College Packing Tips for Your Freshman Move

You’ve graduated and are getting ready to go off to college. Things can be overwhelming! With this being your first time being fully independent, it can be tempting to take the entire bedroom with you. Being organized and thorough when packing can minimize your stress. 

Take some time to familiarize yourself with these clever moving-into-your-dorm tricks, hacks, and ideas to have a successful and stress-free moving day!

  •  Bring Pictures From Home

 When away at college, it can be difficult to adjust to a new routine. You may even become homesick. Pack pictures of family and friends to have fond memories of home.

  •  Invest In Storage Items
 Regardless of how long you stay at school, you’re going to need some type of storage. It’s wise to invest in high-quality storage pieces now that will last for the duration. This will help save money over time and avoid having to repurchase items year after year.   
  •  Pack light
College dorm rooms are being updated but they are still fairly small. Make sure you bring what you need and leave the rest at home. You’ll understand more once moving day comes and you have a ton of stuff. In fact, moving day is hectic and you may have to carry your things from the parking lot to the dorm (that’s no fun). Make sure your boxes are light enough for the trek you may have to take, and you are making the most of every space. Clothes on hangers? Slip a garbage bag over them and carry them just like that. It cuts down on extra boxes you will have to unpack. Heavy boxes are not the way to go, even if you have help. Don’t forget your hand truck or dolly which will come in handy. 
  • Prepare a basic first-aid kit  

 Accidents happen all the time and it’s always a good thing to be prepared. Make sure you create a first-aid kit with items for headaches, stomachaches, and allergies. Make sure you also have items like vitamins, band-aids, antiseptics, and alcohol. This will come in handy and will save you some time instead of having to visit a pharmacy in the middle of the night.

  •  Label boxes accordingly 
 To stay organized, print multi-colored packing labels or use different colored masking tape to give each box a proper label. Instead of opening and emptying every box just to find the items you need, save yourself some time. You can also label your boxes based on what day you will unpack. This helps cut down on chaos and gives you an opportunity to put things in order while reducing clutter.