The semester is winding down and it is almost time to move everything home for the summer. You might have noticed a significant increase in the amount of stuff crammed into your little dorm room compared to when you moved in. Move out day is nothing but hectic and chaotic as everyone fights for the closest parking spot, dragging heavy loads down the crowded hallways and cramming as much stuff into the elevator as possible. While it is an inevitable battle you will have to fight, there are a few things you can do to prepare for this busy day.
1. Don't wait until the day before, or the day of, to start packing.
I know there are things that have not moved in your room since the day you put them there. It will not hurt your routine to move those things into whatever sort of bin, box or bag you plan on putting in into when it is time to take it home. You won't miss it and it is one less thing to worry about when the day comes.
2. Start taking things you do not need when you go home for the weekend.
Taking small loads of things home before move out day will make packing that much easier. Not only will you have less stuff to cram into any empty space you can find, but it will also give you less to unpack once you finally make it home. I know this is not as probable a solution for students who live out of state, but even bringing home things over winter or spring break will make a difference.
3. Have a plan for where you are going to put things.
It would be very unfortunate to get half of your stuff packed up and then run out of boxes for the rest of your things. The bigger the container, the less trips you have to take back and forth from the dorm to your car. It is easier to lose things in the chaos if they stand alone. I suggest not moving smaller things on their own, like school supplies or the food you thought you would eat but ended up being stowed under your bed all semester. It doesn't hurt to shove all the random stuff floating around your room in one box, just try and keep track of where you put everything.
4. Use garbage bags.
Putting things in cardboard boxes is great until you lose the Tetris game of figuring out where everything is going to fit in the car. Boxes can be good for fitting a lot of stuff into but they are not very malleable in fitting into certain spaces that are only so big or small. Garbage bags can hold a good amount of random stuff of almost any size or shape and stay closed while they are being shoved into the oddly-shaped spaces between your television and bean bag chair. They are easy to transport and take the shape of whatever is inside them.
5. Work in numbers.
Recruiting family members and friends to help move will make the process go a lot faster. Everyone is working to achieve the same goal and working together will help get it over with. Moving out faster will help cycle out the traffic of people trying to park closer to the door, and if you help your friend move their stuff out quickly, you can take their parking spot once they are finished. "Teamwork makes the dream work" is good to live and work by and makes moving out a much more pleasant experience.
Finals are over and you are ready to move on. Don't stress over the annoying hassle of moving out. My suggestion to you is to plan ahead and work together to get in and out and fast as possible. Oh and try not to forget anything. Good luck!
