When it comes to moving out of your dorm at the end of the semester, tackling the task of organizing and packing your belongings, along with cleaning out your dorm, can truly feel overwhelming. Though the amount of items you have in your dorm is undoubtedly limited, clearing through everything you have, such as belongings, entertainment, and toiletries, can still feel like a lot.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about the idea of moving out of your dorm at the end of the semester and don’t know where to start, here are six tips to help you get started!
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1. Check With Your RA for the Move Out Process: Moving out of your dorm can be a hassle, and before you tear apart your dorm and make a mess, consult your RA to get a step-by-step guide on the move out process. While it can seem straightforward, each college and university can have different rules, it is best to know what to do while you’re moving out to further avoid trouble in the future. Your RA will help lay out their expectations of you during the process, which will most likely include cleaning, returning keys, etc. They will also give you specific move-out dates, so you know exactly when you need to have everything out of your dorm before the semester ends.
2. Make a List of Everything You Own: As the semester is coming to a close and you are frantic dealing with finishing projects and studying for tests, it is easy to get carried away and forget exactly what you have, let alone what you need to pack. Before you shove all of your belongings in a random box and forget the rest of your stuff, sit down and make a comprehensive list of everything you own. Break down your list into specific categories, such as bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc., to keep track of your belongings and for easy organization. As you go through your list, you can cross off what you have when you find it and pack it, so nothing is left behind.
3. Don’t Pack Everything At the Last Minute: In college, move out days fall during some of the most stressful times, aka during or after finals week. Between cramming for tests, coordinating group projects, and writing final papers, finals week is bound to fry your brain and exhaust you. To avoid further burnout, don’t make the mistake of packing your belongings at the last minute. Rather, start packing weeks in advance if possible. Items that you know you won’t use, for instance, can get packed weeks prior to move out day. For last minute items, pack these belongings when it makes sense to. For example, you don’t want to pack your toothbrush or kitchen essentials away, instead, gauge what you will and will not use in the weeks leading to move out day to have a smooth organizing/packing process.
4. Sit Down With Your Roommate to Go Through Your Belongings: A difficult part of the move out process, especially when you live with roommates, is sorting through your belongings and ensuring that each person gets what is rightfully theirs. While living together, it is easy for you and your roommate to have shared belongings and items that blend together throughout the duration of the semester. Shampoos, dinner plates, clothes, etc., are just a few examples of items that either person can end up with that could get mixed up in the moving process. To avoid this, sit down with your roommate and go through what you both have. Similar to how you could make a list to keep track of your own stuff, you could also make a list of belongings with your roommate to help divide everything you both have.
5. Go Through Old School Papers: We are all guilty of hoarding one or a few items that are arguably unnecessary and serve no purpose in our lives. For college students, this often comes in the form of old tests, quizzes, school papers, etc., and they can take a mind of their own if they are not dealt with on a semi regular basis. While you are packing and preparing to move out, the last thing you want to do is bring a stack of old school papers with you back home. Most likely, these papers are not needed and will serve you no purpose in the future. If it is not something that you are specifically attached to or something that you are hoping to show off in your resume, show it the way of the trashcan. Trust me, nothing will feel better than purging these papers and forgetting the often brutal times connected to them during that semester.
6. Clean Out Your Dorm:The last, but not least, important task of the move out process is cleaning your dorm. Most likely, you will be given the responsibility of cleaning your dorm with your roommate. The best way to tackle cleaning your dorm is to break up the task by room and dividing the tasks by roommate. Be sure to sweep and mop the floors, dust and wipe down all surfaces, thoroughly clean the bathroom, vacuum, and empty the trash before you hand your keys or key card back to your RA. Doing so not only shows your RA that you both follow rules, but it also helps you get a clear picture of anything you may have left behind.
Moving out of your dorm at the end of the semester is a big deal that requires both time and energy. If you plan it right, however, the process will go smoothly for you and give you a peace of mind as you approach your time off and the semester ahead.
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