“On Sale” Now! – Preparing for Your College Move
By Valarie R. Austin, March 30th, 2021, 12:00 PM EDT
In March and April, colleges begin sending out acceptance letters to potential candidates during the regular decision notification period. According to a Best Colleges article, students have until the beginning of May to inform their school of choice about their decision to attend the fall session (https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/college-application-deadlines/). After they make their college choices, admitted applicants will begin the next steps in their academic journey to attend college as freshmen. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented some challenges to colleges and students. Since the federal and state governments have rolled-out various vaccines, however, the return to a “normal” environment will include students returning to in-person classes and living on campus. For enrolled college freshmen that will reside in college dorms, the planning process for shopping and packing for their college move-in should begin as early as possible. Successful preparation culminates in the student’s drop-off at his/her college’s dorm.
Parent(s) and high school seniors have the herculean task of packing for college. They normally start buying items in July and August for the students’ transition to their first year in college. The reality is most parents and some college freshmen “choose” to bring everything. They see the college as a no man’s land without access to modern conveniences. In reality, most colleges are centers of a community with campus retail shops and nearby off-campus stores accessible by public transportation. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has created an explosion of e-commerce. Most items are available from store-to-door with online tracking via next day or within a few days delivery. Before the college dorm drop-off in late August or early September, there are plenty of merchandise sale periods, including Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day to collect dorm supplies. The best practice is to gather dorm supplies over time, especially items “on sale” instead of big, expensive and rushed purchases before leaving for college.
The ritual of packing for college can be fun and exciting but a freshman should take into consideration the dorm’s space using the school’s suggested packing list as a guide. Dorm room’s schematics/dimensions and packing lists are typically available on a college’s website under Student Life or Housing. In addition, the soon-to-be freshman may ask to see a typical dorm room during a campus visit. If knowing what to pack is a struggle, the college freshman can call or email the college admissions office for information. Before move-in day, students should ask about the following:
o Each dorm’s location to campus amenities such as dining hall and gym
o Available room layout options, the dorms’ ages and dorm security
o On-call maintenance and pest control procedures
o Kitchen and laundry access
o Roommate(s) selection process
o Availability of dressers and book cases
o Whether dorms/floors are coed or single sex, and opposite-sex visiting policies
o Availability of resident assistants or advisors per floor
Being prepared and knowledgeable about a college dorm will make moving in simple and less stressful for students as well as parents.
To generate a shopping list, prospective freshmen can begin by looking at their room at home to imagine how they would decorate their dorm room. Items that should be available in the dorm room include beds with mattresses, closets and desks with chairs. To make the dorm feel like home, the college student (and parent) should bring essential items. These essential items include but are not limited to sheets, pillowcases, pillows, a mattress pad, a full/queen-sized comforter, blanket, a couple of photos with frames of family and friends, clothes hangers, a lock box for valuables, curtains and a dirty clothes hamper/bag. In addition, a rolling duffel bag and a gym bag are good purchases to carry these items. For the shared or private bathroom, necessary items are towels, face cloths, flip-flops, a robe, toiletries and a small shower caddy. Cleaning the living space requires supplies, including sanitizing wipes, paper towels, sponges, a mop, broom and dustpan. For studying, the student will probably need a laptop, reading lamp, surge protector, wastebasket and clock. Do not forget pens, pencils, notepads, scientific calculator (as needed) and printer paper. Students may have access to printers in the library and computer labs; therefore, purchasing a printer may not be necessary. This purchase can be postponed until the student gets to campus and views the available space in the dorm room.
Unless they have a single room or suite, prospective freshmen should find out if they are sharing a living space with a roommate or more student occupants. Buying and bringing large ticket items like a big screen television, mini-fridge or microwave should “wait” until the student gets on campus. The college freshman might be able to share purchase costs among roommates. A Collegiate Checklist article theorized that purchasing kitchen preparation utensils depends on how often the freshman will dine in the dorm room (https://collegiatechecklist.com/checklist/kitchen/). There are several options offered for meal plans that may reduce the number of meals a student will prepare in the room. Numerous colleges also operate on-campus eateries and convenience stores/vending. Despite these campus food services, students living in the dorm still may need meal preparation and storage items such as a single burner (if permitted), a small cooking pot, microwaveable mugs, plates/bowls, a metal thermos/water bottle and Ziploc bags. Disposable cups and utensils such as forks and knives will be available in the dining facility too. The student can purchase additional kitchen necessities on a case-by-case basis after arrival at college.
For academic year 2021-2022, many high school seniors are anticipating living independently from parents and enjoying the college life. Each student’s excitement will grow exponentially as they get ready to move on campus. The pleasure and joy of moving in may be impacted if they bring too much stuff that has to be stored or thrown away. Instead of a dash to buy at the last minute, prospective college freshman and parent(s) should limit their purchases to items that are necessary. There are many resources to verify things to bring. Monitoring how the student adapts to college life, then the student (or parent) can purchase what the student needs to be successful. Most college towns have nearby stores to pick up missing items. Additionally, numerous items can be purchased online and delivered quickly. The transition to campus housing is a milestone on a continuum of independent living for students. It is not a pass/fail test but a chance to experiment and learn from the experience. Have fun!
