The 80’s film, “Back to School,” starring Rodney Dangerfield immediately comes to mind when I think of students going back to college. Of course most students don’t enjoy the lavish life style of Thornton Melon and his somewhat reserved son, Jason. However, they do all go through the transition of making their dorm or off-campus apartment a home. In the film, Melon visits his son, and then decides to return to school. He brings in construction workers and they gut out a couple of dorm rooms to craft the perfect college home away from home for his son and Robert Downey, Jr.’s character, Derek Lutz. Parents don’t usually go to these great lengths for their kids, but they do want their kids to be comfortable.
Being comfortable in school does include maximizing your space. Before you begin to assemble all of your back to school items you should determine the layout and measurements of your room or apartment. Over doing it could make you and your roommate(s) rather miserable. Now of course there are the usual must have’s like a fridge, television, computer etc. But there are a number of other items that may be nice to have, but might have to be cut due to space.
The next task should be to pack your items. No one loves to pack, but because we don’t have “I dream of genie” powers, packing is a must. I recommend you secure your packing materials from a reputable moving company. While canvassing the neighborhood grocer for discarded boxes could save you money, it may cost you in the end. Keep in mind these boxes are carrying your valuables, and if you handle them correctly they could last you awhile. Some individuals choose to ship some of their things ahead of time, while others attempt to handle their own move to College. Whatever the case, making certain your valuables are secured is crucial to their safe arrival.
The once “everyone get in the van and drop your kid off at school” dynamic has changed over the years. Nowadays campuses are somewhat crowded out and kids are forced to live off campus sooner than later. Incoming freshmen are normally given first dibs of the on campus residency. Thus requiring second semester-freshmen and up to sometimes relocate to off-campus housing or apartments. This shift brings on the need for more help when moving in and out of college and often storage space during breaks. Several moving companies have begun to see an influx of business as a result.
If you’re one of the many students or parents preparing for the fall semester I recommend you weigh all of your options. If this is a first time move to college, you may be able to handle the move on your own. However, if this is a return to college or an off-campus move to an apartment, you may want to hire movers to expedite your college relocation. I guess if you hire movers, you and Thornton Melon would have something in common. But no one’s keeping track…have a great semester!!!
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