was promoted to professor in 1993.

Lewis‘ work has been widely cited. His results have contributed to many improvements, including self-healing bone cements that are more fracture-resistant than current commercially available brands, and development of cements specifically for two widely used surgical methods for treating compression fractures of the spine. These advances may translate to an increase in the life of hip and knee implants, and improved stabilization and better restoration of fractured vertebrae.

For more information, visit www.memphis.edu/commencement.
Congratulations to all of our summer graduates! Their commencement ceremony will be this Saturday at 3pm at the FedExForum.  701 people will be graduating this Saturday from the University of Memphis.  Check out UofM for more information.