College News
Dorm Dwelling? Tips to make the move go smoothly
minute items; that box will go on the truck last. Along with
your rental truck, you can get moving blankets and hand
trucks to make the move easier.
(BPT) - There's no traveling light when you're moving into a
dorm room; college calls for a lot of stuff. Smart storage
options can help you find a place for everything once you're
there, but transporting your belongings from home to a far-off
campus - or even one close to home - can be a challenge,
whether you're doing it for the first time or the third.
* Label wisely as you go. Put your name on the box (in case it
gets separated from you) and a general list of the contents.
Make an inventory list of all your boxes and what's in them.
Remember, thousands of kids will be moving in at the same
time you are, and unlabeled boxes can easily get lost in the
confusion.
Many families with college-bound dorm-dwellers rent a
moving truck to make the job easier.
"We definitely see a spike in rentals in later summer, as
college students return to their campus residences," says
Don Mikes, senior vice president of rental for Penske Truck
Leasing. "Moving everything in a rented truck is a lot easier
than packing stuff into multiple personal vehicles."
Mikes offers some tips for packing a rental truck with
everything you'll need for college:
* Plan ahead - far ahead. Truck rental companies get busy
during back-to-school season, so reserve your truck at least
two weeks in advance of moving day. Delaying could leave
you without the transportation you need. For most college
moves, a 12- or 16-foot truck will do the trick. For help
selecting the right size truck for your move, visit
www.PenskeTruckRental.com.
* Be realistic about what you'll really need. You may be
tempted to take every piece of clothing, pair of shoes and
favorite book you own, but will you really need all that? And
more importantly, will it all fit in a dorm room that you'll likely
be sharing with at least one other person? Probably not. Pare
down to what you'll need most, such as clothes and shoes
you wear all the time. Many colleges also provide students
with a checklist of essential items that you can use to trim
down what you're taking.
* Pack in stages. If you wait to the last minute to try to pack
everything, you'll create stress and confusion.
Start early by packing things you'll need at college but don't
necessarily need at home, like extra-long sheets, towels, bath
accessories, etc. Use sturdy boxes that aren't too large to
handle, and use foam pellets and bubble wrap to protect
fragile items. Seal boxes with packing tape a