Updated on October 4, 2024
Whether you are a college student entering your freshman year or a grad student going into year five, how you pack and move your stuff for college living is relatively the same! You will still need to pack clothes, toiletries, entertainment items, and more to ensure you have everything you need for a successful year. Packing can be a daunting challenge if it isn’t done thoughtfully.
The easiest way to reduce stress is to have a plan and work with a moving company to help make it possible on your schedule if needed. Just because your move is smaller or doesn’t make it any less important than a family of five moving out of a large home. That is why 1-800-PACK-RAT wants to give you some tips to help make your move as simple as possible while ensuring you have the apartment or dorm room necessities.
When to Start Packing for College
Since it is a smaller move, you do not have to begin packing months in advance, but it helps start planning a few weeks out. Once you have a general idea of your living arrangements, you can start planning what you will need.
If you are moving into a shared dorm room, you will need essential items like bedding, a lamp or two, and a mini fridge to keep food in (unless you and your roommate can share one you both go in on). If you are moving into a furnished apartment, a full kitchen will likely be provided, some furniture in a common area, and a dresser and desk in your room.
This is why it is vital you learn as much as possible about your living arrangements ahead of time. Knowing this will help determine precisely what you need to bring.
How to Pack Clothes for College
If you are doing a full Fall-Spring college year, you will likely experience all of the seasons depending on your college’s geographic location. You’ll want to be sure you select clothing for hot and cold weather - from shorts to winter coats. The best way to pack all of this stuff is in a specific wardrobe packing box and other moving and packing supplies you can get from a place like Lowe’s® Home Improvement. These boxes are made specifically for moving your clothing in a way that keeps them organized and undamaged during the journey. If you are unable to procure a wardrobe moving box, you can use regular boxes or even large trash bags that you can stack your clothing in.
Either way, you will want a way to move and keep your clothing from getting dirty on the journey to your college home.
Packing Tips for Your College Move
From dorm room essentials to labeling your stuff, there are a number of items you should prepare before making your move to your college. These quick tips below will help you get started!
1) Check in with your roommate before you start packing. Your dorm room certainly doesn’t need two refrigerators, televisions, large area rugs, or microwave ovens. For shareable items such as these, figure out what you already have between the two of you and decide who will bring the rest.
If you can decide to split the task, this is also a good way to avoid having to bring a large number of items.
2) It is a good idea to verify the rules and regulations for your specific dorm or building. Student housing guidelines always list specific items that are not allowed. For example, some dorms don’t allow cooking of any kind in your dorm room. You certainly don’t want to take the time to pack and transport any items that you’re not allowed to have.
3) College dorm rooms are usually cramped, so it is important to pack only the essentials. Things like bed linens, towels, toiletries, basic school supplies, clothes, extension cords, or power strips are all necessary. Do you really need a TV or can you watch everything from the laptop you already need for schoolwork? Do you need a printer, or does your dorm or library already provide printing services?
Keep questions like these in mind when planning what you will be taking with you for your dorm or apartment. It is important to be comfortable, but overpacking can be a problem in itself!
4) Underbed storage boxes, shoe racks, closet organizers, over-the-door hangers, and storage baskets can help conserve space and keep you organized. If you pack all these organizational bins and drawers with the items intended for them, it will be easy to pop them into place on arrival.
5) Label everything with your name and room number. There will be many new arrivals alongside you, and this will ensure all of your items end up in the right place if on-campus helpers are assisting you with your move-in. It will also help you and your roommate(s) know which boxes or bins are yours.
Speaking of which, if you need assistance getting your stuff moved in, see if your campus has current students from student organizations available to help new students move in.
6) Keep your hanging clothes on the hanger. There’s no need to waste time taking your clothes off the hanger and packing them only to have to rehang them when you arrive at school - group 10 or so hangers with the clothes together and secure with an elastic or wire twist.
If you have a wardrobe box, they can be easily transported as such. If using a trash bag, cut a small hole in the bottom of the bag and then slip it over the stack. These are now ready to effortlessly move from your home closet to your dorm closet.
7) Prepare a box or bag with the essentials you’ll need while you’re unpacking: scissors, duct tape, markers, doorstop, etc. A basic toolkit with a hammer, drill, level, screwdrivers, and pliers may also come in handy. In this box, you should include cleaning supplies to wipe down the room as needed before unpacking.
If you are in a dorm with a shared bathroom, remember to bring a bathroom caddy to carry your toothbrush, soap, etc., with you.
Make Your College Move-In Day a Breeze
Making the move to college can be tough, but so long as you are prepared for it and know what to expect when you get there, you will be ready for a fun year! However, if you are moving into a home or unfurnished apartment, consider using 1-800-PACK-RAT for your moving needs.
We can deliver a portable storage container to your location, which you can pack with your stuff at your own pace. Then, when you are done, we will deliver it to your college home for you to unpack. The best part about this is that our moving containers can also provide amazing storage benefits for college students.
Say you have to return the following year but have to switch apartments or move to a new home. You can refill your container with your stuff and have it stored in one of our local and secure warehouse locations until the next semester. We will then deliver it back to you wherever you are, eliminating the need to pack and unpack multiple times or rent a large moving truck to get the job done.
With 1-800-PACK-RAT, moving is simple, no matter how big or small your room or apartment is. If you need help with your college move, give us a call or request a free quote online today!