Packing for college can easily become another daunting task to join your bunch of worries. Especially since most dorm rooms are small and lacking storage space. By following our college packing tips, you can minimize the number of things you need to move with your Florida movers. Also, minimize the space you need to move them, and figure out how to maximize your dorm space.
Packing the essentials
Make a list of the things you need to bring to college and the ones you want to take with you. Reduce this to as few “desires” as possible. Focus your packing list on the things you will pack in an essentials moving box: linens, towels, and toiletries. Before packing your bedding, check the dorm bed size and bring two sets of bedding in case one gets dirty.
Remember that even if you forget something or miss something, you can ask your parents to send this later, you can buy a new one or get it when you go home for the holidays. To help you narrow down what to take with you, sites like CollegeBoard have handy checklists to help you make sure you have the essentials. For example, an electric kettle is a must in a dorm room. Think late-night ramen when the dining room is closed. Or making tea, hot chocolate, or soup when it’s cold and you don’t want to leave the dorm.
How to start with college packing the right way
If you are using one of the inventory lists mentioned above, make sure you note the box number on the checklist to make unpacking easier when you are in the dorm. For example, if your bedding is packed in box #1, write “box #1” next to “bedding” on the checklist. There are many ways to pack your belongings. Choose the best way for you and start with your packing project. But, there are some general guidelines you should follow when it comes to packing for college.
Here are the basics
- Pack in cardboard boxes that can be flattened and recycled or saved for future use. The boxes are also useful if you want to write the number for your inventory checklist on them.
- Use storage bins as an alternative to boxes.
- Pack similar items together for easier unpacking.
- Reuse baskets to organize different items in your college room.
- Pack the car efficiently by placing heavier items on the bottom and building up. After loading larger and heavier items, place softer items, such as clothing, in an open area.
Packing your wardrobe for college
Choose a minimalist wardrobe. When moving from Florida to New York, you should plan for a tiny closet and only pack for the current season. Make sure you bring comfortable clothes and shoes for walking around campus. But bring at least one pair of trendy shoes and one outfit suitable for a job interview or career fair.
Pack a few basic items in a neutral color palette to make all of your items match each other. Also, bring a few sets of sportswear with you so you don’t have to wash every time you work out. In most cases, you can leave your winter clothes at home until you head home for your winter vacation.
One way to save time when packing for college is to keep clothes on hangers. Then all you need to do is hang them in the closet as soon as you arrive at the dorm. To transport them, separate them by type of clothing – skirts, shirts, etc. Then place them in clothes bags or even trash bags with a hole in the top so that the hangers pass through the top of the bag.
Purchase clothing storage accessories – shoe bags, hangers, and more – for your dorm room to maximize storage space. Call the school prior to moving and check to see if the college dorm has any clothes hangers before buying or bringing your own. If you use space bags, you can store unwanted items in them – they also protect your items from dirt, mold, odors, and insects.
Know what the school provides and what it forbids
Call in advance to find out what subjects the school provides. Dorms may or may not have a refrigerator and microwave. Think about the electronics you might need while on campus – a game system for entertainment, a USB stick for classroom presentations, etc. Also, if you are playing some sport, make sure you pack your sports equipment.
Also, find out if there are any items you are not allowed to bring. Drugs, alcohol, and guns are obvious exceptions, but items such as electric stoves, heaters, and extension cords may also be prohibited in your school. Very few items will be banned in your school, but this is not a reason to pack and bring everything that you have or that you may need. For example, you don’t need to pack your school supplies. You can buy them at the office supply store near campus. The same rule applies to anything else that you can buy instead when you live on campus.
Pack only one season of clothing at a time if you plan on going home for breaks. You can change items while at home.
Talk to your future roommate about what they plan to bring, something you can share, such as a refrigerator, TV, or microwave.
The ultimate goal is to make you feel right at home, even when away from home, without bringing too many unnecessary items. Use the checklists you find online to help you narrow down the things you absolutely need and follow our packing and organizing tips. Effective college packing can ease some of the stress you may have and help you “embrace change” so you can take advantage of your new world.