Making the Move: Tips on How to Move Out of Your Dorm

Approaching midterm exams, winter semester graduation, meaningful farewell parties, or the daunting task of moving out of your dorm? There are plenty of simple ways to make your college move out less of a headache and more of an exciting transition — but only with the right strategy.

Here are some tips to help you glide through the process like a pro.

Plan & Organize

Create a Moving Checklist

Just as you wouldn’t tackle an exam without a study plan, don’t approach moving out of college without a checklist.

How to make moving easier? Begin by jotting down everything you need to do before moving day. This list is your roadmap to a smooth move-out experience.

• Inventory Your Belongings: Take stock of what you have. It’s like a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, you’re rediscovering that sweater you borrowed from your roommate last semester. Make a list of items you own; items you’ve borrowed and perhaps items you should have returned to the library weeks ago.
• Sort & Categorize: Divide your belongings into categories: clothes, books, electronics, and kitchenware, for example. Within these, create sub-categories: items to take home, donate, sell, or toss. Remember, that pile of old notes and papers? It’s time to decide if they’re worth the space in your suitcase. This is a crucial step in knowing how to pack up your dorm room.
• Plan Your Packing Strategy: Think about how you’ll pack these items. Will your delicate items need bubble wrap? Should you roll your clothes or fold them? This is where your problem-solving skills come into play!

Reserve a Moving Date & Time

Timing is everything. You don’t want to be that student frantically packing when your dorm’s hallway is full of mid-year-graduates thriving in their own college move out.

• Early Bird Gets the Peace: Check your college’s move-out policy and deadlines. Then, plan to start the actual moving process a few weeks before the final rush. If you’re an early planner, pat yourself on the back!
• Coordinate with Friends or Roommates: If you have friends or roommates with cars or who are renting a moving van, see if you can share resources. Think of it as carpooling, but with more boxes and less legroom.
• Reserve Necessary Services: If you need to book a rental truck of your own or hire a moving service, do it early. These services can get booked up quickly during college move out season — which peaks in the summer but also escalates in the winter. You wouldn’t wait until the last minute to buy concert tickets for your favorite band, right?

Gather Packing Supplies

Boxes & Containers

Wondering how to pack up your dorm room? Start by gathering a variety of boxes and containers.

• Cardboard Boxes: Ideal for heavier items like books and kitchenware
• Plastic Bins: Great for weather-proofing items susceptible to damage from moisture.
• Suitcases: Perfect for clothing and linens.
• Laundry Baskets: Best for carrying lighter, bulky items like pillows or jackets.

Wrapping & Padding Materials

Let’s face it, being a college student often means mastering the art of budgeting (or, in simpler terms, learning to be creatively broke). While bubble wrap is the gold standard for protecting your fragile items, it’s not always wallet friendly.

But who needs bubble wrap when you have a closet full of clothes, towels, and bedding? Use your t-shirts to cushion your coffee mugs, wrap your plates in towels and let your socks cradle your precious knick-knacks.

It’s a practical and cost-effective approach, especially when you’re figuring out how to move out of your dorm without extra expenses.

Labeling Tools

The best tool in dorm moving tips toolkit? Labeling. Use permanent markers to clearly label each box with its contents and the destination room. This step not only helps organize but also ensures a smoother unpacking process.

And for those who enjoy a bit of extra organization, a little color-coding can go a long way. A strip of colored tape or a colored sticker can quickly indicate which room the box belongs to — blue for bedroom, red for kitchen and so on.

This small touch can make the moving process smoother, especially when you’re directing friends (or bribed helpers) where to place your boxes.

Sort & Declutter

The secret to a stress-free college move out? It’s not just about packing; it’s also about letting go. Sorting and decluttering can significantly lighten your load and simplify your packing process.

Separate Essentials from Non-Essentials

Start by thinking about your essentials: those items you’ll need for the last few days in the dorm and the first few in your new space. These are the non-negotiables in your dorm move-out checklist.

This typically includes your go-to daily wear, those essential toiletries, a handful of utensils for those last-minute ramen sessions and your tech gadgets and chargers.

