With a summer of planning, shopping and endless list making ahead- there is no reason why your soon to be college freshman can’t tackle the work! I admit that as we prepped for college last summer I imagined it all to be a bonding experience. However, as freshman move in came closer last fall, our perspectives grew further apart.
Inwardly, I was emotional, tired and not super eager to pack. My daughter, however, was excited, anxious and counting the days. I was torn between wanting her to enjoy her last summer at home and wanting her to share the workload.
I decided action would be the best approach. So I got busy… and made THIS list. Here is how we did it, and how you can too. Here is your jumpstart how-to to get your soon to be college freshman moving!
How to pack for college
1. Pull those new appliances out of their boxes!
After reading too many posts on the Grown & Flown Parents Facebook Group about dented mini-fridges, and fridge doors that would not close, Keurigs that wouldn’t brew and fans that didn’t work-we did a trial run. Turns out, the inside of the fridge was a great place to stash and pack the breakable Brita water filter pitcher and a few other awkward delicate items. The appliances were easy to repack, and in some cases, we were able to streamline the store packaging with a little less bulk.
Tech tip: If you are packing a functioning printer from home, remove all ink cartridges and bag securely. Secure your printer tray with Frogtape masking tape ( found in the painting supply aisle) and find the correct size box so the printer will not shift inside. If you have a new printer in box, double check that your student can connect to laptop with USB cable ( not included with all printers) or Bluetooth. If necessary, test device connection at home first. Many colleges do not permit school wifi connection for student printers.
2. Label away.
With a jumbo sharpie and Frogtape, my daughter was tasked with labeling all the various moving boxes, containers appliance boxes and bags with students name/ room/ dorm name and phone number. This tape stuck to everything and left no duct tape adhesive behind. Stack empty labeled moving containers together in one area. Create a “ loading” zone area designated for all items that need to be packed excluding large pre-boxed items. The visual aid of a separate area will help you determine the best container for each item. Next, stack all books, notebooks together in one area in your loading zone.
3. Wash and pack all clothes and bedding.
Folded clothes can be left in laundry baskets in the packing area to use as packing filler with remaining to be packed in blue Ikea bags (the #1 must have dorm item for move in day).
Hanging clothes can be grouped in similar length, by small bundles and tied together with a trash bag /garment bag. ( The blue IKEA moving bags work great for this too, but we were saving ours for bulkier items.) I also used this opportunity to make sure my student knew how to correctly load and wash bedding using the supplies she was taking to college. ( No, not all the blankets can be washed together, sigh. )
4. Fill plastic storage bins and drawers with lightweight clothing and misc. items.
Tape drawers shut when each space is filled completely. Leave untaped until then.
5. Pack shoes together.
After making a quick stop at Total Wines ( empty boxes stored in front for the taking), I scored a couple heavyweight case boxes with built-in dividers. These make fantastic shoe holders. Box all shoes accordingly.
6. Gather all cleaning items/ bottles.
Check all tops to make sure they are locked. Lift divider out of liquor box and slip plastic trash bag underneath standing dividers up inside. Nestle bag with upright dividers back into the box. Fill with laundry, cleaning items. When dividers are full, pull plastic bag shut and tie within the box.
7. Cushion your cosmetics.
Cosmetics should be cushioned with cotton pads, and cotton balls inside all compacts. Pack into cosmetic bags or small bins with extra padding.
8. Round up all sports equipment and review.
Have your student check all equipment to avoid last minute replacements and necessary cleaning. Clean, stack/ wrap as needed.
9. Gather flat fragile decor and picture frames.
Slip into padded priority mail envelopes and tape. If unavailable, create your own by using brown paper grocery bags folded in half, with t-shirts and hand towels in between. Tape bundle to secure. Stack carefully in the loading zone.
10. Sort jewelry and pack like items together.
Small jewelry items can be nestled into the individual sections of a clean egg carton. Earrings can be poked through a paper plate, with earring backs attached behind. Wrap entire plate with press and seal food wrap.
Spread one sheet of press and seal wrap onto a table and lay necklaces on top. Cover with a second piece of press and seal wrap. NOTE: this must be peeled open by the corners so you open the entire sheet at one time, ( like turning the pages of a book) so that jewelry is easily removed.
Once all of the pre-packing work was done, instead of taking over I wanted to create a learning opportunity for my freshman. To brush up on my own skills for packing the car I consulted U-Haul moving expert and spokesperson, Sperry Hutchinson, who shared these excellent tips:
Pro College Packing Tips
1. Pack up items you don’t use on a daily basis, first. Books, school supplies, supplies for college. Pack correctly, by making sure you fully pack each box. A full box is a happy box, Hutchinson reminded. This prevents shifting inside the box, damage and protects the integrity of the box. Lining the bottom of boxes adds strength and reinforcement to your boxes, add cardboard or packing paper. ( We used school folders, notebooks, and spiral books too). Books can also make a great base in your other boxes. A large box of books, however, will be too heavy to lift.
2. Load your vehicle the same way you did with your boxes. Load the heavier items first, pad and protect unboxed items to prevent damage (using furniture pads, shrink wrap or blankets) and use straps to prevent items from shifting around. Loading the fridge and futon first creates a stable load. Hutchinson encourages creativity with placing your items in the vehicle is the key to filling a vehicle so items don’t shift, and instead remain stable and safe.
3. And my final advice.. keep busy and make it a family affair. Give everyone a job to do. Early move-in day, I had to close my daughter’s bedroom door, not wanting to see her room left sparse with all her favorite things packed. After a quick breakfast, we moved with a sense of excitement, and as we pulled out of the driveway, I put my sunglasses on. Not only hide my teary eyes but to also to ready myself for the open road and the exciting, new adventure ahead.
What You Might Also Enjoy Reading:
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Suzanne Perryman has been featured on Huffington Post Live, Huffington Post Parents, HPost Women in Tech, HP Women, HP Books, QueenLatifah.com, ScaryMommy.com, AOL Frontpage, MSN Living, Moonfrye.com, Blogher.com. Featured Posts, and 2013 BlogHer Voice Of The Year and various online, anthologies, and print publications. Blogger at Special Needs Mom, celebrating the simple and inspiring every day, one story at a time.Source: https://grownandflown.com/college-packing-hacks/
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