Moving for first time college students can become a huge task for a student, especially when resources are limited. Some students have the help of their parents and their parents’ vehicles to take the load of their belongings to their dorm room. Students that don’t have the help of their parents have to rely on packing and moving a truck rental on their own. Even though this move can be stressful for a young collegiate, there are ways to make it easier. Follow these tips when relocating from the comfort of your parents’ home to a college campus:
- Measuring Your New Space: During your college visit and tour it is important to take measurements of the dorm room spaces as most campus dorm rooms are small and they make the rooms for two students each. When making plans of things to buy for the space, think compact and creative ways for storage. Most dorm beds are on high risers so you can create space under your bed for storage – measurements for this need to be taken to plan appropriately.
- During your dorm visit, ask what is included in your dorm room and what you have to bring. Taking inventory will help you determine what you have to buy and bring with you during your move. Some of these items may include a mini fridge, microwave, closet storage, etc.
- It is also important to ask what items you cannot bring into your dorm room. Such items may include a full-sized fridge, television, additional furniture, etc. It is better to know this in advance, so you avoid spending money and bringing items and then having to find a new home for your possessions.
- As mentioned before, your dorm room will most likely be a very small space – much smaller than what you are used to. This is the time where you would cut down or remove items from your daily use that you think you would bring to your dorm room. Such items may include games, exercise equipment, etc. A good rule of thumb is only take with you what you can fit in a couple of suitcases.
- Work with your assigned roommate to see what they are brining so the two of you don’t overlap with items that the both of you may use daily. This could help with space saving especially since the small space is divided between the two of you. Working with your roommate and being on the same page will lead to a successful living arrangement.