Rue's in College: Packing and Moving out of Dorms

One thing I don't miss is having to pack up my  dorm room at then end of Spring Finals and move it out. I did this for four years. With my first degree, I moved away from home, and lived in a dorm for all four years, so at the end of each year, I had to pack up my stuff and be gone a few days after finals. I was lucky enough in the Spring of my Sophomore year of college, to obtain a single, which I kept for my remaining two and half years, but with me having a single, I had more stuff than you would if you got a double. I had a bit more than a typical normal college student. I a lot of the time would be packing at the last minute, and did not plan real well for moving out.Here are some tips I have found and learned when having to move out at the end of the year.

• Take things home on Spring Break: I know SB is over and it's too late for this now, but if you go home for SB pack things that you know for sure you will not need. My SB typically happened about 5 to 6 weeks before the end of semester, so I typically took home all the winter clothes keeping my coat and a sweatshirt, incase of a cold snap. I would also take home any books that were not needed for classes, and any furniture that I had brought in there.
• After SB, plan to pack a box a week. This helps to not procrastinate.
• Decorations last to go: They make it feel like home, and comfort is something you need during finals week.
• Use totes not card board boxes: If you get the big one, you can fit more in there, and there are more protective. I also used them as under the bed storage through the year.
• If you are under the gun: use trash bags to put your clothes in. I typically ended up doing this, cause I am a procrastinator and wait to the last minute. One year, I turned in my key with one minute to go before I had to be out.
• Ask a friend to come and keep you company. Sometimes having someone to talk to while you pack, will help it move along faster. Plus they might help you some.
• Remember when packing to come back, that you will have to move out at the end of the year, so if you did not use it the previous year and can do without, then leave it at home.
• Finals can be stressful, so do not stress about packing up until your finals are OVER! Most colleges give you at least a day after the last final is scheduled to move out.

Hope this helps.

Peaceful and Happy thoughts,
--Rue.