Packing up and Moving Home From College

By Katie Einzig, The Ohio State University

Believe it or not, the time has come for packing up your loot and moving home from college. Ohio State University junior Marina Gidalevich keeps herself pumped by playing music while she’s packing. She adds, “I’ve never encountered so much dust in my life. Open your windows!”

Pair dirt (and the occasional disco) with the other common challenges students face while packing, and you might need some help ensuring your possessions have a happy trip home from college:

Going home from college with more stuff than you brought?
Remember when you bought that vintage end table for you and your roommate? Or purchased not one but three pairs of boots because, well, you needed rain boots, snow boots and a dressy pair? Not to mention all the free stuff you picked up on campus, plus the odds and ends from forgotten care packages. Believe it or not, there are ways to get it all home!

• Think outside the box If boxes aren’t easy to come by, use bags you’ve collected over the past year: Green grocery totes, duffels and book bags are great for smaller items. Michigan State University junior Rachael Ballas packs clothes in large pieces of luggage so hangers don’t get tangled or her favorite dress doesn’t get squished.
• Is that a designer label? Ohio State junior Sam Clark also uses suitcases but goes one step further by labeling them. “It’s never fun to throw all your luggage into the attic [when you get home from college], then realize the one suitcase you left out has sweaters … when it’s 80 degrees and sunny.”
• Back to where it once belonged If you didn’t do so this year, remember next time around to save those convenient plastic zipper bags that comforters and sheet sets usually come in. They take up no space to store, and you can return bedding to its original packaging.
• Protect valuables and breakables Wrap fragile items in newspaper or bubble wrap (usually available at your campus post office). As for jewelry and anything else of value, place them in drawstring bags and stuff them in a larger bag you’ll carry with you. Don’t just toss them in a box and trust that they’ll be there when you get home from college and unpack.

Moving big stuff home from college?
Your room was voted Best Chill Spot because you’re the coolest guy on campus -- and having a 68-inch plasma TV probably didn’t hurt. However, it might when it comes time to move. You’ll need to:

• Round up some muscle Unless you’re Iron Man, moving TVs, couches and other big items is a task for at least two people. Be sure you’ve lined up some help from a friend, preferably one who’s buff. Girls, this could be your chance to finally talk to that guy who’s totally ripped. Oh, and it’d be nice if you provide pizza to show your appreciation.
• Protect appliances and furniture If you’re worried about things getting scratched or cracked -- this might include your gaming system or laptop -- carefully cover them in bubble wrap or quilted moving blankets before transporting.
• Keep on truckin’ If you plan to rent a truck or van to haul your things, not so fast. Many companies require you to be at least 21 or even 25, so you might have to recruit a parent or older sib to get behind the wheel. U-Haul, however, rents to 18-year-olds nationwide. If you own a car with a hitch, consider renting a trailer.
  
  To rent, you’ll need a driver’s license -- duh -- plus a check, cash, credit or debit card, according to a U-Haul rep. Insurance can be purchased at U-Haul locations, but other rental companies might require proof of coverage at pickup time. A cool feature is U-Haul’s college exchange program, which allows you to reuse boxes other students have used -- a small way to go green. Just click on “College/Armed Forces Connection” at Uhaul.com.

Leaving stuff on campus?
When it comes to things you definitely want next year but don’t need at home, consider leaving them behind (in good care, of course). This is particularly convenient if home’s a plane ride away. Two options include:

• Consider a storage unit Ohio State junior Jamie Katz put the contents of her apartment in storage over the summer after her parents moved from Ohio to Virginia: “It alleviated the hassle of moving couches and tables and beds to Virginia then back again.” She says her unit was close to campus, which made moving much easier and inexpensive. Some offer discounted rates to college students.
• Dump on a townie Ask local friends if they’re willing to hold some of your belongings while you’re home from college. Maybe they have extra space in an attic or basement … or perhaps they wouldn’t mind giving that 68-inch plasma a nice home for the summer.