11 Tips and Tricks for Moving Your Kid to College
Moving your child to college is a milestone event. Use these tips to
plan ahead, so the day you drop them off is as stress-free as possible.
1. Coordinate with roommates
You don’t want to end up with two printers and two televisions in a tiny dorm room. Encouraging detailed conversations between your kid and their roommate will save you from buying, packing, and carting items they won’t need to the room.
2. Stock up before you go
Take the time to purchase plates, cups and necessary kitchen items such as pots, pans, and mixing bowls, as well as sheets, blankets, and the other items they’ll need for their room. Stocking up on these items in a college town, especially a small college town, can be difficult if everyone else has the same idea.
3. Beat the crowd
Choose a later move-in time to avoid the crowds of overeager students and their parents. You’ll have more room in the hallways and stairs to move boxes and such, and with any luck, their roommate will already be settled in the room, giving you extra space to get your kiddo organized.
4. Utilize hand trucks
Even if your child is a conservative packer, they are still going to bring everything they need to survive six months or more without you. Make your trips to the dorm room count with a hand truck (or two!) that can carry far more than you could alone. Your move will be more productive, and you’ll have more time to help unpack or celebrate the event with a meal before you head out.
Looking for a multi-purpose moving tool? Consider a collapsible hand truck. These can be used upright or convert into a four-wheel dolly for greater functionality.
5. Do the bed set up first
Many dorm room beds elevate so the desk or dresser can slide underneath it. This setup will make the room feel larger and less confined. By doing the bed set up first, you can configure how the rest of the room fits together rather quickly. Plus, that extra room underneath is a good place to pile things until they can get settled.
6. Invest in a mattress cover
You have no idea how many students that twin mattress has survived. That’s why it’s wise to invest in a mattress protector that will act as a barrier between your child and the mystery mattress. If you can, get one that zips so it won’t bunch up under the sheets.
7. Bring extension cords
There are normally only two to three electrical outlets per side in a dorm room, which isn’t sufficient for all of the things that will inevitably be plugged in. By packing extension cords and a surge protector your kid will be charged up and you’ll sidestep any outlet fights.
8. Purchase a toolkit
Purchasing a basic toolkit for your child to keep in their room is a very good idea. You’ll likely have need of one during the move, and if your student wants to adjust their bed height, hang art, or needs to fix something, a toolkit will come in handy.
9. Cleaning supplies
You may be under the impression that your child will clean without you there, but the likelihood is they will not. Help nudge them in the right direction by buying cleaning supplies that are easy to use and toss, like disinfecting wipes, paper towels, and cleaning sprays. They’ll only do basic cleaning, so don’t bother stocking them up in the hopes they’ll clean as you do.
10. Don’t forget protective footwear
The floor situation in many dorm rooms is atrocious. There is no 5-second rule, and you definitely don’t want to chance it with bare feet, especially in the bathrooms. Ensure that slippers and shower shoes make it into the moving boxes.
11. Find the nearest pharmacy
You won’t want your kiddo wandering around in search of a pharmacy when they have need of one at 2 in the morning. Scope out the nearest pharmacy, stock up on cold medicine and a first aid kit, and plan the route to and from their dorm.
About Magline
Magline has continued to innovate and deliver value as a US-based manufacturer. They have been in business for 70 years, during which they have built a legacy of innovation, quality, and value. Magline is committed to creating innovative solutions driven by the needs of their customers that ensure safety when transporting materials. Offering a large hand cart selection and the best powered material handling tools on the market, Magline has the products you need.
Invest in innovation at Magliner.com
1. Coordinate with roommates
You don’t want to end up with two printers and two televisions in a tiny dorm room. Encouraging detailed conversations between your kid and their roommate will save you from buying, packing, and carting items they won’t need to the room.
2. Stock up before you go
Take the time to purchase plates, cups and necessary kitchen items such as pots, pans, and mixing bowls, as well as sheets, blankets, and the other items they’ll need for their room. Stocking up on these items in a college town, especially a small college town, can be difficult if everyone else has the same idea.
3. Beat the crowd
Choose a later move-in time to avoid the crowds of overeager students and their parents. You’ll have more room in the hallways and stairs to move boxes and such, and with any luck, their roommate will already be settled in the room, giving you extra space to get your kiddo organized.
4. Utilize hand trucks
Even if your child is a conservative packer, they are still going to bring everything they need to survive six months or more without you. Make your trips to the dorm room count with a hand truck (or two!) that can carry far more than you could alone. Your move will be more productive, and you’ll have more time to help unpack or celebrate the event with a meal before you head out.
Looking for a multi-purpose moving tool? Consider a collapsible hand truck. These can be used upright or convert into a four-wheel dolly for greater functionality.
5. Do the bed set up first
Many dorm room beds elevate so the desk or dresser can slide underneath it. This setup will make the room feel larger and less confined. By doing the bed set up first, you can configure how the rest of the room fits together rather quickly. Plus, that extra room underneath is a good place to pile things until they can get settled.
6. Invest in a mattress cover
You have no idea how many students that twin mattress has survived. That’s why it’s wise to invest in a mattress protector that will act as a barrier between your child and the mystery mattress. If you can, get one that zips so it won’t bunch up under the sheets.
7. Bring extension cords
There are normally only two to three electrical outlets per side in a dorm room, which isn’t sufficient for all of the things that will inevitably be plugged in. By packing extension cords and a surge protector your kid will be charged up and you’ll sidestep any outlet fights.
8. Purchase a toolkit
Purchasing a basic toolkit for your child to keep in their room is a very good idea. You’ll likely have need of one during the move, and if your student wants to adjust their bed height, hang art, or needs to fix something, a toolkit will come in handy.
9. Cleaning supplies
You may be under the impression that your child will clean without you there, but the likelihood is they will not. Help nudge them in the right direction by buying cleaning supplies that are easy to use and toss, like disinfecting wipes, paper towels, and cleaning sprays. They’ll only do basic cleaning, so don’t bother stocking them up in the hopes they’ll clean as you do.
10. Don’t forget protective footwear
The floor situation in many dorm rooms is atrocious. There is no 5-second rule, and you definitely don’t want to chance it with bare feet, especially in the bathrooms. Ensure that slippers and shower shoes make it into the moving boxes.
11. Find the nearest pharmacy
You won’t want your kiddo wandering around in search of a pharmacy when they have need of one at 2 in the morning. Scope out the nearest pharmacy, stock up on cold medicine and a first aid kit, and plan the route to and from their dorm.
About Magline
Magline has continued to innovate and deliver value as a US-based manufacturer. They have been in business for 70 years, during which they have built a legacy of innovation, quality, and value. Magline is committed to creating innovative solutions driven by the needs of their customers that ensure safety when transporting materials. Offering a large hand cart selection and the best powered material handling tools on the market, Magline has the products you need.
Invest in innovation at Magliner.com
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