It’s about that time of year again! Time to go back to school. But, before we can actually start classes, we all face the serious struggle of packing and moving in. For some of us upperclassmen, we’ve done this before so it should be easy. Wrong. Dead wrong. I know that I’m not alone when I say that I dread packing all my stuff up the day I move home after finals in May. It never gets easier.

Struggle #1: Choosing which clothes to bring

Do you pack for summer or fall? Do you pack for fall or winter? The weather can change from feeling like summer to feeling like fall or even winter in only one day. So in that case you should pack your shorts but pack your heavy sweaters too, just in case. But what about shoes? You have to make sure you have your flip flops, nicer sandals, flats, heels, sneakers, and don’t forget your boots! Also, don’t forget your comfy clothes; T-shirts, sweat pants, leggings, and hoodies too! You’ll end up wearing comfortable clothes the majority of the time anyway. The moral of struggle number one is that over-packing is inevitable.

Struggle #2: Actually packing the clothes.

“Three suitcases, four bins, and the foot locker” is what my dad said. Then I countered the offer by suggesting three bins and adding my plastic drawers. And to that my dad offered another counter offer. We have been going back and forth all summer debating what I can and cannot bring to school this year. Both of my parents every year say that I bring too much. This is just struggle number one causing packing issues. The way things will be packed remains undecided and will be discussed by both parties at a later date.

Struggle #3: Packing the car.

Freshmen year, I had to ride in my roommate's car because we filled my mom’s seven-seater and there was no room for me in the car. Sophomore year, I was scrunched in the back seat holding a large pile of clothes wrapped in a sheet that looked like a body. The arranging and rearranging of the bins and suitcases and boxes and laundry baskets, the refrigerator, and the television is insane! It’s almost like a weird game of Tetris—trying to fit every piece in perfectly. No, my dad can never see out the window, and yours probably won’t be able to either and that’s okay! Just drive carefully!

Just remember that with moving in comes stress, struggles, and chaos, but you are not the only one going through it. Don’t worry about forgetting anything, you can either buy it or have your parents send it to you. Don’t sweat the small stuff!