So you’ve graduated college, congratulations. Now it’s time to clear out your dorm room and go home to prepare for the next stage in your life. Over the past few years, you have probably accumulated more stuff than you realize and it can be overwhelming to move things out of a college dorm, that’s why we have provided you with some tips to help you reduce, sell, ship and/or store your personal effects.
Eliminate the Unnecessary
To save money on shipping and storage there are a number of items you can get rid of. Pass them on to incoming students who might find them helpful. These include:
- Dorm room bedding: You probably have at least a couple of sets of bedding that you will never use again. Wash them and pass them on.
- Plastic storage containers: Unless you are using these cheap bins and organizers to transport stuff home, they’re not much use to you now. Throw them out.
- Old college clothes: Go through your wardrobe and let go of those old grungy t-shirts and worn out gym attire. Say goodbye.
- Dorm room decorations: Try not to be too sentimental. Go ahead and ditch the old posters and stickers that have been garnishing your walls for the past three years. Let them go.
Get Help
If the task of cleaning, clearing, and packing seems too overwhelming get help from friends. In turn, you can help them clear out their room. Bear in mind that not every single thing can be loaded into the back of a car. Decide which items you will be taking with you, which of your belongings will be going into storage, and which bits you will be shipping home.
Pack Ergonomically
If you’re transporting your stuff in a car, black bin liners are essential. They will allow you to pack loads of clothes and unbreakable items and won’t take up as much room as boxes. For clothes that must remain on hangers, tie white bin liners around them to keep them clean during transport. Books and folders should be packed neatly into sturdy boxes.
Storage Solutions for Students
If you’re moving out of your dorm room temporarily, to study abroad or to take a break before graduate school starts, the best thing to do is to rent self-storage space for your gear. Take a quick inventory of your personal effects and figure out how much space you need. It probably won’t be much. Make a checklist so that you don’t end up paying for more space than you really need. Think about how often you’re going to need access to your belongings, this will help you decide on the location of the storage facility. If you are storing items over summer in a hot environment, climate-controlled storage may be the way to go, so your gear won’t get damaged. If you only need a storage space for a few months, find a facility that has flexible monthly leases. Don’t forget to ask for a student discount. Many storage facilities offer this perk if you can show a current student ID card. Some may also offer free van rental so you can easily move your stuff in. Look for introductory special offers. Many companies offer the first month for free if you are a new customer.
Use a Student Shipping Company
A student shipping company, like Uni Baggage, is a perfect solution when you have a lot of things to move back home, particularly if your gear has to travel a long way. They are experts at shipping student belonging, even around the globe, so you don’t have to worry if you’ve been studying abroad. They will arrange a collection of your effects and deliver it anywhere in the world for a very reasonable price.
Set Yourself a Timeframe
You’re not moving back home forever, so set yourself a timeframe with a list of goals such as getting a job, finding an apartment and moving out. If you don’t already have a job, spend as much of your free time as you can polishing your CV. Prepare yourself for interviews so you will shine.
Moving back home after graduation is not the end of the world. You might lose a little of the freedom you’ve been used to for the past few years, but remember, it’s temporary. This is just the beginning of the rest of your life, so use the time wisely.
Paul Stewart is the founder of Uni Baggage, an online shipping company that moves students belonging to and from University. Paul graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an honours degree in Structural Engineering with Architecture. It was at University that Paul founded Uni Baggage after having issues moving his belongings between Belfast, N. Ireland and Edinburgh in Scotland. Paul is passionate about digital marketing and first started marketing using Facebook Ads in 2009, Paul has since used Facebook to bring in more than $1M in sales. Paul has a keen interested in motorsport and completes at a national level, he holds a National B racing licence from the MSA.
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