You have your acceptance letter and you can’t wait to spread your wings and leave your family home. But before you fly the nest, it’s important to get prepared. Follow our tips to get ready for your college move-in day.
Connect With Any Future Roommates
Whether you’re living in a dorm or off-campus, you’ll probably have a roommate. Don’t wait until moving day to start chatting. Connecting with your new roomie beforehand is a key part of the preparation process. It’ll reduce any first day awkwardness, so you can get straight down to having fun. You can also chat about the items you think you’ll bring, such as TV sets and microwaves, so you can avoid any double items.
Be Reasonable About What You Can Take and What You Can’t
Living with your parents, you’ve probably had ample space at your disposal. There’s your bedroom, of course, but you’ve likely got stuff in your parents’ garage, their attic, their basement, and other rooms in their house. Moving from such a generous space to a tiny dorm or apartment can be quite an adjustment. As you prepare to move to college, be realistic about what you can take and what you can’t.
Large items such as your bed and a couch might make your life more comfortable, but these items might not fit in your new space. You might find bunk beds and chairs or perhaps a futon that doubles as both a bed and a couch are more practical. Similarly, while a bike can make getting around campus easy, some students simply don’t have the space to store one. Research your new home and campus facilities to decide what you should take and what’s best left with your parents.
Start Packing Early
Packing for a move-in day is such a daunting job that procrastinating is easy. However, this won’t get the job done! Instead, take a proactive approach and start packing early. College junior and blogger Sally Stunkel suggests packing for around 30 minutes a day for around two weeks before your big move. Breaking packing down into bite-sized chunks like this makes the process far less overwhelming.
Start with the items you won’t need first, such as out-of-season clothes, sheets, towels, and books, saving items you’re using like toiletries and your favorite clothes for closer to the big day.
Have an Honest Chat With Your Parents
You might have fought like cats and dogs during your teenage years, but your parents are probably going to miss you. A lot. Chatting with your folks about what will happen on moving day will make sure you’re all on the same page.
Some students want to claim independence early and hire movers. Others are happy to move with their parents helping, but they don’t want them hanging around campus. For others, moving day provides an opportunity for one last special dinner together before the hard work of college begins. Be honest about your plans but sensitive to their feelings as well.
Moving to college is a massive job, but with careful preparation, you can make an easy transition from your family home to your new, grown-up digs.