While you may be putting the finishing touches on your final projects and prepping for final exams, if you live in a dorm, one thing you should not ignore is college move-out day.
To help you out, here are some tips and key things to help make your move out process as smooth as possible.
Start early
The best thing you can do to make your moving out experience easier is start early. Pack at least a week in advance, starting with seasonal clothes and other supplies you use the least, so you are not rushing to pack everything at the last minute. As the week goes on and you get closer to the move out date, you can pack up the items you use the most such as TV’s, bedding and clothes you would normally wear.
This approach to moving out will help prevent the scrambling, stress and anxiety that come with moving out, giving you time to take care of other tasks you may have.
Make use of the blue Goodwill bins
Available until May 12 in the common areas of each resident hall, the Goodwill bins are an easy way to clean your room and donate all the materials you don’t want to take home. Separating your belongings into things you want to keep, donate or trash is a way to help declutter and stay organized.
The bins accept a range of items such as shoes, clothes, blankets, small electronics, computers and more. For more information on the Goodwill bins, you can call the Work Request Office phone number, (815) 753-4948.
Ask for help
Moving out does not have to be a solo endeavor. Enlisting the help of friends and family or even hiring movers to help you clean out your room and transport everything back home will make your life easier.
Moving out can be demanding on the body, so remember to stay hydrated and take breaks from all the heavy lifting to keep from burning out.
If you need more assistance moving out and don’t know where to start, NIU Housing and Residential Services offers a checklist to follow to help make your move out experience simpler. Failure to fulfill all the tasks on the checklist may result in a checkout fee of $50, according to Housing and Residential Services.
