Moving for college can mean packing up a dorm room, moving into your first apartment, switching housing between semesters, or bringing your belongings home for the summer. With classes, work, and everything else on a student’s schedule, having a plan can make the process easier.
If you’re a college student moving in or around Columbus, Ohio, here are some practical tips to help you prepare for your move.
1. Start Packing Before Moving Day
Waiting until the last minute can make moving more stressful. Give yourself time to sort through your belongings, decide what you actually need, and pack everything securely.
Start with items you do not use every day, such as:
- Seasonal clothing
- Decorations
- Books and school supplies you won’t need immediately
- Extra bedding
- Kitchen items
- Personal keepsakes
As you pack, label your boxes with their contents and the room or area where they belong. This can make unpacking easier once you arrive.
2. Take Inventory of Your Belongings
College students often accumulate more belongings than they realize over the course of a semester or school year.
Before packing, make a quick inventory of what you’re taking with you. This can help you determine how many boxes you’ll need and whether there are items you no longer want to move.
If you’re moving between a dorm and an apartment, your packing needs may also change depending on the amount of furniture and household items you have.
3. Pack Your Dorm or Apartment Strategically
A typical dorm room may contain clothing, bedding, books, electronics, school supplies, and personal items. An apartment may require additional packing for kitchenware, furniture, and other household belongings.
Use appropriately sized boxes and avoid making boxes too heavy. Keep fragile belongings cushioned with packing paper or other appropriate packing materials.
If you’re not sure where to start, All American Moving & Storage also provides packing tips and guidance for preparing different types of household belongings.
4. Moving Between Dorms or Apartments?
College housing can change from one year to the next. You may move from a dorm to an apartment, change apartments, or relocate to a different residence during your college years.
When moving between locations, keep your belongings organized and make sure you know the move-in or move-out requirements for both locations. If your housing has specific requirements for moving times, elevators, parking, or loading areas, check those details before moving day.
5. Consider Storage Between Semesters
One of the biggest challenges for college students can be figuring out where to keep their belongings during summer break or between housing arrangements.
All American Moving & Storage offers a college moving and storage option that includes pickup, storage, and delivery.
The service includes storage in a 7′ x 5′ x 7′ storage vault for up to four months:
- 1 storage vault: $990
- 2 storage vaults: $1,480
- Additional vaults: $490 each
A typical single dorm or bedroom can fit into one vault, although your actual storage needs will depend on the amount and size of your belongings. Our relocation coordinators can help determine how much space you may need.
Pricing applies to customers with all belongings packed and ready to go. Small items must be packed in boxes no smaller than 16″ x 12″ x 12″.
6. Don’t Forget About Packing Services
If you don’t have the time or supplies to pack everything yourself, professional packing services can be another option.
All American Moving & Storage offers packing services for college moves, including:
- Small boxes
- Medium boxes
- Large boxes
- XL boxes
- Dishpacks for dishes and breakables
- Mirror, picture, and small flatscreen TV/monitor boxes
- Large flatscreen TV boxes
- Wardrobe boxes
- Mattress bags
If you’re planning to have your belongings packed, keep in mind that All American Moving reserves the right to pack and charge for items that are not properly prepared for moving.
7. Pack a First-Night Box
Don’t bury the things you’ll need immediately under everything else.
Pack a small bag or box with essentials such as:
- A change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Bedding
- Phone and laptop chargers
- Medications
- Basic school supplies
- Important documents
- Snacks and water
Keep this bag or box somewhere easily accessible so you don’t have to unpack everything just to find your essentials.
8. Moving Home for the Summer?
If you’re heading home for the summer, decide ahead of time what you’ll take with you and what you’ll need to store.
You may not need to transport every piece of furniture, box, or seasonal item back home. If you plan to store your belongings, organize and label everything before your move so you know what you’re storing and what you’re taking with you.
Planning ahead can also make your next move easier when you’re ready to return to school.
College Moving and Storage in Columbus, Ohio
Moving in or out of college doesn’t have to mean doing everything yourself. At All American Moving, Storage and Delivery of Columbus, our professionally trained drivers and packers assist with college moves, including moving into or out of dorms and apartments and relocating belongings for the summer.
Our relocation coordinators can help organize your move, while our moving team handles your belongings with care.
Whether you’re moving into a Columbus college dorm, moving into your first student apartment, moving between housing, or heading home for summer break, having a plan can make the process easier.|
Colleges and Universities We Serve
We proudly serve students at the following Central Ohio colleges and universities:
- The Ohio State University
- Otterbein University
- Ohio Dominican University
- Columbus State Community College
- Franklin University
- Denison University
- Columbus College of Art & Design
- Capital University
- Ohio Wesleyan University
Need a College Moving Quote?
Planning a college move in Columbus or Central Ohio? Text 614-398-1024 for a free college moving quote.
You can also learn more about our college moving and storage services.