Tips For College Students Leaving the Dorm
Moving out of the dorms is an exciting moment for all college students. Whether you are graduating and venturing out into the real world or you are just moving to an off-campus apartment, this is a new moment in your life that is worth celebrating. However, before you can move on to the next chapter, you need to have a plan of action for vacating the dorm room.
Doing so will require creating checklists, decluttering the space, finding a new place to live, and transferring your belongings from one place to the other. The five tips below will help you along your exciting journey.
1. Think About Where You’ll Move
Before you declutter your space and pack the boxes, you will want to put some serious thought into where you plan to live next. You may be relocating to another dorm, a different school, or graduating and moving to an apartment or back home. Whatever you do, you will want to have a plan before you vacate your current space, so you aren’t stranded with nowhere to go.
If you are graduating soon and thinking about moving out on your own, then you may want to start sending out job applications or applying for an internship, so you have a good idea of where you may be working. Then, try to find an apartment near your job so you will have an easy commute.
If you are moving to another dorm, make sure that your paperwork is in order, so there aren’t any surprises. If you are moving back home with your parents, have an in-depth discussion about the living arrangements ahead of time.
2. Create A Move Out Checklist
Moving out of the dorms may seem simple in concept, but once you get going, you will realize just how much work goes into a move. You will need to find boxes, make a list of what you do and don’t need, decide if you will use a moving service, find people to help, and unpack once you reach your new destination, among many other tasks. The best course of action is to create a moving checklist specific to your situation.
The steps on your particular list might include choosing a moving date where you aren’t bogged down with classes and other responsibilities. If you do choose to go with professional movers, then you will need to research companies and pick one that goes with your budget. If you are moving out of state, then you may need to schedule an appointment at the DMV. The point is that there is a lot to remember, and if you don’t write it down, you could forget crucial steps.
3. Donate What You Don’t Need
The first step on your moving list should be to declutter your dorm and get rid of what you don’t need to bring, and eliminate the items that may not fit in your new home. Break up your dorm room into segments and pick up everything and determine how often you have used that item over the last year and if you plan to use it again.
Start a pile of items that you no longer need. Instead of throwing everything out, you need to think green. Plan how you can clear the clutter while also helping the planet. You likely have a ton of homework assignments, old notebooks, and other paper that you no longer need, so make sure that they are put in the recycling bin. If you have any reusable items that you don’t plan to take along, like clothes, light fixtures, electronics, etc., then consider bringing them to a donation center in town, so they can be used by another college student down the line.
4. Read The Rental Agreement If You’re Moving Into An Apartment
If you are moving into an apartment, then you will want to talk to the landlord or read the rental agreement ahead of time, so you know what you are getting into and what may be expected of you. There it will tell you the length of the lease, when rent is due and how to pay it, if renter’s insurance is required, and information about the security deposit, among other topics.
One question you will certainly want to ask is how home improvements are handled and who is responsible. So, if you plan to live in the apartment long-term and you want to renovate the bathroom or add energy-efficient appliances, you would want to ask how that could be accomplished and who would foot the bill. If you were willing to take on these tasks, then a landlord would likely be thrilled as they can rent it out for a higher cost later.
5. Be Smart If Moving With A Partner Or Roommate
If you are moving out of the dorms and in with a romantic partner or a friend, then you will want to have discussions ahead of time so you can hammer out the practical details. For instance, you will want to talk about the finances and who will be responsible for paying certain bills every month.
You’ll also want to talk about grocery shopping and meal planning, so you don’t both come home to an empty pantry. Set these details in stone before you move to avoid unnecessary drama and stress down the line. If you don’t have a lot of spare cash in the beginning, then use your resources to find the items that you need. So, that may mean borrowing plates and silverware from family or buying necessary furniture online at sites like Facebook Marketplace.
In the end, there is a lot to consider when moving out of the dorm, but with proper planning and realistic expectations, you can make a smooth transition. Consider these tips and take the stress out of your upcoming move.
