Moving Away to College - Moving and Packing Guide, Learning Center

Moving Away to College - Moving and Packing Guide, Learning Center
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Moving Away to College

That time of year is quickly approaching to pack up and move away to college. This is an exciting and somewhat stressful time, so use these easy guidelines to keep track of what needs to be done:

* Before you go
* Unpacking
* Make it your own: how to decorate in a dorm room
* Moving Out

BEFORE YOU GO:

If you are getting ready to move to college, here are some things you will need. Remember, you are starting from scratch in a dorm room that contains only a bed and desk.

Don't forget about the little things that you used to use from your home office, but now need your own of:

School Supplies

* stapler/staples
* pens/pencils/highlighters
* printer
* laptop
* printer paper
* lined paper
* ink cartridge
* three-hole punch
* paper clips
* tape
* push pins
* hooks
* notebook

Dorm Room Supplies

* Plastic drawer bins, which can be found at Target or Walmart, are the best for storing in dorms. They are cheap, durable, and can be thrown away at the end of the year if not needed. Things get easily wrecked or stolen in dorms so you don't have to worry about destroying nice furniture. Remember your in college, keep it cheap.
* White Board/Cork Board
* Four-Digit Combination Lock to attach computer to desk.
* Sheet and Linens.

*Take note if the beds require extra long sheets

* Portable Carrier Caddy for bathroom
* Hangers
* Laundry Basket
* Mini Fridge
* Air Conditioning Unit/ Fan
* Some utensils and dishes
* Desk Lamp
* Bed Risers
* Coffee Maker
* First Aid Kit
* Mini Tool Kit
* Power Cord
* Alarm Clock
* Trash Can

Pack for the weather you are currently going to be in. When you come back home during break, switch out the clothes for the clothes you will need for the next season.

Stock up in bulk. Before you leave, buy a big shampoo bottle, a couple bars of soap, and things like that. It will save you from having to go out all the time and buy more products, especially if you don't have a car.
Some of these items may seem obvious, but can easily be overlooked or forgotten.

A good idea is to ask for some of these items as graduation gifts like a new comforter and sheets.

Need boxes. Click here to see Where to Get Free Boxes

UNPACKING:

Get creative when trying to find space to fit all of your stuff. Some dorm rooms are very small, especially with two people. You will soon learn which ones are on campus for your future housing options. Bed risers make more room under the bed to store things. The long, flat bins slid under there nicely. Take advantage of all the cabinet and storage space given.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN:

Make the dorm your own. This is the fun part! Dorm rooms can look like prison cells upon first glance: white walls, no color, minimal furniture, and a square shape. That is not the kind of environment that you want to live, study, and work in for an entire year, so add to it.

Get creative! Cover cork boards with wrapping paper and tape pictures on top.
Poster always make a great addition to any room. It is also fun to add curtains, giving a little extra flare. Place a small white board on the outside of your door that way people can leave messages when you are gone. If you are running out of ideas, peek your head in other rooms to see how people got creative.

Be careful not to put holes in the wall or else you may get charged. Ways around this: use hooks for pictures instead of using nails. They hold to the wall and are easy to remove. Poster Putty is also very effective, not just for posters. Adhesive tape for white boards or frames. If you do chip the paint, you can take a sample of it to Home Depot, and they can make that color for you to repaint on your own.

MOVING OUT OF DORM:

It also is kind of a pain moving back and forth every summer, packing up the same items. But, you become a pro at packing fast. Towards the end of the year, start to take stuff home when you make a weekend trip. It is especially hard when you live out of state or far away. Here are some things you can do:

* Rent storage unit
* Some colleges allow you to store items in the dorm for the summer
* Sell items that you don't need anymore. Underclassmen will especially need these items and willing to buy for cheap prices
* Recycle
* Donate