July 30, 2024
With move-in around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning for your move to campus. Whether you’re picking your favorite pieces of clothing or trying to decide how you want to organize all your belongings, we’re here to help guide you through the process of moving in.
Be realistic with the clothes you pack
We’re all guilty of overpacking clothes. While packing for school, challenge yourself to be real with what pieces you wear on a regular basis. While you do want to pack options for hanging out with friends, classes and academic events, think hard about what you usually choose to wear. For example, if you haven’t touched an item in your closet for over a year and didn’t find yourself missing it or thinking about it, it could be worth considering leaving at home.
Save heavy winter gear for later
Remember that winters are cold in Nebraska and you’ll need several layers and a heavy coat. If possible, try to set aside your heavy winter clothing like coats and thick sweaters and pick them up later in the semester. You’ll thank yourself for the extra closet room. If you can’t return home to pick up winter clothes, roll your clothes to save space or try vacuum sealing your bulky clothes in a bag.
Leave objects of value at home
If you have any items that are extremely important or sentimental to you, consider leaving them at home. Living on campus offers less privacy than your parents’ house and, while uncommon, there’s always a possibility of damaging or losing your property.
Use packing hacks
There are several hacks you can use to maximize space while safely moving your items. Try using these tips out while you put things away for transportation:
- Use clothes to wrap your breakable items like dishware or delicate glass decorations
- Poke a hole in the top of a trash bag and pull it over a group of your hanging clothes
- Box similar items together and label them to make unpacking easier
- Pack heavier items in the car first. Stack lighter items on top and fill in the spaces with clothes
Double-check dorm guidelines
Help keep your fellow dormmates safe and avoid fines by double-checking the dorm guidelines before moving in. You’ll find more information on what items are permitted when it comes to kitchen appliances, space heaters, decorations and more.
Check your move-in information
Be sure to check out the move-in website for information ranging from move-in dates to packing lists. If you’re living on campus, you can find your move-in appointment in the housing portal. The university utilizes curbside move-in and professional movers will move your belongings (minus fragile and breakable items). Arrive at the Bob Devaney Center no earlier than 30 minutes before your appointment and follow these tips for a smooth curbside experience:
- Label your boxes with your name, hall, room number and cell phone number
- Load your car strategically so boxes for the movers aren’t trapped behind items you’ll move yourself
- Be prepared to move your bicycle and electronics, including TVs, computers, monitors and anything breakable into your room.
Communicate with your roommates
Check in with your roommates to figure out what items you might want to share. Whether it’s small things like sharing a container of laundry pods or decorative items like rugs or art, good communication will help you reduce doubling up on items that add clutter and take up space.