I’m packing for college and wondering if I have too much? I’m bringing two medium boxes of clothes, a small box of shoes, a medium box of school and desk supplies, a medium box of bath supplies, a medium whiteboard, a small rug, a medium box with bed supplies, a door mirror, a bike and lock and helmet, a small box with decor items (lights and some wall art and non-cluttery stuff), and a few dorm plants (which I will take care of… I’ve always been in love with plants and practically have a jungle in my room now). I know most people recommend not bringing all of your clothes with you, but I’m moving out of state and far away from home to a place with all kinds of weather. I also don’t have many clothes & my closet will be considerably larger than the closet I have now at home (yay!).
For my daughter, the clothes are the issue. She’s headed to New Hampshire, so lots of warm winter clothes are a must. She probably won’t be home till Thanksgiving-- and we don’t know how she’s getting home then. SHe may get a ride with someone-- so no guarantee of trunk space-- or she may take a combination of bus/Amtrack/LIRR-- so schelpping a winter wardrobe has no appeal.
As a result, she’s bringing a lot of clothes. She can bury the off season stuff behind the fridge or over the closet, but she’s bringing it up this week.
And there is usually a store nearby if you forgot something…
The store or Amazon likely carries things that are a nuisance to bring. Personally, I took shampoo, toothpaste etc to tide me over until I arrived. Carting a little rug, decorations, door mirror, white board, and so on seen unnecessary. Clothing, computer, bike and lock are necessary and pricey to replace.
It sounds like you are driving to your school and bringing what you need. Great packing. I think students get Amazom prime for anything you need that is too inconvenient to go get. My DS goes to school far away. You will be fine and you and the other students will help each other.
Your boxes and contents sound reasonable.
If you can put those things in under bed drawers when you aren’t using them, all the better. (You can pack in the drawers, btw).
Bring less than you think, and then if you need stuff get it.
If you can transport everything listed without much struggle, then go for it. Moving to a new area with a climate that varies much from what you’re used to can be difficult, so the more you have to keep you comfortable and remind you of home, the better.
It sounds reasonable! It’s hard to judge just what and how much you will need until you spend some time there, especially if you’re going far from home. My D is starting her sophomore year and had a much better idea of what to pack this time. But when there’s a question, I always remind her that it’s not like she’s taking a week-long vacation, she’s LIVING there and as long as there’s space to store things, it’s better to have enough so that it feels like home away from home. It’s one thing to pack light for a trip and “do without” for a week or two, but do you want to spend 9-10 months feeling like you’re rewearing the same things over and over, or that your bed would be so much more comfortable with an extra blanket, or things like that?
Depending on how far you are from home, you might get on-campus storage over the summer. My daughter did and it was great for all the things she didn’t then need to bring home - desk supplies, decor, extra bedding and towels, room organizer items like storage drawers and shower caddy and hangers, etc. We either bought a lot of those things once we got there (we had to fly, not drive) or bought in advance at the Bed Bath and Beyond near home and picked up at the BBB close to the college (they do that and so does Target, I believe).
Best of luck!
Hi @MountainGoat90. How did move it go for you?
Hi @TQfromtheU. I actually started my planning for packing really early and now I’m in the freak out, I procrastinated the actual packing part mode. I move in less than a week and only have one more day to pack…I feel like I have just the right amount of everything I need; although, I went slightly overboard on the plants & I think my roommates might freak out when they find that I’m creating a jungle (haha).
Take it easy and enjoy the transition to college!
Thanks! @TQfromtheU