Hi, I’ve been worried about this topic since September, but seeing as I’ll be going to university in only a few months, reality has definitely hit me. I live in Ontario, and I will be attending university in British-Columbia. I was wondering if any other college students out there have experienced flying to university, and what they packed/how they packed. My mom, dad, and four siblings will be coming with me, so seven people including myself.
So if anyone could make a list of what I should pack/how I can get my supplies there, it’d be super helpful
Since you have your family flying with you, they can help you bring some extra suitcases. I’d recommend buying bigger items like furniture once you get there. One important thing to keep in mind though is that anything you move in you also have to move out.
Get to know Amazon Prime and order most things once you get there and see what you need.
That is a hugely expensive college dropoff trip! And dropoff isn’t much fun for siblings. Not sure what airlines are doing in Canada, but here in the US most charge bag check fees. So having sibs take extra suitcases is still pricey. Southwest in the US has two bags free per passenger, so if you have that choice it is good. If Amazon Prime is an option, I also agree with that. Check with your college, you may be able to mail boxes to yourself a few weeks before you leave.
Is there something like an accepted students Facebook group that you can use to ask questions? Or a webpage for the student housing office? In my opinion, you have a greater risk of over-packing than under-packing. And before you start ordering stuff ahead of time to be delivered to the college, check on the rules for that. My kid’s school had a date when you could start having packages delivered, and if you shipped stuff ahead of that time they would refused to take delivery. Also, beware of packing too much or packing or ordering things that are not allowed. While I was helping my freshman move in, there was a family that had brought a very fancy swiveling adjustable desk chair for their daughter. But the RA made it very clear that she couldn’t keep it. The configuration of her small double room meant that her fancy chair would’ve intruded on the space for the roommate’s desk and chair.
We packed and mailed a lot of boxes - Seattle to New England - you figure out how to do it without killing yourself!
I don’t know what stores Vancouver or Victoria have, but I would look for a store like Bed Bath and Beyond where you can order a lot of bedding, supplies, lighting, linens, basis furniture either online or at your local store and then pick it up at a store in your destination. It is packaged up at the destination, and is ready and waiting for you to pick up in just a few minutes. Many US students do that for the convenience. Also, most schools like UBC have stores right nearby so it’s really not necessary to stock up on supplies for the whole semester.
One good hint that we got from someone was to use one of those plastic vacuum bags for clothing, comforters and linens, and it sucks the air out so it can pack compactly. You easily double the space you have available.
I also wouldn’t overpack for school. You really won’t know what your room already has, what your roommates brought, and what space you have to work with until you get to school, so packing loads and loads of stuff will just mean that your parents will have to take it back with them. My D flew to school with both parents, and we used all our luggage allowances (6 total) to haul her stuff across the country. It really was too much; things like winter coats, musical instruments and sports equipment rarely played, can be left for future trips. And for gosh’s sakes, don’t bring your skis as a freshman; it will look ridiculous.
First think about when/if you will be going home during the semester.
Would you go home for Thanksgiving or any other holiday? If so, then don’t bring winter clothes/coats now unless it will get cold before then.
Buy bedding when you get out to school…or maybe bring sheets with you and order a comforter.
If you need a refrigerator, rent it at school or coordinate with roommate.
Buy school supplies (notebooks, paper, etc) out there
Buy underbed storeage there.
At the end of the year, rent and share a storeage unit or find a friend that will let you store stuff over the summer.
I would really re-think having 4 siblings come! Can one parent take you?
Ground shipping in Canada is a lot more expensive than the States. I wouldn’t recommend that. Your best bet is to take your laptop and your clothes - you probably won’t need the snow boots unless you’re planning to go to Whistler. If you have too much for one suitcase, take two or have mom/dad/siblings take 2. The cost for a second suitcase is a lot less than buying things in Vancouver. Get everything else there. Paper, binder, comforter, sheets. If you’re staying in residence, you really won’t need much.
Have you seen this page? http://vancouver.housing.ubc.ca/residence-life/moving-in/what-should-i-pack/
Pack and mail some boxes to the university - they should email you with the info for who/where to address your stuff to. Buy most stuff when you actually get there, and invest in a storage unit in the area so you don’t have to lug all your stuff back for summer only to have to send it again in august/september.
I always remember hearing about Bed, Bath, and Beyond’s thing where you go to the BBB in your town, scan the items you want to buy, and then they make sure it’s all waiting for you at the BBB in your college town. Others have probably started doing that too? It’s a good alternative to amazon if you like to see what you’re buying in person.
There is really no need to have siblings go along. Say farewell at home…they will not enjoy the drop off experience. Many stores (Target, etc.) let you buy ahead and pick up in store. Many companies ship directly to to school for you to pick up on dorm move in day. You are not moving to the moon so virtually everything you need can be purchased once you get there…no need to haul too much except the very personal things.