Moving out of your parents’ home can be one of the most exciting times in your life. Many college students, however, procrastinate to the extent that when the big day comes, they are not prepared and begin to feel stressed. If you are going to be leaving your family home soon for the halls of academia, there are several things that you can do to make the transition easier.
Start Packing Early
Leaving packing to the last minute is a recipe for frustration, misunderstandings and even family rifts. If you’ve promised certain items to a younger sibling, for instance, forgetting about those promises because your packing process is lacking in organization can create hard feelings. It’s also easier to forget about essential items when you’re rushing through packing.
Have Internet and Television Services Connected
You should definitely have these things turned on before you arrive at your new place. With school schedules to check and emails to send to teachers, you will need the internet to take of important school items. Calling the companies in advance to set up service will ensure that your emails will not be interrupted and that you will not miss any of your favorite television programs.
Consider Renting a Storage Unit
The chances are high that your new home will not have much storage space. To avoid cramming all of your possessions into a small student rental, consider renting an extra space storage unit for the overflow. If it’s close by, you can simply drive there and pick up items as they are needed. This is also a great place to store valuables that you can’t risk loosing. With roommates you may not know, it’s possible the door will be left unlocked or that people you don’t know will be invited to the apartment or dorm. Having your valuables in a storage unit will put your mind at ease.
Set up a Budget
If you have never set up a household budget before, ask one of your parents or another trusted adult for assistance. If this is not possible, you can search for online resources that can advise you in the basics of setting up a budget. Always remember to give yourself some financial breathing room in your budget for unforeseen expenses that may arise.
Have a Meeting With Your Future Housemates
Because most student rentals are shared accommodations, having a house meeting before anyone actually moves in recommended so that rules and expectations can be made clear. For instance, if there is to be no loud music during school nights, that should be understood among all new residents so that no one gets started off on the wrong foot. Expectations for cleanliness should also be addressed at this time.
Moving out of your parents’ home for the first time should be enjoyed as much as possible, and conducting the move in a responsible manner will help things go much more smoothly.
