So, you have received your letter of acceptance and now it’s time you head up to college. This time we will share some moving-to-college tips regarding what to bring and how to pack. Of course you are over the moon, your friends and family, even neighbors are congratulating you on your success (deservedly, no doubt here), but time goes by fast, and the moving-out day will come sooner than you have expected it. On this note, you’d better start your moving-to-college preparation at the earliest opportunity. Start with creating a moving-to-college checklist. Create a list with all the tasks you have to finish prior your move to college.
Campus vs. off-Campus Housing
Before calling the shots and deciding what to take with you, make one thing clear – are you going to live on campus, or are you down for off-campus housing. Both have their pros and cons. The thing is that if you live off campus, you will most probably enjoy more privacy and freedom. Contrary, you will have much less privacy and freedom if you go for the campus residence halls.
Moving to campus residence halls
Reach your future roommate/s and discuss essentials such as who brings what. Dorm rooms are compact, so arrange it well. Besides, who needs duplicates?
College residence halls have their policies and all students are obliged to follow certain rules concerning alcohol, smoking, disturbances, noise, guests and pets. So, learn and comply with the rules. Most college housing provides basic furnishing – beds, night stalls, wardrobe, and desks for dorm rooms. Different dorms, different requirements, so before making any plans on what to take with you, learn what is already provided for you and what you are allowed to bring. Moreover, contact your future roommate/s and discuss if you will be sharing items such as TV’s or stereos. After all, dorm rooms are quite small, so organize your room well. Speak to the Housing Department at your university and make things clear, including what happens when something breaks.
Moving to off-campus apartment
Living in a off-campus apartment gives you more privacy. You can design and decorate as you wish.
Well, if you love to enjoy more privacy, search for housing that is conveniently located near college. Once again, you can ask the Office of Residential Life at your university to assist you with the finding of an apartment. Most colleges have off-campus housing section at their websites, where you can find apartment listings. Searching for a place to live on your own gives you the opportunity to choose the size of the residence, furnished or not, roommates or no. Plus, you can redesign your apartment, take more furniture pieces or buy new when you decide it.
Regardless what type of housing you will opt for, arrange it at the earliest possible.
Moving to college must-have things:
Our guide continues with some tips on what to bring when moving to college. You will be exhausted after the trip and you definitely don’t want to arrive at your new place and rush to unpack all your belongings or buy things. Here is a list of things to keep at hand:
- Personal care items: soap, shampoo, flip-flops, toothpaste, toothbrush, makeup, deodorant, hair products, razor and shaving cream, cosmetics;
- School supplies: pens and pencils, notebooks, sticky notes, highlighters;
- Medications: headache pills, cold and flu medicine, first aid kit, band aids;
- Cash, credit cards and other personal documents.
College transition: Moving and Packing Tips
- Paperwork – health insurance and parking permit – arrange them. Take care of your health insurance and obtain a parking permit if you have a vehicle before your arrival at college. Most universities assist new students with their health insurance, so all you have to do is ask. Also, there is an orientation program for new students. In case you are going to study abroad, make sure you get your student visa on time. As soon as you receive your letter of acceptance, prepare the needed documents and inquire your visa. You can find a list with websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions here. Address your university to help you with this task. One more thing – bank account. Especially if you are going to study abroad, research bank options, and find the most appropriate one.
- Book your moving company as soon as possible. Beware that August and September are busy, most movers are scheduled. Do your homework – find, research, book. And remember to ask if the moving company provides student discount. Fill in the free moving quote, receive estimates and compare.
- Packing. When you make it clear where you will live, decide what you will take with you. Pack it all well and do not leave it for the last moment (no
Move-in day is busy. Make sure you arrive at college on time.
discussion here). If you have valuables such as arts, antiques or electronics, note that these need special care. Label all. And when I say label, I mean write descriptive labels on each box – be creative and save time when unpacking.
- Move-in day. If you are moving to the college dorms, mind that there is moving-in day for new students. Some colleges organize help for students who are moving in. You are most likely to be assigned a specific time for parking and unloading your items. You have to stick with the schedule.
Our last moving to college tip!
You have arrived and already settled in, now you can really get involved. Explore your college and opportunities outside of classes. Find out what the student organizations and clubs in your college are and participate, you will adjust much more easily, and make a lot of friends. As a whole, college is fun and many new opportunities will be waiting for you. Search, find, explore, learn, succeed. Make it count!
What other moving-to-college tips can you add?
Great article, Manuella. Your moving to college checklist is awesome
I am so looking forward to college! Thank you for the interesting article!
I would also add superb website, thank you for all the tips.