Getting Settled at Lang: Your Post Move-In Game Plan

Summer marks the start of your time at Lang, and whether you’re already enjoying your new apartment in Newark or counting down the weeks until you return for fall, this is the perfect moment to get organized and set yourself up for a smooth semester.

Move-in day may (or may not) be behind you, but getting fully settled takes a little more planning. Taking care of a few key details now can make a big difference in how comfortable, functional, and stress-free your apartment feels once your routine picks up.

Start with the Basics: Your Resident Account

One of the most important first steps is making sure your Rent Café account is set up and ready to go. If you received your setup email but haven’t logged in yet, now is the time.

Rent Café is your central hub throughout the year. You’ll use it to:

  • Pay rent securely and on time
  • Track your payment history
  • Submit maintenance requests quickly and easily

Getting familiar with the platform early helps avoid last-minute issues once the semester gets busy.

Think Ahead: What Does Your Apartment Need?

Residents coming from out of state generally like to plan in advance so they have everything they need for move-in day.   Even residents who live nearby who may have begun an initial move-in process, may realize there are a few things missing that make daily life easier. Whether you’re living in your apartment now or returning to town later in the summer, planning ahead ensures you’re not scrambling in August.

If you have roommates, this is also a great time to coordinate. Dividing up shared items like cleaning supplies, kitchen essentials, and living room furniture can save money and prevent duplicate purchases.

Use the Essentials Checklist as Your Guide

To make things easier, we’ve created a comprehensive Apartment Essentials Checklist to help you cover all the basics. From kitchen must-haves to bedroom setup, it’s designed to help you think through everything you might need.

A few commonly overlooked items include:

  • Cleaning supplies and basic tools for upkeep
  • Extra lighting like lamps for better functionality
  • Kitchen basics beyond just dishes, such as storage containers and utensils
  • Laundry supplies and organization items
  • Small but important extras like extension cords, flashlights, and batteries

Even if you don’t need everything right away, having a plan helps you build a more comfortable and complete living space over time.

Set Yourself Up for the Semester

The more prepared your apartment is now, the easier your transition into the academic year will be. A well-equipped space supports better routines, reduces stress, and helps you focus on what matters, whether that’s classes, work, or simply enjoying your time in Newark.

If you’re away for the summer, consider using the linked checklist of what to bring back with you in August so nothing gets left behind.

Welcome to the Lang Community

We’re excited to have you here and look forward to being part of your experience this year. Whether this is your first apartment or your next step at Lang, we’re here to help make your living experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

If you’d like to print the full essentials list, click the link below for a downloadable PDF:

Apartment Essentials Checklist

 

Welcome to Your Lang Apartment – What’s Next?

Now that July is here, your new Lang apartment is officially yours! Whether you’ve already moved in and are soaking up summer in Newark—or you’re spending the break at home and planning to return in August—we’re excited to welcome you to the Lang community.

Even though the heavy lifting (aka move-in day!) might be behind you, there are still a few things to think about to make sure your apartment is comfortable, functional, and fully ready for the school year ahead.

A Quick Reminder: Stay Connected

By now, you should have received an email with instructions for setting up your Rent Café account. If you haven’t already, be sure to get your login set up. Rent Café is your go-to platform for:

  • Paying rent easily and securely
  • Viewing your payment history and ledger
  • Submitting maintenance requests should something need fixing

Getting familiar with Rent Café now will help you stay on top of things throughout the year.

Planning Ahead: Apartment Essentials

Whether you’re already living at Lang full-time or planning to return closer to fall, this is a great time to start thinking about what your apartment still needs. If you’re living with roommates, coordinating now can save everyone time, money, and space.

We’ve put together a checklist of items you’ll likely want in your new home. Feel free to use this as a guide for what to bring, buy, or divide up among roommates.  The list is available as a pdf at the bottom of this article, for easy printing.

