By the time you read this article, I will have already moved back to campus. Lots of students across the country have done the same as me, loading boxes and suitcases into cars to make the drive back to campus. Others are zipping up bags and flying to get to their schools (if you have this much of a travel time, I applaud you). On the other hand, some people are still soaking up their last few days or weeks of summer.
No matter if you’ve already left or you’re getting ready to go, we all have to face the same time-consuming task: packing. Whether you’re a freshman going off to school for the first time, or a rising junior like myself, the idea of moving out and taking everything you need can be daunting. The millions of thoughts running through my head while getting ready to leave sound a little bit like this...
I’m so excited to go back to school! I haven’t seen so many of my friends in a long time and I can’t wait to catch up, plus I’m really looking forward to the classes I have this semester.
I’ll make a list for what I need to pack – it will help me keep organized! I’m feeling super ambitious and ready to get stuff done. Besides, I’ve done this whole packing thing before, how hard can it be?
Okay, one list wasn’t enough, better make two. I made a general list, yes, but I have different types of clothes I want to bring. Better make a list for that. Okay, I should probably make a list for toiletries too, those are important… My lists are growing.
I need to go to store – badly. Because a half-full bottle of hairspray and the five laundry detergent pods I have left over from last semester aren’t going to cut it.
My room is a disaster. My clothes are strewn everywhere. I just got back from the store and the mess of bags makes it look like Target threw up in here.
Will I have enough boxes for all of this? Between my towels and bedding and a lamp - and everything else - I’m worried I’m going to run out of space… Also why do I own so many things?
WHY DO I HAVE SO MANY PAIRS OF SHOES? Okay… this might just be a me problem. But I’m currently staring at this pile of shoes sitting in my closet wondering why I did this to myself.
Do I really need all of these t-shirts? My head says no, you’ll be doing laundry. But my heart says yes, you do need that concert shirt and the one you bought on vacation and all of those letter shirts….
Why am I so tired? I’m just loading boxes and suitcases. This shouldn’t be so difficult but all I want right now is a nap. Or a large coffee.
Okay but what if it gets cold before I come home again? Do I try to cram some boots in a bag? Should I bring some long sleeved shirts and jeans in case we have a random freak cold day... in August? Am I overthinking this? Probably.
Did I make this box too heavy? Because I just got starting throwing things in here and now I don’t know if I can carry it up steps, let alone pick it up again.
Will I be able to fit all of this stuff in my car? I mean, the car is pretty big, but suddenly my room and the hallway outside of it are filled with things and I’ve lost track of everything…
Okay, I’m done. Time to go to sleep and get ready for move in tomorrow… But wait. Did I forget something?
