Six Tips for College Packing and Unpacking

Moving into college can be a hectic and confusing time. A new college freshman must navigate an unfamiliar building, move multiple heavy items, begin unpacking, and start socializing on what is almost always a grueling and often emotional day. However, there are some smart packing techniques that can make the entire process more bearable and less intense. Here are some suggestions to help you during the packing and unpacking process at college.

College Packing Tip #1 - Plan Your Packing
Many new college students make the mistake of not planning what they are going to pack. This can lead to packing too much, too little, or the wrong items. Making a list can make the packing process easier for you and can save your parents the trouble of mailing you items after your arrival. Don't take more than you need to college, but don't deprive yourself of necessities.

College Packing Tip #2 - Get The Right Sized Boxes
Depending on what you bring to college, you should get several different types of boxes. Your lightest items should go in the largest boxes and your heaviest items should go in the smallest boxes. This will ensure that most members of your family will be able to help you during the move-in process, and will reduce the likelihood of injury and strain.

College Packing Tip #3 - Pack Like Items Together
When you are unpacking your college supplies, you will probably want to work on certain aspects of your dorm room at the same time. For example, you may want to work on your bed area first, which will require your mattress pad, sheets, comforter, pillows, pillowcases, and alarm clock. If all of these items are placed in the same box or two, it will be much easier to unpack when the time comes.

College Packing Tip #4 - Label Your Boxes Descriptively and Thoroughly
Descriptive labeling is especially important when moving into college. If there is anything you need right away when moving in to your dorm room, it can be frustrating to open each box and fail to find it. By writing each item on the lid or side of a box, it makes the unpacking process easier (as well as the repacking process!).

College Packing Tip #5 - Pack Early
Don't wait until the last minute to pack. If you get a lot of new bedding supplies, for example, you may not use them until you arrive at school. If this the case, there's no reason you can't pack them as soon as you get them. Packing early will allow you to do more with your friends from home in your last few weeks together, and will prevent you from feeling the stress procrastination produces.

College (Un)Packing Tip #6 - Unpack Right Away
After you arrive at college, unpack as soon as possible. It may not be tons of fun, but it will allow you to focus on things such as making friends and exploring your campus sooner, and may help to alleviate feelings of homesickness. You'll feel much more at home at college if you're not living out of boxes for your first week.

All college students must go through the packing and unpacking process for themselves, and no one does it perfectly. However, following the above advice can make the process of moving into a dorm room easier and less stressful for you and your family. If you have any other suggestions for packing for college or any relevant dorm room anecdotes, feel free to leave your thoughts and experiences in the form of a comment. Thank you for reading!