After you have dealt with the stress of packing "everything" you think you will need, it is now time to undo all your hard work and unpack! Take my advice: Things must get messy before they can be cleaned.

College life is much like that of a gypsy, living out of a suitcase and hopping from place to place. If you are a fellow over-packer and "better safe than sorry!" is your motto, then take some notes and pin these tips!

1. Unpack food and perishable items first.

Getting all of those bags of groceries and perishables out of the way and where they belong will de-clutter your counter and floor space and give you a feeling of relief for accomplishing such an important chunk of moving back in. After all, that grocery bill is no joke. Empty bags means more progress.

2. De-clutter spree.

Before you unpack your suitcases and boxes, anywhere you think you will be placing your belongings should be cleared of all things that are just taking up space and collecting dust. Toss out old clothing you do not wear anymore, donate, or sell! Get rid of all the tchotchkes that you don't pay any mind to, and make room for other items that should go in their place.

3. Take a breather.

Take a five-minute break and grab a snack. You deserve it. Now that you have made space for your belongings, a quick wipe down and vacuuming will be a breeze when you are done. (TIP: Multitask and clean while you dispose!) Do yourself a favor and get a snack! You need to replenish your energy and reward yourself for keeping calm and carrying on.

4. Put away furniture and non-clothing items.

Get the big and bulky things out of the way and into their place! These items are probably heavy and/or something you may need to assemble. Putting it together and arranging your furniture pieces and bulky items like a vacuum, crates, bins, and desk chairs will make way for items that can be put in place with ease. Now that all of your heavy lifting is out of the way and you have reached your calorie burn goal for the day, you can turn your focus to unzipping those suitcases.

5. Unzip your suitcases and bags.

Take your folded (hopefully) clothes and place them where you have cleared a spot for them. If you need to rearrange a few things to move freely back and forth between, say, your dresser and bed, do it. If you carry your closet with you wherever you go, then the floor may be a better option. Since you cleaned up and have all the space you need to do so, you can focus on putting clothes away comfortably and quickly. Because you de-cluttered and made room for your clothes, you won't need to worry about stuffing your clothes into nooks and crannies or struggling to close a jam-packed drawer. I am sure it will melt away the stress when you do not have to choose what to pack away in storage bins because you barely have any room left over.

From one gypsy to another, do yourself a favor and try these tips. I learned the hard way that unpacking can be grueling, and it always feels like a lifetime of effort. Save yourself the time and energy!