It's that season again. The Command Hook isle of Target is in shambles, and you'd be hard-pressed to find dorm room necessities that fly off the shelf no matter how much they are re-stocked. With Move In day right around the corner for many schools, college students are packing up all their favorite XL t-shirts and loading up posters from their hometown into the back of their car. Whether this is your first move-in or your fourth, here are some helpful tips to make the day go more smoothly.
1. Less is more.
Don't worry--I'm not saying you need less things, but consolidation is key when packing. The fewer boxes and bags you have to unpack, the easier it will be to get everything in your room and where it needs to go. Less boxes = less clutter in the dorm room = less stumbling around and reshuffling while you try to move in.
2. Pack smart.
Rather than just shoving everything in random boxes, sort it by where it will be in your dorm room. Anything that will go in or on your desk can go in one box, clothes in a different box, etc. This will help you as you try to put everything in it's new home. Labelling what is in each box or bag will help you know what to unpack first.
3. Plan on taking longer.
However long you think it will take you to move in, add an extra hour or two. You never know what kinds of trouble you will run in to, so allow yourself some extra time to run to Target for a longer extension cord. And prioritize what you need to move in first. Hanging pictures on the wall, admittedly the funnest part, is something you can easily do the next day.
4. Be flexible.
Sometimes you show up, and the furniture in the room isn't the same as what you were expecting it to be. Sometimes, things don't quite fit where you thought they would go. That's just a part of the process. Have in mind where you want to put things, but don't get too attached to your plan.
5. Pack a "go bag".
This bag should be the first thing you take out of the car and into your room. It has things like Clorox wipes, drawer liner, extension cords, and command hooks in it. Put anything you need to use first in this bag, so that you don't have to dig through all your stuff to find what you need. Then, you will be ready to unload everything else and set it up more quickly and efficiently.
So there you have it. Five tips to make your Move In day a little less hectic. Taking a little extra time to pack can make it a lot easier when you get in your dorm room and begin to set up your tiny, cinderblock home.
