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 at an apartment with a study space. 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 complexes go through to prepare a rental property for their new residents once the previous residents move out. During this time, complexes clean, repair and upgrade older apartments in renovated, luxury apartments in Clemson. 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 matience team and even outside help to ensure the complex 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 complexes, I saw staff members carrying heavy mattresses out of three-story apartment buildings and riding on golf carts to different property areas, 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. Some staff said that they had to "turn" a multitude of apartments without additional help and get apartments ready for early move-in. 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 off campus near Clemson University.
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.