Relocation and moving house are never easy – and they are definitely not easy when it comes to moving out of your parents’ home and off to college. Truth be told, most of the students get into this without even knowing much about it – and the shock of living away from their homes “hits” them much later on.
If you want to avoid this kind of “surprises” when it comes to your “relocation”, you should definitely read on. We have gathered some of the most important things every student should know before moving away for college.
1. Move smart. Although moving away for college would qualify as “small removals” (since you will most likely not bring furniture with you), a bit of organization won’t harm. Organize your things properly and you will unpack them easier. If you bring a TV, make sure to pack it properly in a box (and this goes the same way for a desktop computer as well). And yes, you might find that a TV will be more than welcomed in your dorm room – no matter how social you are and no matter how much work you have to do for school, there will be days when boredom will kick in.
2. If you have to bring larger packs and if you have to bring furniture with you (which would most likely happen only if you plan on getting your own accommodation and not the campus kind of accommodation), don’t hesitate to use professional removals services. It will be worth it (and plus, there are a lot of cheap removals out there too, so there’s no need to worry about anything).
3. Make a moving checklist and include everything you know you will need throughout the school year. Also, remember to buy bed linens, draperies, eating tools, plates and even some cooking tools as well. You have no idea how much these little things can mean when making the transition from living at home to living away from it.
4. Decorate your room in a nice way. Just because your dorm room is not very large and just because it is a dorm room and not a proper apartment, it doesn’t mean that you cannot add a touch of your own personality to it. Bring posters, photos and nice décor to remind you of home and to make the room as comfortable and nice as possible.
5. Be prepared to be social. College is much more than studying, exams and attending (more or less boring) lectures. It’s about discovering the world, making friends and connections and about finding out who you are. It is about being social as well. Once your “removal operation” is done, be prepared to get out there and make friends.
6. Take into consideration the fact that you should start searching for accommodation sooner than you expect. Once you have settled on a particular university and once you have received their answer, start searching for the right dorm room for you. On the first year, you will most likely live on campus – however, also take into consideration the fact that most of the second year students live off campus.
No, living away from home will not be as easy as you now think it is. But in the end, when you will finally draw the line, every single moment will be worth it. Every ramen noodle meal, every sleepless night, every exam – they will all make for wonderful memories you will remember with a huge smile on your face. Enjoy your time in college – believe it or not, these will be the most beautiful years of your life!
