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Start college with the right move: get organized for a successful school year

Monday, August 13, 2007

(Lansing, Mich.) For most college students, a new school year means a new home. Be it an apartment, a house, or a dormitory, taking a few painless steps makes the transition to your home-away-from-home a smoother one.

If left unprepared, moving to college can leave parents and students physically and emotionally drained. Experts know it's easy to get frustrated when faced with packing and condensing everything you own. That's why TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® offers these tips:

* Get started early. Don't wait until the last minute to collect boxes and moving supplies. Start by packing items that you won't need immediately, such as seasonal clothing. Make sure to clearly label all boxes so you can find your things when you need them.
* Try to condense. Do you really need that magazine from October of last year? Go through your belongings before packing. Reduce the volume of your move and start the school year off clutter-free.
* Use the right supplies. Shop around for competitive prices on your supplies. Some places will even deliver. Try the Internet. Don't make the mistake of using old shopping bags, laundry baskets, topless boxes, or pillowcases to transport your belongings. Items can get tossed around in the move and if loose items fall out, people can get hurt. Beware of using grocery store boxes. These used boxes often store food that can carry bugs or larvae that can spread on your things.
* Pack similar items together. Try to keep items from the same room in the same boxes. The more organized you can be walking in, the better. Label your boxes so you can easily determine what is inside. This will help you prioritize your unpacking without making a huge mess.
* Don't over pack boxes. Remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the box.
* Try to use original packaging for large electronics. The original packaging for electronics such as your new computer, TV, mini-fridge and microwave is the safest way to transport these items. If you don't have the original packaging, wrap electronics in anti-static bubble wrap. Call a local moving company for advice or assistance.
* Recycle. Buying reusable supplies like high-quality containers is good for you pocketbook and the environment. Most corrugated cardboard boxes can easily fold up and be stashed away – or used for storage for the entire school year. Plastic storage bins with lids might also be a good option. The containers you buy this year can be reused and recycled throughout a college career and beyond.

"A little planning can save family relations, your pocket book as well as the environment," said Roger Cargill, Operations Manager for the Office of Recycling and Waste Management for Michigan State University, "Taking time at home to decide what you really need at school and get organized leads to a successful beginning at college."

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