College move-in day is coming up, and if your child is getting ready to move away for school, you’ll want to be prepared in advance. The more organized you are, the less stressful the transition will be. With that in mind, here are a few tips on items you’ll want to travel with, things you’ll want to ship, and belongings to leave at home.
Items to Travel with You
Whether you’re flying or driving, you’ll want to keep the items necessary for first few weeks of class with you. Remember, if you’re checking luggage, most airlines require your bags to be under 50lbs.
- Bathrobe
- Clothing
- Laptops and small electronics
- Medication
- Shower shoes
- Toiletries
- Towels
- A couple of small personal items to remind you of home
Items to Ship
Especially if you have to fly, you may want to consider shipping items you’ll need on move-in day but are too bulky and/or heavy to pack in your suitcase. Some of these can be purchased when you arrive at college, so evaluate what you really need to ship and what might be better to buy on-site.
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Bedding
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Hangers
- Laundry supplies
- Power strips
- Sewing kit
- Small fan
- Wall art
Take into account the amount of time it will take to ship your boxes and how busy the campus mailrooms will be. Typically, you’ll want to have your items packed and shipped several weeks in advance of move-in day. Check with your school for information and advice on delivery details.
Items to Leave at Home
Remember, dorm room space is limited, so you’ll want to leave non-essential items at home. As a general rule of thumb, don’t take anything you can’t fit in the back of an SUV. You can always ship items later, or bring them back to school after a break.
- Books and notes from high school
- Clothes from high school
- Excessive kitchen supplies and utensils
- Furniture
- Iron and ironing board
- Off-season clothes and shoes
- Stuffed animal and knickknack collections
When it’s time to ship your child’s belonging to college, don’t wait until the last minute! Visit the PostalAnnex location nearest you for packing supplies and shipping services. The friendly professionals can even professional package your items for safe arrival and compare UPS and FedEx shipping rates to help you find the best way to ship your boxes!
