Moving to College Guide

How to Move to College

Moving into a dorm room for the first time is probably going to be one of the biggest things most college students have ever done. There are many details to read and remember and many things to organize and plan.

Students will need to separate the things they can’t or shouldn’t take with them from the things they absolutely must have with them while they’re at college. And, knowing that most dorm rooms are about the size of a postage stamp, the amount of belongings you can take is pretty limited. On moving day, everything should be completely ready, except for putting everything into the car and then unloading it at your destination.

Preparing to Move a Few Tips from the Guide

Students should receive letters and/or emails from the college’s Housing Office that are meant to help with the pre-move preparations. Read everything. You’ll need to know every detail so that, when it’s time to begin making decisions, preparing, and packing, you’re ready to take on the task. Not only are students moving out on their own for the first time, this might even be the first time you’ve moved at all, so it’s natural to feel nervous or even a bit scared.

You can go to discount stores and/or department stores to find what you need. It’s best to create lists for each important category such as bedding and linens, cleaning items, and health and toiletries.

• Pay close attention to what the university tells you to bring. You’ll need to save space where little exists. If you live fairly close to home, it shouldn’t be a problem if you forget something or bring an item you won’t need. However, the farther away you live, the less you should pack.
• Make plenty of lists. Not only do you need lists to make sure you get everything at the store, but you should also track tasks to make sure you aren’t having to do everything in the last week and you could track by priority some of the items you want to bring with you but might not need. Put these items in separate boxes so that, if it seems cramped in your new room, you can send that box back home.
• As you are looking at the items you need to buy, remember to keep them small. You should consider making sure any larger items can fold up so they can be stored away.
• Coordinate with your new roommate about who will bring what, especially if you need to furnish the room. There’s no need (or room) for two coffee makers or microwaves. You bring some items you can share, and they will bring the other items to be shared. Discuss decor as well, if you want the room to be decorated as a whole.
• Weed out the clothing you’re leaving behind. Your closet is going to be small. Take clothing for late-summer and fall and consider leaving the rest home. You won’t need full winter clothing right away unless you live in a very cold climate and you can always switch out your clothes when you go back home. Additionally, you can probably skip the rows of fancy footwear you’ve collected for the time being. Unless you are going to a private school with balls and parties every night (Where are you going?), consider saving your closet space for something more practical.
• As the big day draws nearer, you can start buying (or better yet, getting for free from the local Walmart or Kroger) moving boxes. Don’t worry about lugging heavy suitcases full of your clothing — gather your clothing on its hangers and wrap heavy rubber bands around the tops of several. Then slide a large trash back up over the clothing and tie the top around the hangers. Repeat for each batch of clothing you’re taking. If you’re looking for boxes, ask at the warehouse section or customer service of a local big box store; they’ll often let you pick some up on whatever their delivery day is.
• Put together a kit with first-aid healthcare items. Depending on your family’s and your preference, take OTC medications or natural healthcare items with you. Your first aid items should include antibiotic cream, bandages, gauze, tape to secure the gauze, and bandages. Even if there’s a nurse on campus, you’ll save a lot of time dealing with small issues if you keep these items on hand.
• Don’t forget to wash your new sheets and towels. Once you’ve washed and dried them, they will smell like home and they will also feel much softer.

Check out the entire guide by visiting https://universityhq.org/resources/college-planning-guide/moving-college/