Packing Up and Moving Out After Final Exams

Most college students are expected to moving out of residence halls, campus apartments and Greek houses immediately or shortly after their last final exams. Since it would be almost impossible for RAs or other student housing staff to check residents out of rooms all on one day, most universities encourage students to move throughout finals week. But, students don’t have to wait until finals week 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 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 bin), large heavy-duty or “contractor” trash bags, paper or material in which to wrap fragile items.

• Almost all colleges and universities have stacks of cardboard boxes that are broken down and waiting to be recycled. Students can usually ask food service employees or managers to point them toward where these boxes are stored so they can use them for moving.
• Large trash bags are great for packing and moving coats, bedding, and other bulky items that will not fit into boxes.
• Consider packing and stacking 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/snacks for finals week.
• Wrapping fragile items in bedding or clothing instead of paper will save paper and hassle during packing and unpacking.
• Try to pack like items together. Some items, like alarm clocks or summer clothing, will need to be unpacked and used at home while others, like kitchen items used only at college, can stay packed in their box until the next academic year. Try to keep these items together.
• Try to move or ship items home before finals week begins. Less clutter means fewer distractions while studying. If your child attends college close to home, consider making a campus visit to move items the weekend before exams. If he’s far from home, he may consider packing and shipping boxes instead.