Moving out

You’re done with your first year of college, congratulations! We’re going to follow the same order, as when you moved in. One thing to note, most dorms allow students to stay an additional 4 days to a week past the last day of finals, so that will be the last week when you do the bulk of your packing.

– 4 weeks out – This should be just before finals season starts so choose a day when you have some time and do a deep clean. No need to pull everything out, but wipe all your surfaces down, start to organize items, and try to give your space a refresh/reset. If you’ve had a pile of clothes in a box on your wardrobe, now’s the time to deal with it. Plan to devote at least half a day to this. Decide if you’re going to bring everything home or store it in a $25-$50/month storage unit.

Most college towns have tiny storage units set aside specifically catered to college students. They are tiny, but you can fit a whole dorm (no furniture) in them if you’re smart. Just make sure everything is boxed up well. Ask friends if they’ve used a storage unit and look at reviews online. Buy a thick lock and if you’re using a combination lock, put something you’ll remember, like your room number.

– 3 weeks out – Start to consider what will be coming with you next year and what will not. Put a box on top of your hamper, out of the way, and make a donation pile. Don’t let it get out of hand.

– 2 weeks out – It’s the week before finals week. Focus on your finals, but if you need a break, take some items to a donation center. Try not to acquire new things. Organize your sweaters, if it’s too hot for them now, and fold them. If you have space under your bed, start to put some things away in the boxes you saved.

– 1 week out – It’s finals week. Utilize your clean space and study. You’re going to do great!

– Week of – Get up early and strip your bed. Wash the sheets, the blankets, the pillow cases, everything. Leave your bed bare again. Place your boxes, label facing out, onto your bed and start to fill them up. Again, leave your essentials in a separate box/bag. Once everything is packed, pile them under your bed, where your hamper was, or on top of your desk. Keep it neat and don’t store them in the middle of the room or in the way. Some things can wait until the last day – anything kitchen related can wait until the last day as it’ll likely just be used again.

Talk to your roommates about cleaning their part of the dorm to make sure you all aren’t hit with a cleaning fee. Believe me, even if you deep clean the living space, the kitchen, the bathroom, and your room, you’ll still get a bill if one of your roommates left things a mess in their room.

The day before your last day, plan a trip with your roommates/friends. Plan a picnic on the quad, enjoy the weather and company, and talk about the year and your plans. Make plans for meeting up the following year.

– The day of – This is the day either your parents come or your dorm requires you to be out. Coordinate with your parents and roommates. Try not to have all your parents come at the same time, try to stagger it, but also, make sure someone does one final sweep for any lost items. Everything should be cleaned already, you’re just moving out your belongings.

Pack up your car, or your storage unit, put a good lock on it, and go enjoy the summer!