Moving is Hard: Let’s Help Each Other Out

Reported By: Ellaynah Brown

Illustrated By: Sydney Simmons

It’s time to move out for the summer, and having to pack while studying for finals and going to classes can be hectic! You’ve likely heard plenty of tips for surviving finals, but I wanted to share some tips to make it through the end-of-year packing fiasco.

First and foremost, always stay organized! Helping the process run as smoothly as possible will allow you to stay above the mess in your dorm. I’ve found it helpful to make a checklist of all of the things I need to pack, breaking it down by category: clothes, decorations, cooking supplies, hygiene, miscellaneous, etc. 

Then, as I have time, I focus on a single section and pack as much as I can, labeling the boxes with the contents and neatly stacking them in a designated corner to keep the packing process condensed. 

Secondly, when packing clothes, leave your hanging clothes on the hangers. With the clothes hanging in your closet, grab a trash bag and, starting from the bottom of the clothing items, put about seven articles of clothing in the bag and pull the bag up. Once the clothes are in the bag, tie it off around the hangers. This not only limits the number of bulky boxes you will have to pack, but it also gives you something to shove in those awkward corners when packing your car.

Next, when you are packing up your decorations, mugs, or other breakables, use what you already have to protect them. There is no need to spend money on bubble wrap or packing tissue when you have clothes, blankets, and towels to wrap your breakables in. Set aside a few blankets and wrap each breakable item individually before placing them in the box. For added cushion, place a blanket at the bottom of the box and up the sides before packing it full. Not only are you safely packing your smaller, more delicate items, but you are also packing your blankets.

If you didn’t already know, the mailroom typically has boxes that have been dropped off from previous orders that they will give to students to use for packing! They have a variety of sizes to pack small to large items. In the past, these boxes have gone fast, so if you can, stop by and ask about what recycled boxes they have to give you.

I have accumulated a lot of unnecessary things over the school year that just take up space under my bed or in the back of my closet. Like me, you are probably able to donate or sell a few things, whether that be clothes you no longer wear, decor that is no longer your style, or books you no longer need. This can help you save some time packing and space in your car.

Lastly, start packing as soon as you can. It is likely that you have a few miscellaneous things in your dorm that you don’t need or use right now, like summer clothes, hiking gear, and maybe some of your decor. Getting a head start will make the whole process a little easier and less daunting if you start now instead of finals week.

Packing is understandably stressful, especially during one of the busiest times of the year. No matter what, it is something that has to be done, and there are ways you can make the process a little more bearable. Along with these tips, talk to your friends and see what they do to speed up the process and maybe even help each other out to relieve the burden a bit. You’ve got this!