Packing for College: Essentials and Moving Hacks

You have made it through all the senior lasts and now looking ahead to moving your young adult off to college! There are entire websites out there dedicated to selling you anything and everything to make any dorm or apartment space as bougie as you want. 

As this may be an emotional time and big milestone, our parental, emotional anxiety may fuel us to purchase way more than our student may need! My goal was to plan for small spaces (think NYC apartment) and convenience of moving. After all, you may be doing this for quite awhile. Give your wallet and back a break! Trust me, as someone who works in higher education, come May move out you will be wondering why you bought all the things!

After deciding on bedding, this is my top list of essentials that are worth the dough:

1. Moving bags: 

They typically hold up to 50 lbs, have sturdy straps and fold into each other for easy storage. 

Moving hack: If you have room, pack a hand truck and stack the moving bags. Most universities have some moving carts, but then you won't have to wait in line for one. 

Packing hack: Categorize bags by rooms or items and label with painters tape. Wash all linens and put Bounce sheets in the bag to keep them smelling fresh. 

*If you need to stay overnight prior to move-in, remember to pack electronics in one bag and carry in to hotel with you to protect them from the heat.*

2. Cleaning supplies: 

Again, don't buy the farm because they probably won't use them. My son's essentials are: a small vacuum, broom with telescoping handle/dustpan, Dawn Powerwash, and Lysol wipes. This small vacuum turns a dustbuster into an upright vacuum and is super affordable. 

3. Essential Oil Diffuser: 

Dorms can be musty. Most colleges do not allow candles, but a small diffuser can eliminate odors and create an inviting environment. 

4. Fist Aid Kit:

Nothing worse than waking up sick in the middle of the night  for the first time away from home and needing to go to the store. Much easier to talk your student through how to care for themselves when you know what they already have on hand. 

Fill kit with meds for stomach virus (Nuun electrolyte tablets, Imodium, Zofran), respiratory infections (pain reliever, cough meds, sinus rinse), topical cream for rashes, and Band-Aids. 

*Be sure if your student has regular prescription meds to get refills before move in and research pharmacies to transfer prescriptions. 

5. Lamp with USB charging ports and surge protectors.

 6. Extra Storage: 

This storage container from Target looks like furniture and will fit under a lofted bed. 

7. Closet Organizers: 

Flat hangers, vertical pant hangers, over the door shoe rack, over the door coat rack.  

Moving hack: Group clothes together and tie garbage bag around them to keep them clean. Hang on a wardrobe pole in the car and they all easily transfer straight to the dorm closet. 

8. Wedge or Husband pillow to create a head board:

9: School/Miscellaneous Supplies: 

Laptop, pens, pencils, notebook, paper, scissors, tape, and  small tool kit. 

This is one of my favorite multipurpose space saving tools: ( a hammer with screwdrivers that store in the handle).

* I would skip buying a printer as most professors ask for assignments to be turned in electronically and there are printing centers on campus. 

10. Kitchen Supplies: 

Many colleges now have suite and apartment style living on campus with full kitchen or kitchenette. Before you invest in an air fryer or small grill, make sure you check your schools housing policy as many consider these to be fire hazards. 

Chances are your student isn't going to become a 5 star chef once they move away! I only bought supplies for my son's go to meals: smoothies, frozen shrimp, mozzarella sticks, eggs, cereal, and ice cream. (blender, ice cream scoop, bowls, small oven pan, frying pan, utensils, oven mitt, kitchen towels). 

I must confess his freshmen year, he did surprise me and called his grandma for her homemade pizza dough recipe and made calzones for his roommates. He had a grand time shopping all on his own for the ingredients and supplies needed for this meal!

Speaking of food...On move in day, don't forget to have water and snacks on hand to keep the crew hydrated and  from getting hangry. 

Happy packing! I promise your student is going to do great in their next chapter. 

Let your love give them roots to help them find their wings!

Blessings, 

Katie