College Packing Tips

I KNOW!!! It seems like it's way too soon for this, but it's not!

My son announced yesterday that he had 12 more days at home. He will be leaving to go to college.

I have two leaving for college again this year. :(

Here are five takeaways from our experiences:

1. Use a checklist (I have included some below.) Add things to the list you want to make sure you have. Check things off as you get them organized.

2. get organized From the moment you start your packing to the moment you put your stuff in the front room to go out to the car, make sure you are organized. 

3. bring more/bring less This depends on how far you are going. Your family can always send stuff in the mail if you have forgotten something. Better yet, they can bring it to you…later (once you get settled). If you bring more than you need, send it back with your family.

4. use a rooftop carrier This is probably one of the best things we did. It was so easy to put the durable stuff up there and make sure the delicate things were inside the car. It gives you so much more room. If you don’t have one, you can rent them or better yet, borrow one from a friend. It really does make a difference in space.

5. Pack liquid things in baggies Yes, we have learned this one from experience. Even if it’s brand new. It just takes that little jostle to loosen it up.

Here are a few packing lists we found useful.
Click on the photo to go to the website for more tips.

Now that you have some lists to go by, here are some tips I found for the actual packing part. 

Are you trying to figure out HOW to pack all that stuff so that it is organized and easy to set up in your dorm room? If so, you HAVE to check out this blog.

From labeling to using something from your kitchen to help your stuff stay in place...

Gabby and Hannah have some amazing ideas about the actual packing part of the college trip. Click on the photo above to get to their website. 

Now for the actual packing of the car. Kimberly Ann has some great tips about this.

Getting a jump on packing your stuff up and making sure it is organized. Sure sounds like a theme here.

A quick little article I came across has a BRILLIANT idea!

Packing an unpacking crate.

What is it? 

This crate has EVERYTHING you need to start getting unpacked.

Things you will need immediately upon arrival.

I love it! 

We are definitely doing this.