How do people usually pack for college? Do they use cardboard boxes? I was thinking about using suitcases for my clothes? Is that advisable?
Any other advice for moving in?
Most of my daughter’s stuff fit in two large duffle bags, and a few of those rubbermaid plastic totes. One duffle had bedding and the other had clothes in it. The totes had winter clothes, toiletries, towels, shoes, school supplies, lamp and stuff and are used as underbed storage once the stuff in them is unpacked into the desk and dresser. She also has a small duffle on wheels for trips away from school during the year that is easy to store, computer/school messenger bag, and musical instrument bag. This year she has some cardboard boxes of kitchen equipment and basic food staples because she is in a dorm apartment this year with a kitchen.
I think this varies a lot. Some people bring a lot less stuff and some a lot more. My daughter seems to have an average amount of dorm stuff, and she isn’t too fussy about interior decorating.
@Peoples I packed all my stuff into two large suitcases plus a carryon/backpack, and purchased most bulky items (bedding, paper towels, etc.) while at the dorm.
Remember to bring important documents that are often overlooked, e.g. passport, immunization forms, insurance cards.
Someone on another thread recently recommended the large Samsonite duffel bags for both moving in and storage, and it seamed like a good idea. Fold up to very little when not needed. Easy to load up at the end of the year if you need to put things in storage.
Did you leave the suitcases in your dorm or send them back home after they have been unpacked? @MITer94
@Peoples I kept them in the dorm. In case you plan to travel back home or elsewhere, a suitcase is nice to have.
Does your college offer summer storage? If so, and especially if you live far away, you will want to keep your suitcases or totes to fill for summer storage. Be sure to pay attention to the rules. At my D’s school you can put suitcases, boxes, and totes into summer storage, but NOT duffles.
A lot of dorm rooms will have a spot to store your empty luggage, like a high closet shelf, or under the bed.
Even if you bring everything home for the summer, you will need those suitcases/totes, although I have seen parents take them home to keep till the end of the year (could make end of year packing more hectic).
We drove to my son’s college and had a combination of packing approaches:
Clothes were either in a large rolling suitcase or two med to large sized duffel bags or a garmet bag for a blazer, dress shirt, pants and tie. These were all stored under his bed (duffels inside the large suitcase) in his dorm room.
Comforter, mattress pad and one throw pillow were packed in an extra large flat space bag. 6 assorted jackets were packed in a large flat space bag. One other throw pillow was packed in a med space bag.
He has two under bed drawer carts and we packed the drawers with towels, sheets, toiletries, laundry and school supplies. We taped the drawers closed for transit.
His laundry basket was filled with his bed pillow, assorted hooks and other storage devices.
His backpack was packed with all the snacks we sent him with.
Other than that the rest of the stuff was just thrown in the car where it fit - a 4x6 rolled up rug. a collapsible storage bench, another throw pillow,