7 Things You Need to Know When Moving to College

#1 Finding Out the Exact Date of Check-in Will Help You Get Organized

In order to organize your move, you’ll first have to think about the exact relocation date. Of course, your ultimate deadline will be the day before classes start, but you can move several weeks ahead and start adjusting to a different place. However, if a dorm is your preferred housing option, do not forget a check-in day will be determined up-front. Colleges usually have transparent residence guidelines, where you can learn when and where to register, who to ask for help if needed, and so on.

Therefore, the first thing to do when planning a move is to set your relocation day. Only then can you see how much time you have left and create a doable timetable with all the relocation tasks that should be completed before the school year starts.

Making Lists Will Allow You to Manage Your Time Better

If you are the kind of person that makes lists for everything, you will love this part of the move. Lists that are carefully thought through will help you stay organized during the whole process, but they can also work wonders when it comes to the anxiety when relocating to another state.

Think about a to-do list with all the tasks that await, a relocation expenses checklist, a packing list, or an apartment shopping list – just to mention a few. All of them combined will provide you with the feeling that you have everything under control, which will cause fewer worries and sleepless nights.

#2 You Will Have to Spend a Pretty Penny for a Cross-Country Move

This kind of long-distance relocation won’t go easy on your pocket. Aside from the money you will have to spend on the first year’s tuition, housing, and items necessary for your new, independent life, you’ll also have to think about the costs of the move itself. When creating a relocation budget, you must consider all the required packing supplies, the price of getting long-distance moving services (if you opt for them), as well as the money you’ll have to provide for the trip. However, the sooner you start saving money for the move, the less stressed you will feel down the road.

College Dorms Will Be More Affordable, but the Separate Apartments Will Allow You More Freedom

Making a decision between apartments and dorms will mostly depend on the amount of money you have at your disposal. However, there are other things to consider, as well. So, what should I know before moving into a dorm or first apartment, you wonder?

Relocating to a dorm will usually be more cost-effective, but it doesn’t mean that it is entirely free of charge. You must count in semester fees for laundry, utility and other services, broad fees, and alike.

On the other hand, although costlier, living off-campus certainly has its perks. You will have your own room and other spaces dorms can’t offer, such as a kitchen and living room. However, keep in mind that the off-campus option demands more of your independence than the dorms.

Still, remember that sometimes the choice won’t be at all up to you – in some colleges, all freshmen are required to live in dorms, while others don’t have enough space for everyone enrolled. Make sure you get informed before the move and decide accordingly will you rent an apartment nearby or live on the campus.

#3 Researching the Future City Will Come In Handy

When moving away for college, you won’t have the freedom of choosing the city you are going to live in. However, finding out as much about it as possible before the move will help you adjust to another town easier and faster. Luckily, with modern technology, it’s almost effortless to discover:

• Cost of living – so you can get prepared financially,
• Climate – so you can determine better what to pack,
• Transportation routes – so you can find your way around quicker,
• Entertainment hubs – where you can relax from studying,
• Safety – use tools like AreaVibes, that can help you determine which parts of the city are safe and which you should avoid completely.

You Must Plan On Becoming More Self-Reliant

Moving out of state for college usually implies that you will start living on your own for the very first time. But is it good to move away for college, and why is moving to college so hard? Becoming a freshman and relocating from parents can help you gain maturity, become independent, and expand your horizons. However, all of that demands you move to another city alone and start depending on yourself.

Since your support network will be many miles away, you will have to learn some skills to successfully acclimate to your new life – from money management over doing various chores to changing a tire. However, no matter how challenging the beginning of your freshman year is, soon you will learn how to depend on yourself, and that is a life lesson that will stay with you forever.

#4 Hiring Professional Long-Distance Movers Will Ease the Transition

The most affordable option would be a DIY approach, especially if you plan to move in the summer. However, hiring a long-distance moving company will allow you to move safely and efficiently. Remember – the more complicated your move is, the more you will need the help of cross-country movers. If your finances allow it, the best decision you can make is to leave the shipping part of the move to the professionals who know how to relocate them to another state smoothly.

