Moving in

You’re going to be going to college, congratulations! Now what?

– 4 weeks out – Start by sitting down and thinking about what you want your college year to look like. Write down a few ideas. Look online and see if you can see any videos or pictures of people in the dorms you’ll be staying in. Visualize yourself in those spaces, even if they’re not perfect. Even if you can’t find anything for your dorms look at generic dorm room setups. Sketch out some setups but don’t become too attached. Now, look around your room and see how you would utilize what you already have. Your bedside lamp can become a desk lamp, your blankets and pillows can come with you but you’ll need to get some twin xl sheets. You’ll store your pens/pencils/scissors in a favorite mug and bring another one for coffee/tea. Be creative. Every time you enter your room think about how you can downsize and utilize what you have.

– 3 weeks out – Order your mattress cover and sheets now. Also pick up some boxes, permanent markers, packing tape, tissue paper, and paper towels (optional). Do a deep clean of your space. You’ve been imaging the dorm space for a week, now you need to do an inventory of what you already own.

Plan to do a deep clean in one day. Pull out everything, I mean everything, you own and pile it in the center of the room. Clean the empty shelves. Put everything back, but keep some of the items you’ll be bringing easily accessible. Put a box in a corner and start to fill it. Image your items in the space each time you hold them. Would they fulfill the job you’re asking of them?

Put your favorite childhood toys in a box lined with tissue paper. Toss out some of the more mundane or plastic toys, but, if your grandparents gave you a special doll, keep it. Don’t abandon entirely your childhood just because you’re becoming an adult. Label the boxes with your name.

However, once you’re past the sentimental items, be ruthless. Don’t toss everything, but be realistic. Pretend you’re packing a friend for college, what would you bring, donate, toss, or save?

Once you’ve put everything away, look at the size of the pile with a critical eye, is it too much? It might feel it. Organize it and put them in boxes labeling but don’t close the boxes.

Once you’re standing in the center of a newly cleaned room, with things organized, put away, and some ready for storage, start to ruminate, what were you missing? Don’t obsess, but make a list. See if you can go to a thrift store in the week before or acquire some of the more important items on facebook marketplace.

– 2 weeks out – Designate a spot in your house for college. Open a few boxes and really start to pack them. Label them with broad strokes – Kitchen, Bedroom, Clothes, Bathroom, Desk, Miscellaneous. Don’t be go too crazy with the labeling, you shouldn’t be bringing so much that you need to label like crazy. Start to close up some of the more under utilized items – the kitchen box with it’s tea kettle and tea (but maybe you’ll wait till after you’ve arrived), the desk supplies (it’s summer), some of the clothes. Feel free to switch things up and take things out. This is your last chance to be passive and ruminate.

– 1 week out – It’s showtime. Make sure you have transportation for the day. Start to pack everything but the essentials. Pretend your room is a hotel – all you have are enough clothes for the week, your basic bathroom supplies, and that’s it. Pack a bag for the day including disinfecting wipes, snacks. a favorite book, and drinks. You can live without a lamp for a week. Have everything packed and ready to go. You don’t want to be packing on your last day. It’s hectic. Instead plan to spend your last days at home with your family or friends. Go do something. Organize a trip with your high school friends to a park for a picnic, go to a movie, or just meet up for coffee. This might be the last time you’re all together until the 10 yr reunion. Plan a day with family, hang out and play games, talk, go on a picnic, go to dinner, or just go on a walk. Let your last days be calm.

– The morning of – Get up early, wear a tee and a sweater, you might not know exactly what the weather will be like. Quietly and steadily, start to pack everything into the car. Put heaviest items (Kitchen/clothes/books) on the bottom and play tetris. You’re going to have more than you think so don’t leave any gaps. Stop and get some breakfast when you’re hungry, it’s an emotional day and you’re likely to become hangry. Once the car is packed, head out.

– Moving in – Your dorm should provide large moving bins for your use. Fill them up and head up, you’ll likely need 2 trips. Don’t worry. Wipe down the surfaces and then pile the boxes on your bed. Start to unpack, desk first, then clothes, your bathroom caddy and stone mat, your shoes, and finally, make your bed. Now, take a moment to admire your dorm room, make a list of what you still need, and go get lunch and walk around campus with your parents. See if you can find all your buildings. Make it an occasion.

– Night of – Your parents are gone. You’re in a new space surrounded by your things, surrounded by new people. Pull out your favorite comfort book and start to read. It’ll help you sleep and relax.

Don’t worry. It’s a scary chaotic time, your belongings won’t match, something will be slightly odd, but it’s going to be okay. No one else is going to be perfectly coordinated, you’re all new to this. Just be kind, command your space but be generous, and you’ll be fine.