Apartment Essentials Checklist

Miscellaneous:

  • Garbage bags/cans
  • Replacement light bulbs
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Broom & dustpan
  • Bucket & mop
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Vacuum
  • Flashlight
  • Extension cords
  • TV
  • Scissors
  • Snow shovel/snow removal tool (if you’re bringing a car)

Bathroom:

  • Plunger
  • Shower curtain/liner/rings
  • Toilet paper
  • Bath mat
  • Towels
  • Trash can
  • Shower caddy

Living Room:

  • Table and chairs
  • Lamps
  • Sofa
  • Rug
  • Curtain rods and curtains (Note: apartments come with blinds)

Kitchen:

  • Tableware & flatware
  • Dish & dishwasher detergent
  • Dish towels
  • Oven mitts/pot holders
  • Pots and pans
  • Coffee maker
  • Toaster
  • Food storage containers
  • Cooking utensils
  • Can opener
  • Paper towels
  • Condiments

Laundry:

  • Laundry detergent
  • Hamper or laundry bag

Bedroom:

  • Curtain rods and curtains (apartments include blinds)
  • Bed, box spring, and mattress
  • Sheets, pillowcases, pillows, and blankets
  • Hangers
  • Nightstand
  • Lamp
  • Desk

Taking time now to make sure your space is fully equipped will help you feel more at home and make day-to-day life more comfortable—whether you’re living at Lang this summer or returning for the school year.

We’re thrilled to have you as part of the Lang community and can’t wait for everything this year will bring. Welcome home!

If you’d like to print the essentials list, click the link below for a pdf.

Apartment Essentials Checklist

Your Guide to a Smooth Summer Move

Whether you’re saying goodbye to your Lang apartment, settling in for another year, or getting ready to move in for the first time — summer is a time of transition, and we’re here to help make yours a smooth one.

 

If You’ve Just Moved Out…

 

Congratulations! Whether you’ve graduated or are headed to a new home, you’ve wrapped up your time at Lang — and we hope it was a great one. Now that move-out is behind you, it’s time to think about what’s next for your stuff.

  • Moving back home? Start sorting what really needs to come with you — and what doesn’t. For the items you no longer need, consider donating gently used furniture and decor to the Goodwill in Newark or posting on UD Parents Connect: Furniture Buy & Sell to find your items a second life.
  • Moving to another apartment? Think ahead about how your current belongings will fit into your new space. If you’re short on room, you might want to store items in a garage or local storage facility until you’re more settled.
  • Don’t want to move it at all? That’s valid too — now is a great time to sell or donate larger items instead of dragging them from one place to another. Again, consider donating gently used furniture and decor to the Goodwill in Newark or posting on UD Parents Connect: Furniture Buy & Sell to find your items a second life.

If You’re Staying in the Same Apartment…

 

Staying put is the ultimate moving win — but it’s still the perfect time to do a mid-year refresh, so take advantage.

  • Reorganize your space to make it more functional for your upcoming year. Clear out drawers, tidy storage areas, and rethink what you actually use.
  • Welcoming a new roommate? Make space for them now to avoid clutter later. A fresh start helps everyone feel more at home.
  • Lost a roommate? Time to reassess shared items and responsibilities. A little rebalancing now can make the months ahead smoother.

If You’re New to Lang…

 

Welcome! We’re so glad you’ll be living with us. While you’re waiting for move-in day, a little planning now can make a huge difference later.

  • Coordinate with your roommates about who’s bringing what — think kitchen gear, cleaning supplies, or living room furniture. (Trust us, you don’t need three toasters.)
  • Start a checklist of essentials and nice-to-haves. We’ll include a full list in next month’s newsletter to help you cover all the bases.
  • Make move-in plans early. Know your date, talk to your roommates about timing, and think ahead about how you’ll get your things here.

 

No matter where this summer takes you, we hope your move — big or small — sets you up for a great next chapter. And if you ever need anything from us, we’re just a phone call or email away.