Moving can be hectic and generally not the most fun. This is especially true for college students moving out of a dorm room. But if you are well planned moving does not have to be something you dread. Here are helpful tips for moving out of a dorm room that will make that day easy.

Be Prepared

First thing you need to do is be prepared. Be sure to check to see when you are expected to move. Many dorms have special days and even times for sections or floors of the dorm. You want to make sure you are fully prepared in advance so you know the day and time designed for your move. You do not want to be caught by surprise. Also make sure you know when your room inspection will be and what is required so you get as much of your deposit back as possible.

Now that you know when the day and time is set for your move you can begin to plan and pace yourself.

What You Will Need to Buy

First you will want to get sturdy boxes and some sort of material for packing everything in and to protect fragile items. Cardboard boxes usually do fins for this type of a move. Old newspapers work great as packing material. Be sure to also buy packing tape to secure your boxes shut. Finally purchase a marking pen.

How to Pack

Packing your belongings into boxes is somewhat of an art. You don’t want to pack in such a way that objects get broken. You also don’t want to over pack so that the boxes are too heavy to lift.

Tape the bottom of each box so the boxes do not open up on you.

Put fragile items in a box by themselves. Wrap your paper around each item for protection. As you place items in the box, put things in loosely. Do not pack items in tight. Put extra paper between the items for added protection.

For heavier items you probably will only want to pack the box about half full. Occasionally test the box to see how heavy it is so it can be lifted.

With your marking pen, write in a few places (top and sides) what is in the box.

Stack your packed boxes with the heavier items as the bottom of the stack and the fragile items at the top.

Stack your boxes in a corner of the room so they do not take up much space and allow you area to work and continue packing.

Last Minute Tips

The day before you are to move make sure everything is packed and sealed in boxes so that you are ready to go. All that you should have left are objects you need for the final 24 hours. Think through what you will need and keep only those items out. You should have ready a final box or suitcase for these last items so they can easily be packed away the day of the move.

Also, be sure to keep out any items, including clothes and essentials you may need for the day or two (or however long) it will take you to complete your move. If you do this you will not have to be rummaging through boxes during the move itself to try and find something you will need.

The last thing to do is clean your room as it is suggested in your checkout guidelines. Make sure you allow plenty of time for this before your room is inspected.

Be sure to have all garbage removed from your room prior to the inspection.

A Plus Moving moves and relocates all the Boston area colleges and universities.