Congratulations! You did it. You finished high school, got into college, and are preparing to move into a new place away from your mom and dad. (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 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 called.
Moving Checklist For College Students
Typically, we recommend you start preparing for a move at least 2 months before the event happens. 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 (well, at least a week).
Find the perfect home rental or apartment
Any moving checklist is going to include something about finding a place to move into. If you are still looking for your new place, consider a few things during the decision-making process:
- Make sure you can afford it! And by you, we mean you, and any roommate or roommates. Everyone must be able to cover their portion of the rent and monthly bills.
- Nothing makes the “roommate” situation toxic like 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 if you don’t live out of the way 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, but you must also consider safety. Your moving checklist needs to remind you to consider how safe the area that you are moving to is.
- 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 and not live in fear that your car will be broken into .
*Side note: When you sign a lease, you will need to show proof of who you are and be at least 18 years of age. Make sure you have a government issued ID and banking information.
Find an electric company
Choose your utility provider(s). When you have secured your new place, move on to the next task on your moving checklist and decide 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 differs from what you get.
- We hope you have good credit established already because your electric company may be running a credit check and then using your credit to help them determine your deposit.
- You heard correctly, traditional electric companies in Texas usually require a deposit to get your power turned on.
- Make sure you understand what the energy company is expecting as far as a commitment is concerned.
- Does the electric company require you to make a long term commitment?
- 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 cancelation fee, late fees, and whatever else, can add up. Consider these expenses when choosing an electric company.
Insider Tip: Electric companies, such as Pogo Energy, are the perfect solution for those who do not want to sign a long-term commitment, don’t want to spend money on an electricity deposit pay fees or have their credit dinged if they are late on a payment. Learn more about month-to-month electricity plan from Pogo Energy and how we can save you money.
Pack now to reduce headaches and frustration later
Your moving checklist item #3 is packing. Packing can be time-consuming, but it is necessary. 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 strength. It would be best if you didn’t fill an extra large box with heavy items or 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 make sure that you can find them. You will need them your very first night in your new place, give yourself a break and have the box clearly labeled.
- You want to make sure that you are prepared to deal with the paper cuts that the college experience often includes, so be sure you have antibiotic cream and bandaids. You can pick up a First Aid kit with the basics in it for about $10, and you will get use out of it, we are sure.
- Don’t forget the important things you are going to need for class.
- Laptop (and charger), maybe a voice recorder, extra batteries, notebooks, pens, paper, folders, hi-lighters.
Plan your moving day and move
Finally, plan for your moving day and then manage your moving day efficiently.
Not only should you plan the day that you are moving so you can make sure that the electricity is on, but you will want some 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 somethings in mind.
- The earlier in the day, the better.
- Get the moving done first and socialize later.
- Make sure that you have cold drinks available to ensure everyone stays hydrated.
- Utilize the help for moving and situating big items; don’t worry about unpacking until everyone leaves.
- 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 1 or 2 items at a time. Planning two trips will allow you to get the things you need now and a second trip to get what you need, but you can prioritize getting a little later.
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!