Most people move on their own for the first time after they finish high school. And if that move is to another state, it makes the whole experience that much more complicated. There’s a lot that needs to be done. And there are a lot of options to choose from when you want to move to college out of state. From moving on your own to hiring movers to help you. And it’s up to you to choose the option that suits you the best.
Planning a move to college out of state
It doesn’t matter if you are moving to a college dorm or if you will be living off-campus. As soon as you get your accommodations in the order you need to start planning your move. There’s a lot that needs to be done. From finding long-distance moving companies. To deciding on which items you should bring with you. Here are some of the basics:
- Decide how you are going to move
- Pick the items you will be bringing with you
- Communicate with your roommates about who will bring what
- Pick a moving date and time
- Start packing your belongings
Depending on whether you are living by yourself, or with others. Or whether you are moving to a dorm or in off-campus housing. You will want to adjust your moving plan. So, make sure you have all the facts before you start.
It’s important to thoroughly plan your relocation
What are the best ways to move to college out of state?
There are many options when it comes to your move to college out of state. They both have their pros and cons. But, what’s important is to try to save as much as you can. It’s understandable that you want to save money on your long-distance move. But, you also want to have a smooth transition. Without having to do everything all by yourself. You are at the beginning of the rest of your life. And you want to start college on the right foot.
Move by yourself to an out of state college
If you’ve ever seen a teen movie or a tv show you probably noticed that at the end they pack everything in their car and drive off. And while that is romantic and poetic, it doesn’t necessarily reflect real life. But, it could. You need to assess whether your belongings will be able to fit into your car. It’s also a very long drive. If you are moving from Florida to California you are looking at a 40-hour drive. And that’s not something that everyone is comfortable with. Not to mention the fuel and hotel costs along the way. All of that aside, moving on your own is a pretty poetic way to start your new college life.
Ask family to help you move to college
If you are not comfortable driving all the way to college by yourself, another option is to ask your family for help. A family member can come with you. Both to keep you company during your trip. As well as to help you unload and carry all the boxes. And seeing as how you won’t get a chance to see them until the holidays, this might be a great opportunity to spend some quality time together. One thing that you need to keep in mind is that they need to return afterward. So you need to plan for that in advance.
If you don’t feel up to moving alone you can always rely on your family to help you
Move to college out of state with a friend
Moving to college with a friend is great. Especially if you are both going to the same college. It can be a fun experience. And you’ll be able to keep each other company during the long trip. You can even go old school and create a road-trip mixtape. One problem with this method is the available space in the car. If you are both going to college, you most likely won’t be able to fit all your belongings in it. You can rent a tow-behind trailer. Which will most likely be able to accommodate all your belongings if you are moving into a dorm.
Ship your belongings ahead of you
If you can’t fit all your belongings into a car, and yet want to have that experience, there is a solution. You can ship your belongings ahead of you. And then you can truly have that movie college-going experience. It can be quite expensive to ship heavy items across the country. But, this is still an option worth exploring.
One downside of this is that you will still have that 40-hour drive ahead of you. All you’ll be absolutely exhausted once you arrive. Whether that’s something that is worth it is up to you.
Shipping your belongings is a great option if you want to have a care-free drive to college
Hire professionals movers to assist you
Moving to college is an important experience. And the first days there are when you are most active. You’ll be meeting new people, exploring the campus, and seeing first-hand what being at college is like. So, you might want to spend a little extra money on professional movers. There are a lot of great options on Verified Movers. The biggest benefit of hiring movers is the freedom that you get. You can either drive by yourself or take a plane to your destination. You won’t have to worry about hauling boxes up the stairs. Or the logistics of driving with a truck full of items. And if you are moving to off-campus housing, and need to bring your bed, this might be the best option.
Other things to keep in mind before you move to college out of state
Moving to a college out of state is the beginning of the rest of your life. You’ll meet new people, get top-grade education, and probably have the best few years of your life so far. But, every beginning is hard. And there’s a lot to do before you can start enjoying yourself. But, with good planning, nothing is too hard.
Make sure you start preparing early. Call your roommates and together decide who will bring what. Who will bring the TV, decorations, and furniture? If your dorm has a move-in day, make sure you arrive early. As you don’t want to be stuck waiting in line for hours. And try and get a good parking spot. As caring multiple boxes up the stairs can quickly exhaust you. Especially after a long trip. But, after you are done, all that will be left for you to do is enjoy college. And everything that college life has to offer.