aval (Alumni) A week before orientation is the general recommendation from most upperclassmen. Gives you time to get housing set up, find the grocery store, and start adjusting to the humidity before classes begin.
iyerr (Student) Different experience than aval (Alumni) though. Make sure your housing is confirmed before you book your flight. Arriving on island without a confirmed place to stay is a stressful situation you want to avoid.
fontaineb594 (Alumni) Two weeks early is even better if your schedule allows it. The adjustment from wherever you're coming from to island life is real and having buffer time before academic pressure hits makes a meaningful difference.
sabubakar (Alumni) Different experience than fontaineb594 (Alumni) though. If you arrive early you'll catch the tail end of the outgoing semester students. They're often selling furniture, kitchen items, and supplies at discounted prices before they leave.
lnair (Alumni) Orientation itself covers a lot of logistical ground but it moves fast. Arriving early so you're not still sorting out basic living arrangements during orientation week helps you actually absorb the content.
mlewis (Alumni) Building on what sabubakar (Alumni) mentioned. Island time is a real phenomenon. Things move slower here than you're probably used to. Banking, groceries, admin. Arriving early with patience is the right combination.
