(This content started out as a 90 minute in-person presentation, and what you are reading today was the handout, so many of the tips are in list form.)

First, let me remind you: At this time, your priorities might not be the same as your student’s priorities. We can’t control how others feel.  If your student, like mine, has no plans for decorating his or her space beyond the necessities, so be it.

Sending a student off to college? Or is an adult child moving to their first apartment? Enjoy this Grand New Adventure! And, get it organized!

Planning ahead makes these days flow smoothly. I said these quotes to my son and his friend just last week:

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” (Ben Franklin) and
“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”  (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
 
So, let’s do this!

• Get the list of recommended items from your school.
• Virtual tours, and on-line schematics are also available for some schools.
• Check Target, BB&B and elsewhere for lists, but DON’T buy everything on the lists!
• Your student can ask for gift cards for graduation.  Check into stores close to campus, too.
• At Orientation, we can determine what’s provided and have a chance to measure rooms and spaces. Refrigerators?  Microwaves?  Box fans? 
• Collaborate with roommates, or start the search among friends or on Facebook.  Your students don’t need more than one coffee maker or popcorn maker, cleaning supplies, mirrors, etc., either. 
• Start early to spread new expenses over a few months, and to give you all time to think and plan clearly.

You and your student can tackle organizing dorm rooms and small spaces the same way we organize for any project. We can use the 5 Step Organizing Process via Julie Morgenstern in her book Organizing From The Inside Out. Those 5 steps are Sort, Purge, Assign a Home, Containerize and Equalize.
 
The Sort and Purge steps go along with packing as your student gets ready to move.

• Pack like with like; but also get things ready to use.
  • For example, as your student packs their bedding and towels, keep one set of bedding and towels right on top to use immediately when they get to their new space.
  • This makes making the bed so much easier.
  • And they can leave the rest of their bedding and towels packed until after they have set up their space.
• Shop at home first for their stuff, to save $$ and make them more comfortable.
  • For example, my son and I were just discussing bed pillows this afternoon, and how he should pack his favorites from home to ensure a good nights sleep.
  • In addition, he is taking his bedspread from home because he really likes it.
  • I can replace the spread and his home pillows with items we already own.
• It’s difficult to purge at this point, since our students are acquiring things at this stage. But they can choose to leave some things behind.

 Assign a Home / Containerize:  SHOPPING:

• When considering storage for any spaces, dorms or home – utilize vertical space as much as possible.
  • Consider a bed-side bag for bedside items (especially if the bed is lofted).
    • Space bags / Ziploc totes and bags;
    • Consider over-the-the door towel hanger / coat rack / shoe holder / pockets:  for shoes, but also snacks and such. 
    • Double-hang the closet rods.
    • Use narrow metal / felted hangers.
• You’re going to need at least a few surge protectors, and make sure they have long cords.
• 3M Command hooks, cord keepers, photo hanging strips.
• Plan for under-bed storage.
• Consider tension rods for fabric covers / partitions (shower curtains and rings are awesome, too).
• The 80/20 says we use 20% of our stuff 80% of the time.  So keep the 20% handy, and the 80% less handy.  
• Consider multipurpose storage / furniture:
  • Collapsible / convertible / nesting / re-purpose-able storage; stackable, and with lids.
  • Trunks, as storage and extra seating (but don’t pack it full of heavy stuff).
  • Invest in good and matching items.  Higher quality is worth the added expense, and matching (clear, from same manufacturer) items will have the added bonus, typically, of nesting.
  • Packable bins.  Store stuff in them when you move back home for the summer.   Get them the same size so that they stack neatly when not in use
• No matter what: When Shopping for storage items for dorms or new small spaces: Buy extra of good solutions, but be prepared with the receipt to return them if they’re not needed. 
  • There may be lots of things that come home after moving day, like boxes and suitcases.
• Packing / Actual Move:
  • Assume that your move in / settle in time with your student will be limited.
  • Bring your own rubber mallet.
  • Right on top, have the Last In / First Out Box
    • soaps, clorox wipes, paper towels, cleaning supplies, snacks
    • tool box, Command hooks, and first aid kit, too
    • But mostly, bring your own rubber mallet for lofting the bed.
    • Bring your own hand cart, too. There are often carts and things to use, but they will be in high demand. So bring your own, as well.
• Map out dorm room and where each box / its contents are to be unloaded.  Everyone should know the plan.
• Set up the dressers away the same at home (like use a really big Ziploc bag to pack at home, and then empty out in the drawer at school)
• As a parent – let me tell you now. Your student might not want help setting up their space beyond the physical labor of getting their stuff to their dorm room and lofting the bed or arranging the furniture. That is a conversation for your student and their roommate, or for them to decide on their own. Maybe they want you there, and maybe it is time to leave.

EQUALIZING (Maintenance):

• Pack for current season, your student will likely be home before really cold weather. (But pack pants)
• Make sure they have skills for independent living.
  • How to do laundry (and how often), how to sew a button, iron a shirt
  • First Aid and Illness kit; explain what things do – Tylenol, cold medicine, stomach distress, etc.
  • Grocery shopping, nutrition and a little cooking
  • General cleaning, how to and how often.

What to do with the bedroom that’s left behind:

• Mourn just a little.  Then do a deep and thorough cleaning of the area.  Clothes, bedding, walls, carpets, garbage.
• Spend just a little time on organizing during home visits, asking specific questions about specific items.
• Do not take over your student’s space.  They will come home again, and will need their space again. 

I hope this process goes smoothly for you and your loved one!