5 Things That You Need To Know Before You Start Packing For College

It’s almost crazy that school is about to start again! And with the new school season comes back-to-school sales and the rush to prepare for another year of learning. Which I think is even more true for any upcoming freshmen who are preparing for college.

So, let’s be honest. You guys have a lot of things on your plate and have to remember a lot of things. You aren’t only thinking about how to prepare for your new classes for the semester, but you also are trying to figure out how to adjust to living on campus. This is why I think that the following tips will be helpful for all of you who are preparing for your college move-in day.

So, without further ado, here are five things that you need to know before you start packing for college.

Pin This 📌

Tips For Packing For College

Look At The Weather

I think that when some people think about what they need to pack for college (or how much they need to pack for college) they tend to forget about where they are going to be living. However, knowing how the weather is like at your future school can make a big impact on what you will pack.

For instance, if your school is located in an area that experiences the four seasons, then you might consider bringing some articles of clothing like a coat, a couple of light jackets, sweaters, thinner shirts, a pair of boots, and some shorts. On the other hand, if the weather is fairly mild, then packing clothes that you would normally wear during the spring and summer could work out.

Or, if you don’t have enough space, and plan to regularly traveled home for the holidays (or have a storage unit), then packing clothes for the season can be helpful. So, for the fall semester, you would only bring clothes that would work for the fall and winter in the area that you are moving to. And for the spring semester, you would switch out your old clothes and pack some spring and summer clothes. So, knowing what clothes to pack for college ultimately depends upon where your school is located.

Check Out Your Rooming Situation

Another important tip for packing for college is to check out your rooming situation thoroughly. This is because where you will be living will determine what you can bring and how many things you can pack. So, prior to your college move-in day, make sure that what you bring will realistically fit into your new place.

For instance, if you know that you are sharing a small dorm, then you might consider packing a few space-saving organizational tools and only bringing the essentials. However, if you have an entire room to yourself (or even an apartment) you can bring more items and make use of the extra space that you have.

Determine The Essentials That You Need To Pack

Something else that upcoming freshmen should know is that before you move in, you need to determine what are the essential items that you will pack. For instance, some things that you might need to bring are some comfortable clothes, a mini-fridge, your electronics, and a mattress protector. However, you can always buy your favorite snacks and decorations for your dorm later.

Also, by only packing the essential items that you need, you will take up less space in your moving vehicle and speed up the move-in process.

And remember, as a college student, space can be a luxury and expensive. So, when you’re planning what to pack for college, consider if what you’re bringing will just take up space, or will it be helpful.

Find A College Packing List

Another important moving tip for college students is to use a college packing list to help with the moving process. Why? Well, using one of these lists can remind you to pack items that you normally wouldn’t think to bring for your new dorm. For instance, you might not think to bring a power strip because you have enough outlets to use at home. However, depending on your room (and how many roommates you have) you might find that there might not be enough outlets for everyone.

Using a college packing list can also give you a better idea of what you might need to pack. For example, although everyone knows that they will need to bring sheets, they might not realize that they might need a twin XL sheet versus a standard twin size one. So, using one of these lists can be super helpful. Just make sure that you check with your college to confirm that all of the items on the list are allowed.

Get Important Documents and Forms of Identification

The last tip that I have for you all is to make sure that you have important “adulting” documents (or plan to get a certified copy) before you move. And this is not only directed to college students, but to every person who is over the age of eighteen because you never know when you will need them. Some things that you should bring are your:

• Social Security Card
• Shot Record
• Car Insurance Card
• Health Insurance Card
• Photo ID (Ex: Driver’s License, State Issued ID, Student Visa, Etc.)
• Passport

And, don’t forget, just because you have to move in, doesn’t mean that you need to have everything in your new place. You can always shop at nearby stores or order new things online from e-retailers like Amazon.

So, that’s the end of this post. I hope that these tips for your college move-in day will help you be productive and have a stress-free time!

Happy Moving!

Need Something To Pin? Pin One Of These!

Hannah Roberts

Hannah Roberts is the creator of Do. Live. Study. She loves to learn new things and hopes to help others as they go throughout their journey as an adult. You can connect with her below.