It’s hard to believe, but summer is quickly passing by, and we’re already less than a month away from the start of students moving to college campuses all across the country!
Whether you’re a freshman student moving to a dorm for the first time or a returning student moving into dorms, apartments, or off-campus housing, now is the time to start preparing for your move so you’re not left scrambling at the last second. As the experts in moving, we know all about planning ahead and making moving checklists to get ready for a move, so we want to pass some of that knowledge to those getting ready for a college move to help them tackle the big day!
“Pack a bag of essentials that will be needed right away. Items like toiletries, a change of clothes, and important documents are good things to consider,” said Multi-Unit Wisconsin Franchisee Tim Lightner.
“This will save time and stress during the initial hours of moving in. Second, label all boxes clearly with their contents and the room they belong to, so unloading and organizing is more efficient. Third, plan for parking and unloading logistics ahead of time, as campus move-in days can be hectic. Knowing where to park and having a strategy for unloading can make the process smoother and faster."
Below, we covered a few important areas to consider when getting ready for a move back to campus to help take the stress out of the process and make it an enjoyable experience!
Build A Moving Plan
Any move will become easier if a moving plan is created beforehand. Make a checklist of everything you plan to take, what needs to be packed up, and write down all the important dates you need to remember leading up to moving day. You can check things off as you go to keep you on track and make sure you’re not forgetting anything important.
Check The Layout of Your New Living Space
Whether it’s a dorm room or a normal room, you’ll want to get an idea of the dimensions before you show up. Obviously, if it’s a smaller room or you’ll be sharing a room with people, you won’t want to overpack and bring too many belongings.
Figure Out What Others Are Bringing
College living usually requires sharing a space with others, so it’s important to talk to your roommates and figure out who is bringing what so you don’t double up on items. Figure out plans for furniture and appliances, like a microwave or fridge, and decide who is bringing a TV to make sure you have everything set before everyone arrives.
Decide What’s Important and What Can Stay at Home
It can be easy to get carried away when packing for college and bring more than you need. Look at everything you’re packing up and determine if it’s really needed and essential, or if it can stay home with your family. This will prevent you from moving too many things and cluttering up the dorm or living space!
Pack Items That Feel Like Home
Moving away – especially if it’s your first time – can feel daunting. Pack a couple of things that make your room feel like home, whether it’s a picture of friends and family or bringing a favorite pillow or blanket. A little piece of home like this can go a long way in settling into college!
Bring The Basics
Sure, you want to make your room look nice, but don’t forget the basics! When packing up to leave for college, be sure you have things like cleaning supplies, storage bins, trash bags and trash cans, hygiene products, first aid, and extension cords. They’re not the most exciting items to pack, but they’ll go a long way.
If you have a college move planned in the coming weeks and need help with the moving or packing, reach out to your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise by clicking here!
