Congratulations! You did it. You’ve finished high school, got into college, and are preparing to move into a new place away from your parents. (At least until you run out of clean laundry or need to steal some snacks from their pantry). We realize you have a lot on your plate, including finding a suitable place to call home, packing, unpacking, and preparing for classes. Moving can be exciting and stressful, especially if you are a procrastinator. To help keep you focused, we have prepared a checklist of to-do tasks.
Moving Checklist for College Students
Typically, we recommend that you start preparing for a move at least two months before the event occurs. Still, we understand you were too busy sucking every ounce of fun out of the summer to plan that far ahead. This checklist has been compiled with the hope that you have given yourself at least a month to prepare (or, at the very least, a week).
Find the Perfect Rental Home or Apartment
Any moving checklist is going to include something about finding a place to move into. If you are still looking for a new place, consider a few things during the decision-making process:
- Make sure you can afford it! By you, we mean you and any roommates. Everyone must be able to cover their portion of the rent and monthly bills.
- Nothing makes the “roommate” situation more toxic than a roommate who can’t pay their portion of things and continuously burdens you and anyone else living there.
- If you are not living in the dorms, try to live as close to campus as possible, even if you have transportation.
- Prepare for unforeseen car trouble. Finding someone to pick you up if your car breaks down, especially if you don’t live in a remote area, is much easier.
- If you must walk, the closer the better.
- While affordability is usually the first thing you consider when finding a new apartment, you must also consider safety. Your moving checklist should remind you to consider the safety of the area you are moving to.
- Make sure the doors have working locks (deadbolts are better than door chain locks and most of the traditional door knob locks).
- Ask if there is security that patrols the grounds.
- Request crime stats, ask neighbors, or research on Google to find out how safe your area is. You want to feel safe when you walk to your front door at night, not living in fear that your car will be broken into.
Side Note:
When you sign a lease, you will need to provide proof of your identity and be at least 18 years of age. Ensure you have a government-issued ID and your banking information.
Find an Electric Company
Choose your utility provider(s). Once you have secured your new place, proceed to the next task on your moving checklist and determine which electric company will provide you with service.
- You will want to ensure you have the electricity and water turned on when you move in. You don’t want to be baking in the Texas heat with nowhere to cool off.
- When you are selecting the best electric company, make sure you look at the “BIG PICTURE.” All too often, with electric companies, what you see is not what you get.
- We hope you have already established good credit, as your electric company may conduct a credit check and use your credit history to help determine your deposit amount.
- You heard correctly: Traditional electric companies in Texas usually require a deposit to get your power turned on.
- Ensure you understand what the energy company expects in terms of commitment.
- Does the electric company require a long-term commitment from you?
- Is there an early cancellation fee if you cancel the service? Remember if you go home during the summer, you probably won’t need to keep electric service.
- Expenses and fees, such as an electric service deposit, early cancellation fee, late fees, and others, can add up. Consider these expenses when choosing an electric company.
Insider Tip:
Electric companies, such as Pogo Energy, offer a perfect solution for those who prefer not to sign a long-term commitment, avoid spending money on an electricity deposit or paying fees, or want to avoid having their credit dinged if they are late on a payment. Learn more about the month-to-month electricity plan from Pogo Energy and how we can save you money.
Pack Early to Reduce Headaches and Frustration Later
Your moving checklist item #3 is packing. Packing can be time-consuming, but it is a necessary process. Spend a little extra time to do it right so you don’t end up aimlessly searching through boxes looking for your socks.
- Choose size-appropriate boxes. Consider your capabilities and strengths. It would be best not to fill an extra-large box with heavy items, as you won’t be able to move it when it is full.
- Use smaller, more manageable boxes.
- Avoid packing items from different rooms into the same box.
- Pack similar items together.
- Heavier items go on the bottom, lighter on the top.
- Make a note of what you have so you will know what you still need.
- Pack tools you will probably need, such as a hammer, drill, screwdriver, wrench, screws, drywall anchors, nails, a level, batteries and tape.
- Don’t forget the bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, pillows, and blankets, and ensure that you can locate them easily. You will need them on your very first night in your new place, give yourself a break, and have the box clearly labeled.
- You want to be prepared to deal with the paper cuts that the college experience often includes, so be sure you have antibiotic cream and bandages. A first Aid kit with the basics in it costs about $10, and we are sure you will get use out of it.
- Don’t forget the essential items you’ll need for class.
- Laptop (and charger), maybe a voice recorder, extra batteries, notebooks, pens, paper, folders, highlighters.
Plan Your Moving Day
Finally, plan for your moving day and then manage it efficiently.
Not only should you plan the day of your move to ensure the electricity is on, but you will also want help from any friend or family member you can get it from. The more people you can recruit to help you, the faster and easier the move will be. As you work to check off the Planning and Execution part of moving off the checklist, keep some things in mind.
- The earlier in the day, the better.
- Get the moving done first and socialize later.
- Ensure that cold drinks are available to keep everyone hydrated.
- Utilize the help for moving and positioning large items; don’t worry about unpacking until everyone has left.
- Note what you don’t have and will need sooner rather than later.
- Something like toilet paper is considered a necessity.
- Plan two shopping trips. You want to avoid running to the store to pick up one or two items at a time. Planning two trips will allow you to obtain the necessary items now, and a second trip can be made to acquire what you need later, allowing you to prioritize your purchases.
Woohoo! You Did It!
Congratulations! This is the first step in becoming a real grown-up. You have moved, will be starting college, and are on the way to being a highly functional adult. If you still need an electric company to provide service to your new place, let us know; we would love to help you out! For those who are already grown-ups (millennials and Generation X, we’re talking about you), take a look at why Pogo might be the electric company you’ve been searching for.