The Student's Comprehensive Guide For College & Other Life Lessons
La Guía Comprensiva del Estudiante para la Universidad & Otras Lecciones de Vida
(Previously Published on LinkedIn)
In March and April, colleges begin sending out acceptance letters to potential candidates during the regular decision notification period. According to a Best Colleges article, students have until the beginning of May to inform their school of choice about their decision to attend the fall session (https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/college-application-deadlines/). After they make their college choices, admitted applicants will begin the next steps in their academic journey to attend college as freshmen. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented some challenges to colleges and students. Since the federal and state governments have rolled-out various vaccines, however, the return to a “normal” environment will include students returning to in-person classes and living on campus. For enrolled college freshmen that will reside in college dorms, the planning process for shopping and packing for their college move-in should begin as early as possible. Successful preparation culminates in the student’s drop-off at his/her college’s dorm.
Parent(s) and high school seniors have the herculean task of packing for college. They normally start buying items in July and August for the students’ transition to their first year in college. The reality is most parents and some college freshmen “choose” to bring everything. They see the college as a no man’s land without access to modern conveniences. In reality, most colleges are centers of a community with campus retail shops and nearby off-campus stores accessible by public transportation. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has created an explosion of e-commerce. Most items are available from store-to-door with online tracking via next day or within a few days delivery. Before the college dorm drop-off in late August or early September, there are plenty of merchandise sale periods, including Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day to collect dorm supplies. The best practice is to gather dorm supplies over time, especially items “on sale” instead of big, expensive and rushed purchases before leaving for college.
The ritual of packing for college can be fun and exciting but a freshman should take into consideration the dorm’s space using the school’s suggested packing list as a guide. Dorm room’s schematics/dimensions and packing lists are typically available on a college’s website under Student Life or Housing. In addition, the soon-to-be freshman may ask to see a typical dorm room during a campus visit. If knowing what to pack is a struggle, the college freshman can call or email the college admissions office for information. Before move-in day, students should ask about the following:
o Each dorm’s location to campus amenities such as dining hall and gym
o Available room layout options, the dorms’ ages and dorm security
o On-call maintenance and pest control procedures
o Kitchen and laundry access
o Roommate(s) selection process
o Availability of dressers and book cases
o Whether dorms/floors are coed or single sex, and opposite-sex visiting policies
o Availability of resident assistants or advisors per floor
Being prepared and knowledgeable about a college dorm will make moving in simple and less stressful for students as well as parents.
To generate a shopping list, prospective freshmen can begin by looking at their room at home to imagine how they would decorate their dorm room. Items that should be available in the dorm room include beds with mattresses, closets and desks with chairs. To make the dorm feel like home, the college student (and parent) should bring essential items. These essential items include but are not limited to sheets, pillowcases, pillows, a mattress pad, a full/queen-sized comforter, blanket, a couple of photos with frames of family and friends, clothes hangers, a lock box for valuables, curtains and a dirty clothes hamper/bag. In addition, a rolling duffel bag and a gym bag are good purchases to carry these items. For the shared or private bathroom, necessary items are towels, face cloths, flip-flops, a robe, toiletries and a small shower caddy. Cleaning the living space requires supplies, including sanitizing wipes, paper towels, sponges, a mop, broom and dustpan. For studying, the student will probably need a laptop, reading lamp, surge protector, wastebasket and clock. Do not forget pens, pencils, notepads, scientific calculator (as needed) and printer paper. Students may have access to printers in the library and computer labs; therefore, purchasing a printer may not be necessary. This purchase can be postponed until the student gets to campus and views the available space in the dorm room.
Unless they have a single room or suite, prospective freshmen should find out if they are sharing a living space with a roommate or more student occupants. Buying and bringing large ticket items like a big screen television, mini-fridge or microwave should “wait” until the student gets on campus. The college freshman might be able to share purchase costs among roommates. A Collegiate Checklist article theorized that purchasing kitchen preparation utensils depends on how often the freshman will dine in the dorm room (https://collegiatechecklist.com/checklist/kitchen/). There are several options offered for meal plans that may reduce the number of meals a student will prepare in the room. Numerous colleges also operate on-campus eateries and convenience stores/vending. Despite these campus food services, students living in the dorm still may need meal preparation and storage items such as a single burner (if permitted), a small cooking pot, microwaveable mugs, plates/bowls, a metal thermos/water bottle and Ziploc bags. Disposable cups and utensils such as forks and knives will be available in the dining facility too. The student can purchase additional kitchen necessities on a case-by-case basis after arrival at college.
For academic year 2021-2022, many high school seniors are anticipating living independently from parents and enjoying the college life. Each student’s excitement will grow exponentially as they get ready to move on campus. The pleasure and joy of moving in may be impacted if they bring too much stuff that has to be stored or thrown away. Instead of a dash to buy at the last minute, prospective college freshman and parent(s) should limit their purchases to items that are necessary. There are many resources to verify things to bring. Monitoring how the student adapts to college life, then the student (or parent) can purchase what the student needs to be successful. Most college towns have nearby stores to pick up missing items. Additionally, numerous items can be purchased online and delivered quickly. The transition to campus housing is a milestone on a continuum of independent living for students. It is not a pass/fail test but a chance to experiment and learn from the experience. Have fun!
Valarie R. Austin is the author of The Student’s Comprehensive Guide for College & Other Life Lessons. She has a wealth of knowledge on the subjects of career and college preparation. She also conducts career and college readiness workshops for high school students and parents. Check out her author’s pages on https://www.linkedin/in/valarie-r-austin, https://www.goodreads.com/valarie_r_austin and https://www.amazon.com/author/valarie_r_austin. A Youtube.com review of her book can found at https://youtu.be/xy_GSHlJsa0. This article was edited by Raffie Johnson. Copyright 2021, Vauboix Publishing LLC. (Article 1 of 5, spring 2021)
The Student's Comprehensive Guide For College & Other Life Lessons
La Guía Comprensiva del Estudiante para la Universidad & Otras Lecciones de Vida
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