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Three Steps to Complete When Preparing to Move to College

Moving away to college, especially if that college is fairly far from the home you've grown up in, can be a scary event in your life. While you worry about the separation and the changes that will inevitably come your way, you also have to successfully plan and execute the process of relocation. For some people, this might seem like an insurmountable task, but the reality of the situation is that anyone can do this. Emotions will be strong, and the chaos of moving will be ever present in your mind, which is why our relocation experts have come up with the following three steps that you need to complete in order to successfully navigate this difficult path in your life. At times it might seem easier to take the path of least resistance, but a little planning and hard work will really pay off in the end.

Step One: Paperwork and Planning
So you've gotten accepted to the college that you had hoped for, but that's not the know all and end all of the enrollment process. On the contrary, that is just the beginning. Before you start packing and saying your goodbyes, there are plenty of other things to take care of to ensure your first day of classes goes off without a hitch. Be sure to take care of these things before you even think about starting the moving process.
  • Financial Concerns: Be sure that you've planned for a way to actually pay for college. This can be expensive, so if you are counting on Federal Financial Aid or scholarships, make sure the paperwork is complete and you have your approval letter in hand. If you or your parents are paying for classes, be sure that your fees are paid before you move so that there is no delay in starting classes on the first day.
  • Living Arrangements: Take care of plans regarding where you will be living and sign any leases prior to moving to your new school. Likewise, create a meal plan and a budget that you can take with you so that your adult life starts out on the right foot regardless of where you will be going to school. If you will be living with roommates, be sure that all paperwork requiring collaboration is complete as well.
  • Acceptance and Class Concerns: Remember that the letter you got accepting you to the college doesn't mean you can just show up and start taking classes. You need to take care of accepting the acceptance letter and actually enrolling in classes that will help you meet the goals of your degree plan. Be sure to complete this paperwork and planning prior to making your move.

Step Two: Packing and Preparing to Move
Once you're sure that everything is taken care of so that you will definitely be starting classes soon, you can move on to the next step. This step consists of the plans that you will make to get you and your things to your new home. Whether you will be living on campus in a dorm room, or off campus in a rental somewhere close, be sure that you pack and prepare for the specific situation you will soon find yourself in.
  • Packing What You Need: If you ask anyone who's been to college before, they will tell you that dorm rooms and shared apartments are not very big. As such, you should choose what you pack carefully. Opt for the smaller items over the larger ones, and consider leaving a lot of sentimental items behind for your parents to take care of while you are away. Remember that you will not be in college forever, so pack only what you need for now.
  • Hiring a Mover: It might seem counterproductive to hire a moving company to move the small amount of stuff you are taking with you to college, but hiring a mover can sometimes be the cheapest and easiest option. This is even more true if you are moving pretty far away from your current home. Be sure that you check into various different companies and get moving quotes so that you can find one that will treat your things the way you would want them to be treated for a cost that you and your parents can afford. If you take the time to discover the right moving companies, you won't have to worry about your things and transporting them to your new home.
  • Stay Organized: As you pack and plan for moving day, especially if you've hired movers to transport your things, be sure to keep everything organized. This is vital, as you don't want to lose anything that you might need when you start your independent life. A good way to stay organized as you pack would be to label all of your boxes with your name and a brief description of each boxes contents. You can also keep a separate inventory on a sheet of paper in a folder where you will keep all important paperwork together as well.

Step Three: Communication and Execution
The final step involved in the process leading up to your move to college involves communication with anyone who will be involved in the process as well as actually setting things into motion. It can be scary when you put all of your planning to work, but if you've taken the time to set everything up ahead of time, you can rest easy knowing that things will flow easily all the way up to the first day of classes.
  • Contact Your Roommates: If you will be living with roommates when you arrive at your college, then it is a good idea to contact them ahead of time. While some dorm rooms are furnished, others are not, so you should collaborate with your new roommates to ensure that the room is furnished and has everything you all will need to live comfortably over the next few years. Be sure to be ready to chip in your share of things; if someone else is bringing a table, or a couch, offer to bring a desk, television, or mini fridge.
  • Confirm Dates and Times: As moving day approaches, be sure to put the final touches on any moving plans and confirm all dates and times that are relevant to the day. Call the company you've hired and confirm that they will be at your home when you have scheduled them to be there. Contact the school and confirm that your paperwork is in order. Finally, contact any utility companies or similar contacts to ensure your living area is ready when you arrive.
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  • Say Your Goodbyes: Take time to say goodbye to the people that have been in your life from day one. If you've lived in one area for a long time, chances are you may have a hard time just leaving. That's why you should take a moment and plan a going away party or get together so that you can properly thank everyone and tell them you will be going away. Collect addresses and contact information so that you can stay in touch as well.

Moving away to college isn't always a simple task, especially if you've lived in one place for most of your life. That's why planning ahead and getting everything in order from the very beginning is such an important thing that will help you in many other situations, even in moving after college. Be sure to keep these helpful tips in mind as you traverse this path in your journey from childhood to adulthood. In the end, you will be thankful that you were able to move forward while retaining control of the things around you.