Moving into a new apartment is one of the most exciting times for Clemson students, moving into a place you can call your own, and make incredible memories with your friends, from throwing friends' birthday parties to late-night study sessions. The spotless apartments that make the transition so seamless don't just magically appear overnight, but result from the hardworking "turn" team.
"Turn" is the process that off-campus apartment communities go through to prepare units for their new residents once the previous residents move out. During this time, communities inspect, clean, and repair any maintenance issues or even replace damaged furniture in furnished apartments. The "turn" season lasts between late July, when past residents move out, and early August, when new residents move in. This season requires the utmost dedication and collaboration from the turn team that oftentimes includes part-timers, the maintenance team, and even outside contracted help to ensure the community is ready for move-in day.
This year, I had the chance to witness the "turn" season for the first time in Clemson. Walking through the off-campus communities, I saw staff members carrying heavy mattresses out of 3-story apartment buildings and riding on golf carts to different areas of the community, highlighting how much effort goes into transforming hundreds of apartments in just a few weeks.
The atmosphere is fast-paced, urgent and filled with teamwork. Maintenance teams hauled tools from unit to unit, while cleaning teams pressure-washed apartments. Despite the exhaustion, there was an incredible sense of pride for the staff for all their hard work, shaping college students' experience, and, for many, their first-ever apartment.
It struck me that while students and their parents decorate and settle into their new homes, many (and trust me, I am guilty of this too) never stop to think about the people who make their move-in transition as smooth and seamless as possible. Their dedication has given a whole new appreciation for move-in day.
To ease the season's stress and the intense South Carolina heat, the ApartmentsforClemson team surprised 30 local apartment communities with a visit from Frios Gourment Pops, handing out free popsicles to the incredibly hardworking staff.
Handing out free popsciles to the workers was a way of showing appreciation to the individuals who often go unnoticed, and their reactions were priceless. We created a fun break in the middle of a hectic workday, playing artists like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, and staff members were able to step away from the tools and checklist and enjoy a sweet treat like a banana-flavored popsicle, which was a popular choice among the crews and converse for a little while. This combination allowed for this break to be a real moment of celebration, and to capture this, ApartmentsForClemson took pictures with the staff and posted them on their Instagram to showcase hardworking individuals who make "turn" so seamless.
For a Clemson student, "turn" is more than just about having a clean apartment; it's about having a fresh start, which makes the space feel more welcoming. As well as trust that your appliances, utilities and locks work because of the care put into each apartment to ensure that it is up to par for move-in and have confidence if an issue does arise, you have a team who is ready to fix the issue and wants you to have an enjoyable experience.
"Turn" is a demanding season for apartment communities in Clemson, where staff work tirelessly around the clock to get apartments ready for new tenants to create memories on their college journeys. It is also a time that marks the start of a new beginning and community, so next time you are moving into your new home away from home, think of the hardworking people who made it possible.