For some, moving to college doesn’t feel real until you start putting your life into boxes. In the weeks leading up to move-in, you will face the challenge of how to pack efficiently. Most students won’t be able to take excess stuff home or bring more items to campus until Thanksgiving, so here’s a guide to packing for Vanderbilt. With generally a closet provided per student alongside a desk and loftable bed, the rooms on Commons can be bare-bones. A plus about your first-year moving experience is that unpacking can be a breeze if you arrive on campus while the volunteer Move Crew is active, allowing you to not tire yourself out after a long ride to campus.
Make a list and check it twice
Making your packing list correctly is crucial to a successful packing process. Take at least a full day to brainstorm your list, thinking through the items you use daily and those used occasionally. One of the most challenging aspects of developing the packing list is being thoughtful about what to bring. Especially as a first-year student, it’s common to overpack or bring items that should’ve stayed at the store. Consider if you would seriously use every item you’d bring to Vanderbilt in relation to its size — overpacking deodorant is better than getting a microwave you would not use. Also, if you forget some items, there is a CVS conveniently right across the street from campus!
Consider pre-hanging your shirts
A great trick to reduce unpacking time and the volume of stuff being moved is to pre-hang the clothes you want to hang up and put them in a makeshift garment bag. I recommend opting for scented garbage bags to transport the clothes, as the scent will keep your clothes smelling fresh. Students also use IKEA or other packing bags, which can be easily stored and used again in the spring. It is also a good idea to wash all clothes before packing them, so you won’t have to do laundry for the first few weeks on campus.
Buy in bulk and reduce in packing
If you are like me, Costco is a best friend in dorm supply shopping. Bulk is better, right? While you get a better deal buying in bulk, consider taking items out of their original packaging and putting them into grocery or sandwich bags to only bring what you will need. You will never need those 156 detergent pods in one year, but if you portion 30 per semester, you will use up most of the box throughout your four years without unnecessary clutter. This applies to other household items such as garbage bags, cotton swabs and even snacks! Remember, the goal is to end the year with as few items as possible.
Consider packing in containers
If you’re like me, you might pre-pack your organizers to Vanderbilt, but have you thought about using your water bottles the same way? Placing miscellaneous items in a reusable bottle can help decrease the clutter. Also, don’t forget to tape shut the drawers so they don’t open when moving. Water bottles make great holders for small items such as pens, pencils and even small tissue packs. Fit as much as possible into any container you bring instead of dedicating another bag to those items.
Also, coordinate with your roommates as some rooms come with a dresser in place of a built-in closet, allowing you to skip trying to fit a separate set of drawers. Some dorms on Commons can also get cramped, so it’s recommended to consider minimizing the amount of floor space each of you occupies after unpacking.
Packing the car
This may seem obvious, but if you’re driving to campus, there is an art to packing the car for move-in. If you’re using various types of containers, consider placing the larger storage bins first and then putting smaller and more flexible containers on top. Also, consider labeling with a permanent marker your name and room number on either a taped-down scrap of paper or on the box’s tape itself, as that can greatly aid Move Crew to smoothly bring your belongings to your dorm.
Deliver to campus
Consider saving some purchases for once you reach Nashville. For example, purchasing a new chair or a television for your dorm once you get to campus is much easier than squeezing them into the back of your car. If you can’t do that, consider dismantling bulkier items and reassembling them in your dorm. Nashville has all the big chain stores (and Amazon) where you can purchase what you opted not to bring. Just be aware that the Target closest to campus quickly sells out of college move-in gear once the school year starts.
Bonus tip: Remember to pack tape!
Something so small but so crucial is duct tape. Not only does it come in handy if a bag rips while moving, but it also reduces any chance of headaches when you repack everything after the spring semester. Another item that could help you pack before summer break is scissors, but you can always get those when the spring semester is winding down. Also, a tape measure can come in clutch, letting you properly measure out items to match to appropriate boxes.
Packing can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. With this guide, you can spend less time pulling hair over packing and more time getting excited for move-in day to arrive!
