Packing up and Moving Out

Most students are expected to moving out of residence halls, campus apartments and Greek houses immediately or shortly after their last final exam. But, students don't have to wait until after their exams to start cleaning and packing. In fact, accomplishing small "moving out" tasks before finals week is ideal because it leaves students with one less task to worry about during exam week.

Students will find it easier to move, clean, and also study for exams if they take some time now to clean and pack before final exams. Suggest that your child pack off-season or other non-essential clothing and bedding now. This is also a great time to clean, de-clutter, and create an environment that is more conducive to study. Here are some tips to share with your student about packing up and moving out.

• Essential items: Packing tape, boxes (try to find boxes headed toward the recycling bins on campus), large heavy-duty or "contractor" trash bags, paper or material in which to wrap fragile items.
• Move it, ship it, or store it? This is the first question to answer. Some students live too far away, or do not have the means of transportation needed to move each year. For these students it may be more practical to ship their possessions home, or simply store them during the summer.
• If moving by car, large contractor bags are great for packing and moving coats, bedding, and other bulky fabric items that will easier to pack this way than if they were in a large box. 
• Pack items that will not be needed during finals week. Most students will only need; a week's-worth of clothing, books, class notes, computers, and other exam essentials, and enough food for finals week.
• Wrapping fragile items in bedding or clothing instead of paper will save paper and hassle during packing and unpacking.
• Pack similar items together. Some items, like alarm clocks or summer clothing, will need to be unpacked and used during the summer while others, like kitchen items used only at college, can stay packed in their box until the next academic year. Try to pack these items together.
• Try to move or ship items home before finals week begins. Less clutter means fewer distractions while studying.
• If your student’s college is fairly close to your home, consider a campus visit to move items the weekend before exams. If it is too far for a weekend visit, your student may consider packing and shipping boxes instead.