Then, there are the non-essentials. These are items that have been loyally collecting dust in your room. And let’s not forget about those textbooks and notes. If you’re not planning a nostalgic read of your “Introduction to Philosophy” notes, consider selling, donating, or recycling them. It’s a great way to lighten your load and possibly make a few bucks.

Donate or Dispose

It’s time for the great dorm purge, where you decide the fate of everything from last year’s fashion statements to the tech relics hidden in your drawers.

• Clothes: We all have that one outfit we bought for a “special occasion” that never saw the light of day. If you haven’t worn it in the last year, chances are it’s just taking up valuable real estate in your closet. Clothes in good condition can find a new home through donation or online selling.
• Electronics: That old phone or laptop that’s been sitting in your drawer since your last upgrade shouldn’t just be tossed in the trash. Most universities have e-waste recycling programs, an integral aspect of how to move out of your dorm responsibly.

Pack Your Belongings

Now you’re at a pivotal stage in the dorm move-out checklist: packing your belongings. With your items sorted and decluttered, this should be a more manageable feat.

Start with the Basics

• Clothes: A classic dorm moving tip is to roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space. Heavier items like jackets can be laid flat at the bottom of boxes or suitcases.
• Books & Heavy Items: Use smaller boxes for heavy items like books to make them easier to carry.
• Electronics: Pack these in their original boxes if you have them. If not, wrap them in soft clothing or bubble wrap.

Use Proper Packing Techniques

• Maximize Space: Use pots to store small kitchen items or spices. Stuff shoes with socks or small items to keep their shape and save space.
• Avoid Leaks: For any liquid items, tape the lids shut and pack them in waterproof bags.

Clean Your Dorm Room

As you approach the final stages of moving out of your dorm, it’s crucial to address the cleaning aspect. It’s not just about being nice to the next occupant: It’s also about dodging those sneaky cleaning fees your university may love to dish out.

Clean as You Go

No one’s expecting your dorm to be a beacon of cleanliness during finals week. However, a little bit of daily tidying goes a long way. Start incorporating small tasks into your routine, like sweeping up those crumbs from your midnight snack sessions or wiping down coffee-spilled surfaces.

And for those of you with an ensuite bathroom or kitchenette, scrubbing showers, sinks and that microwave that’s witnessed all your culinary experiments is crucial.

Check for Damages

Before you start packing, play detective and snap pictures of your room’s condition. These photos are your alibi in case of any disputes about damage.

If there are damages that are unmistakably your doing, report them to your dorm supervisor. Some universities might let you channel your inner DIY guru and fix minor damages yourself.

Either way, it’s better to come clean than be hit by surprise charges during the college move out process.

Return University Property

In the chaos of moving out of your dorm, it’s easy to accidentally pack a memento that doesn’t belong to you. Make sure to set aside anything that’s university property.

Check University Items

• Furniture and Appliances: Ensure all the furniture and appliances that came with the room stay behind.
• Library Books & Equipment: Make sure those library books you borrowed for research find their way back home. The same goes for any equipment you might have borrowed.
• Keys & Access Cards: Those keys and access cards are your passport to the dorm life, and now it’s time to turn them in. There might be a fine for unreturned keys, so get them to their “real” home ASAP.

Settle Any Outstanding Bills

• Check for Outstanding Fees: Ensure all your dues are clear. This includes tuition, library fines and other university-related expenses.
• Clearance Form: Some universities have a formal way of saying, “Okay, you’re good to go!” in the form of a clearance form. Fill it out to avoid any future surprises.
• Update Your Contact Information: Make sure your university has your latest contact details, important for receiving alumni info.

Final Check and Farewell

Before you drive away from your dorm, take a moment for one last check. Ensure you’ve followed your dorm move out checklist diligently. Double-check that you haven’t left anything behind, bid farewell to your dorm room and embark on your next adventure with confidence.

Find Your Perfect College Storage Solution with CubeSmart

As you close the chapter on another semester and prepare for what’s next, remember that moving out doesn’t have to mean parting ways with your treasured possessions or cramming everything into the back of a family car.

CubeSmart offers an array of student-friendly self-storage options, tailor-made for the ebb and flow of college life. Our flexible month-to-month leases are ideal for students who need a temporary home for their belongings over the summer or while studying abroad.