Dos and Don’ts for Moving to College
It is never too early to begin to think about your fall college move. Incoming new students are especially excited about their new adventure and challenge. Colleges send out acceptance letters early; before you know it, you must be ready to move into your new college space.
Get Ready for a Great Adventure!
Time spent in college is one of the most memorable times of your life, so find ways to enjoy it at every turn. Decorating your dorm room or a college house with friends can be one of the most fun things you will do. Packing is a separate issue.
You may think the hardest part of packing for college is figuring out where to live and what to pack, but as it turns out, how to pack for college is equally important (if not more so). Moving into student housing can have plenty of challenges, and it certainly requires a degree of resourcefulness.
If you are a freshman or a first-year student, check with the university or college to make sure you know their housing policy. Even some state universities have housing “dos and don’ts” in place. Once you know where you are living, packing becomes much simpler.
For most students, the task at hand is to fit a whole lot of “favorite” stuff in a small, shared space and make it look nice, organized, and fun. For that, you need to have a strategy. This is where the following list comes in to help.
You will find some helpful tips for packing.
Use this list as a reference guide and something to build on as you create your own list. Consider it your College 101 Packing Guide.
Begin with a Plan. Don’t grab a bunch of random items out of your room to pack. Instead, take time to think through the things you will need, want, and enjoy. Chances are you will pack things that you really don’t need but that’s okay. You can pack them back home later. Here’s an ultimate college packing list of the essentials you many want to consider.
Do Your Research. Dorms come with all sorts of different layouts. So, check to see the configuration of yours. You will need the latest information because this will help you start building your packing list.
Also, when it comes to residence halls, you want to know if you will be sharing your room with another student or in a “student pod” where at least three others are involved. Either way, you probably will be sharing not only a room but also a bathroom.
You will need to bring your own bedding and supplies like sheets and blankets. Consider all the amenities your residence hall has before starting your packing list! For example: will you have access to a small kitchen area or laundry?
Roommate Etiquette: Living in Harmony
Contact Future Roommate(s). Most all new incoming students have to room with someone else. Roommates can be blessings or rarely curses. Get to know yours, if you can, before your move-in date. Talking things through is a great way to divide up the list of dorm room essentials and even set up some ground rules.
Know that some people aren’t the sharing type. This means you may need to make sure you have your own things, like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and snacks.
Maximize Your Space. There are tricks (and you will learn them) to get the most space out of your dorm room. Today’s dorm rooms are not as small as they once were. In fact, some provide very livable, spacious areas, but they definitely have their limitations.
You will want to take advantage of things like under-the-bed organizaters and storage tubs along with hanging closet organizers for shoes. This is called finding more storage space for your things without sacrificing floorspace!
Add Your Personal Taste to Your Room. Today’s dorms are newer and nicer than they were a few years ago. Donors and alumni give to see that dorm buildings are updated and inviting. But they are still very plain—neutral walls and the basics when it comes to desk areas and beds.
This is why you will want to add personal touches to room, so it feels like “home.” But it goes without saying that you need to consider your roommate and what she or he may want. A winning rule of thought is to avoid putting up anything that can make someone uncomfortable or offened. You don’t have to share the same decorating style as your roommate, but it works better if you know what works for them or not.
Make Sure You Have a Tool Kit. You never know when you’ll need a small hammer or even a first aid kit. Mom or Dad won’t be with you to hand you something you need. Living in a dorm or in a home on or off campus is your first real step to becoming all you can be. Pass the test! Learn at every step what is best and what you need to be successful.
Coordinate with Movers Early. Whether you plan to use a relocation team or DIY, you need to begin early. Remember, even if you do not hire movers, you can still drop by their location and purchase packing tape and other essentials.
Like we mentioned before, if you plan to hire a relocation team book them early. Movers are always busy and the sooner you set a date the less stress you will have. Besides, universities and colleges have specific “move in dates.” Best to “book” movers at least a month in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts.
Packing vs. Overpacking: What You Really Need
Don’t be Tempted to Pack at the Last Minute. When it comes to packing, don’t procrastinate. That only introduces more stress into a life-changing and fun situation. No one wants to go through a chaotic move-in day. Try to pack a day or two before you leave. You are not going to have a lot to pack, but you will be surprised at the time it will take.
Remain Flexible. One of the hardest things you will do as a college student is to move into the dorm and establish good study habits. You are probably going to have to be flexible. It is stressful enough leaving home for what may be the first time, but it can quickly become an amazing adventure as you learn new things and meet new people.
Do set boundaries so you can make those great grades from the beginning. But also take time to meet new people, explore the college’s campus, and find out where the great food and action is.
This means that you will need to be open to new things. Dorm life can be a great experience, even if you plan to move to a house on campus after your first year. For most, moving out of your family’s home is an experience you won’t forget!
At Lambert Moving Systems, we understand that each move is unique and requires personalized attention. That is why we take the time to understand your specific requirements and tailor our services accordingly. From packing and loading to transportation and unloading, our dedicated team will handle every step of the process with utmost care and precision. Call or Schedule an Appointment to experience Lambert’s excellence!
Are you in the market for a mover in Alabama? Lambert Moving Systems is one of the top companies for moving in Alabama. We’ve been around for 90 years. Find your location below to get in touch now!
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