It’s that time of the year – college students are returning to campus, which can be stressful. Whether packing up your childhood room to go to college for the first time or returning for your second year to a new dorm or apartment, there are many challenges that come with living on or near campus – such as limited space. being a major issue.
How can you make your move easier? Read on to find out!
- Make a List
Making a packing list is an essential step you can take. While it may seem tedious, this will help you in the long run and ensure that you remember everything. Making a list will also help you to have everything you need in front of you and see what you may need to buy.
- Coordinate With Your Roommates
Talk with your roommates before moving in. Does one of them already have a microwave? If so, the rest of you don’t need to bring one as well. Create a list of items you can all share and divvy them up, so you all know who is bringing what. Once you’ve brainstormed the list, go through and mark off what any of you already have, then assign the rest equally in terms of cost.
- Take Your Time
If you live close enough to the university that you’ll return home for breaks, only take the clothing items you’ll need until you go home again. You’ll be short on space in most dorm rooms and apartments, so leave cold weather garments and off-season sports equipment at home until you need it.
- Don’t Overspend
When looking at ads for college items, it can be tempting to want to overspend. Some items might seem necessary, but you likely won’t have the time or energy to use them. For example, you may think you need a Brita water filter, but when you think about it, when will you have time to fill it up? Will you use it regularly? Are there other places you can get water?
Remember, you can buy items while you’re in school, either on campus or from nearby stores. Waiting on some things will allow you to figure out what you do and don’t need. Not to mention that if you’re moving cross country for school, it might be more costly to bring items to school than it is to just buy them once you arrive.
- Ask Around
Join social media groups sponsored by your school and ask what items people used and didn’t use during their first year. This is a great way to talk to people who are going to your school and figure out what you need and don’t need. Having a conversation like this can also help ease some anxiety and nerves when trying to figure out what items you need., you will for sure be able to mooch off some people. This will save a ton of money and the hassle of going to the store. You can also ask around for some advice and try to figure out the item’s others used and didn’t use. This is a great way to talk to people who are going to your school and figuring out what you need and don’t need. Having a conversation like this can also help ease some anxiety and nerves when trying to figure out what items you will need.
If you hop on the groups early enough, you might happen across some graduating seniors trying to get rid of some of the items you need. Buying secondhand is a great way to save money. Just be careful when buying anything via Facebook Marketplace and the like.
- Use a Garbage Bag to Hold Clothing
You’re already on a tight budget, so you don’t want to make things more expensive by buying wardrobe boxes. While they aren’t as fancy and don’t stand up on their own, garbage bags can work just as well for your purposes. You can keep your clothing on a hanger by poking the hangers through the top of the bags. This is such a time saver as well. You won’t have to re-hang your clothes and you can even sort the clothing by bag!
- Schedule Your Move-In With Your Roommates
Have roommates? Try to find a time when no one else is moving in. This will ensure doorways are clear and parking is more accessible. It will also greatly reduce stress, as not everyone is moving in at the same time. Talk about chaotic!
Moving away from home by yourself is stressful. Use these tips to manage the move and your stress levels so you can focus on getting to know your new surroundings, making friends, and settling into a studying groove. If you’re moving cross country for school, it might make more sense to hire a moving company than to try to do it all yourself. Call your local Wheaton agent to talk about your options. Going off to college is already a stressful transition in your life; don’t let moving make it worse!