The same goes for the additional services. If you want your belongings to arrive at your place intact, consider getting packing services and hiring professional packers to take care of your items. Simultaneously, you may not have enough experience driving cross-country, so getting an auto transport service may be a wiser solution than getting into your car and being on the road for many hours or even days.

#5 You Will Have to Decide What to Pack and What to Leave Behind

Going through your things and deciding what to bring is an essential part of each move, but it’s imperative when you plan to live in a tiny space, such as a dorm. It’s important to distinguish which goods are necessary for the first few months of life in a new place. No matter which part of the state you’re relocating to, as a freshman, you’ll have to bring:

• Beddings,
• Towels,
• Pillows,
• Flip-flops (or any other kind of shower shoes to use in a communal bathroom),
• Clothes,
• Electronics and chargers,
• Toiletries,
• School supplies,
• Lamp (at least one),
• Earplugs (if you require silence to sleep),
• Stuff that reminds you of home (photos, gifts, and the like),
• Curtains,
• Kitchen dishes and utensils,
• Chosen appliances,
• Toolkit,
• Important documents (ID, driver’s license, social security card, and so on).

Simple Guide on How to Pack and Declutter Properly Before Moving Across the Country for College

Do you know how to purge through your belongings successfully? Here are some tips you should consider:

• Do not bring items you haven’t used for over a year – the chance is you won’t use them for another one,
• Check if the item is damaged or if it expires soon – mismatched sets, chipped mugs, or makeup you bought more than a year ago should all be not only left behind but also thrown away,
• Find out how furnished your future place is – dorms, for example, usually have beds, desks, mattresses, and closets, so it’s not something you should bring from your old home,
• Do not bring things out of guilt – do not let anyone, not even yourself, guilt you into bringing something you do not use or want,
• Do not bring clothes that do not fit you – if you have those shoes that are beautiful but impossible to wear or a pair of favorite jeans that don’t quite fit anymore, leave them behind.

Rent Storage for Things You Will Use Later On

If you require extra space for some stuff until you settle in entirely but do not want to travel all the way back to your home to get them, getting a storage service can be a good choice. Renting storage is also a good solution for things you are indecisive about. If you need them, they will be easily reachable, and if you don’t, you can easily sell, donate, gift, or throw them away.

#6 Ingenious Packing Tips Will Be of Great Help – And We Have Some Prepared

Securing all your belongings for this trip will take a lot of skill, which you probably won’t have if this is your very first time relocating. In that case, we prepared a few excellent tips that will surely help you deal with all the relocation preparations.

#7 You Will Have to Prepare Emotionally as Well for Moving to College

How do I prepare to move to college, you asked? It’s not all about the physical part of the relocation. You must also be ready to live far away from your parents, family, and friends and face a lot more responsibilities and a more serious school workload. The best way to cope with it is to focus on the relocation benefits you will gain – and there are plenty.

However, becoming a freshman will always be hard. It’s even harder when you must do it alone and away from home. That is why the fear of relocation will always be there – your coping mechanism will determine which amount. If you require some help, take a look at the video below to learn more about how to overcome your fears:

Freshmen Students Have to Count on the Chaos Called the Moving-in Day

Move-in day is the culmination of the whole relocation process, so it can get pretty stressful, both for freshmen and their parents. If possible, it’s always better to have emotional support behind your back to help you deal with the change, but also the physical part of the work.

How long does it take to move into a dorm room? Without the trip, which will depend on the relocation distance, it will take 1.5 to 3.5 hours. The more help you have, the less time you will need. And what to do after moving into college? It’s time to start over in entirely different surroundings, make friends, study hard and strive for academic success.

When the Relocation Day Comes, Get the Best Cross-Country Moving Company

How to move to college easily and stress-free? Getting professional help is the best solution, so make sure to google top-notch long-distance movers near me and get cross-country moving services that suit your preferences, needs, and, of course, budget the most. Enjoy the company of your loved ones, begin your emotional preparations for this big change, and let trained and experienced movers take care of the rest.