It is actually hard to believe that it is already time to consider moving my daughter back to college. I feel like summer barely started and we just got her unpacked and now it’s time to pack up and move her back out again. Many college students choose to live off-campus into an apartment, and she is following suit. It’s off-campus housing for her! Moving into a college dorm is so different because she was with a provided desk, bed, and dresser.
No one had to move anything except small refrigerators, throw carpets, etc. However, the apartments come completely unfurnished. We are preparing her for a completely different type of move. I should say let the back-breaking agonizing pain of moving in begin.
Tips To Make Moving Your College Student Into an Apartment Easier
*Updated August 2019
There’s simply not enough pain reliever in the world for a day of college-moving. I have some definite inside secrets to make this move into a college apartment as easy as possible. Lavishly live life out loud and use my tips for moving your college student into apartments easier and effortless.
Dump and Feel Divine
Now is your chance to clean up the mess that has accrued since your darling has arrived home in April. Ready to feel good about cleaning up space? First things first, take a conscious look at all the items they have packed and unpacked.
Filter through all of the garbage and that is all I can call it. Have a trash bag ready and waiting and do not hesitate to toss stuff out!
Get rid of the open snacks that they did not eat there probably stale. Also, take stock of what they will need in other words whatever needs to be replenished. (1/2 drank water, etc).
Reuse – Everything Old Is New Again
When my daughter said she was moving into an apartment, I was like, “Oh Yea!” Not because I want her away from me, but because I could literally clean out a large space in my basement. There is so much there I am happy to donate to her need.
I went through as much as I could, which totally cut down on what we needed to purchase. This is the first apartment, and while she might want it to be oh so trendy, and posh, she is not working, so she has to take what she can get!
Dishes, pots, pans, chairs, tables and even decor, I just packed it all up. She has closets so she can store what she needs and use what she wants to. This was blissful to me!
Bedding
Bedding is always an issue. The kids pack up their stuff from the rooms and never consider washing the comforters, or the pillows. They sleep in their beds up to the last day of classes and then rip them off, toss them in a garbage bag and toss to them in the house when they get home.
We had to purchase a new mattress. Simply out of time, my decision was to get a bed in a box. NO flimsy mattress, at least 10″ don’t go less and then ship the sucker right to the address! Easy. Peasy. Done.
Totally gross. Make sure you sift through all of it, shake it all out and then set it on a disinfectant load in the washing machine! Wash, dry, fold and put in a large garbage bag to head out with your child!
Shopping trip
As alluded to before, you will need to do a minimalistic bit of shopping, but definitely, do this before you get to the school. You do not want to be stuck at the local grocery store with everyone else grabbing what you forgot and a ton of other add-ons.
This costs time and loses the great parking space you got when you arrived early to unpack. (so twisted I know!). In most cases, a move into an apartment usually means they will be rooming it with at least one other person, often up to 4. Bearing that in mind you do not need to purchase every last thing in the warehouse club.
Most Popular Shopping Needs For College Apartments
I highly suggest lots of bottled water, microwave popcorn, and bagged snacks that are portion controlled. Not so much for the portioning but for the fact that they are very portable as well as easily tossed into backpacks. Remember your student is on the fly 24 seven!
Don’t forget to grab energy bars and a few energy drinks. Coffee pods for their midnight brews (we all know they sleep through their mornings!). Purchasing these consumables ahead, take the stress off the day of the move and they store well!
Paper wares
I never knew that we would like a product like this. In fact, since she’s gotten them, so have we. Bulk paper towels to the door, and there is nothing easier than that! No trips to the store, it’s all online 24/7.
There is nothing like the awful stench of dirty dishes in a small apartment. I highly suggest purchasing paper where is in bulk. Paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, and napkins are all college students best friend especially those living in an apartment off-campus.
I bought in bulk on Amazon and had them delivered to her door. NO lugging from the parking spot up the steps of the apartment. We left that for her to do. Right from her front door up the steps. Consider these bulk, and well-priced paper plates.
*****Furniture*****
Don’t break your back this year there’s no reason to. In fact, my number one tip to share with all of you is how to make moving into a college apartment, apartment after you’ve graduated, or any other temporary living quarters so much easier!
Start shopping at your local thrift stores. You are going to find some really great deals. Make sure when you buy any tables or chairs, the legs are solid.
Reupholstering is super easy and so inexpensive. As long as you have scissors and a Staple gun, you’ve got this!
Tables for dining vary. Check out tables with leaves that collapse and can double as a desk. Or, checkout high top tables that allow you to seat just one or two.
Remember, your living quarters are not going to be huge, so don’t max out on furniture pieces that hog up space. My daughter LOVES this particular set on Amazon. It is a Linon Tavern Collection 3-Piece Table Set. A table with 2 stools, just perfect seating. It is super inexpensive too, at $89 you just can’t go wrong!
Use a trunk as a coffee table and as a storage space for blankets and extra pillows. Pretty much, these are indestructible and honestly can often be found dirt cheap in Goodwill stores for less than $10.
Money, Credit Cards, Passports & Other Oddities
So what do you do with money, credit cards, passports, social security cards and other things of the like? Well, you really need a portable locking safe, like this one from SAFEGO. We love it!
You can actually put on the bar of your closet and many other places that it will be attached to until you undo it. Lock up your phone, jewelry and any other valuables you have. When it is time to go home, take it with you! Easy! Right?
The safe should have a locking mechanism, with a passcode as well as a key to override. We found the perfect solution to this. In fact, it can go on vacation with you too when you leave with your friends for a break.
SAFEGO comes in many different colors, which means there is one for everyone. Just choose your color and order it. Don’t go to school in a dorm or apartment without one!
Attach it to a chain-link fence, a dorm room desk, an apartment closet pole, etc. Set the combination and put your stuff in there. It’s not going anywhere. Fast and easy to set your combination and because it is portable you never have to worry about ruining a wall or floor by bolting it. The poles are so strong, and they are bolted into the wall! It’s there to stay until YOU open it.
Security
Your safety is pretty much up to you. For sliding doors, purchase an adjustable bar that makes it hard to just slide the door open. Instead, an intruder would have to break the glass. You can also use this security tool for your door handle. Buy 2.
Check out the newer company called SimpliSafe. They are very reasonable and offer a plethora of security options for apartments, homes, etc.
Parking And Safety
Last, also make sure you always park in a well-lit area and keep the doors of your vehicle locked. Leave nothing of value in your car, just in case. Finally, renters insurance is a must. It costs pennies on the dollar, in most cases under $100 a year and your that makes you the Renter covered in case of issues like theft and damage in the apartment.
Make A List
The easiest way to tackle all the mayhem is to create a list. Organize everything before you move in. Make sure everything is clean before you transfer it to its new place. Have a bunch of friends help you out on moving day. It just makes it easier.
Also, always make sure your college student knows where everything is, in the items you packed. Chances are you will pack it up without their assistance. Most college-bound students are working and you will pick up the brunt of the work.
Hopefully, these tips to make moving your college student into an apartment do make it easier for you ~ Dana XO
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