Tallahassee, FL (WTXL) -- Summer is almost over for recent high school graduates and many will soon be heading off to college. That means it's time to start packing. But it can be confusing knowing what you'll need in your dorm, and what's best to leave at home with mom and dad.
In this edition of "Home & Garden," WTXL ABC 27's Malcolm Hornsby speaks with local moving experts on how to properly pack for college.
College packing/moving tips:
- Pack light, Pack Right - The dorms aren't very big and there isn't a lot of room for clutter. Try to only pack the essentials and maybe a few decorative items such as pictures of family and high school friends to make it feel more like home.
- Recycle your packing materials - It may be easy to pack clothes in a suitcase, however there isn't a lot of storage space in a dorm room so try to pack clothes in garbage bags or something that can be easily thrown away or stored for when it's time to move out again.
- Items of a Feather, Pack Together - If you pack similar belongings together, it makes unpacking on arrival so much easier.
- Bring Your Tools - Bring a tool kit for move-in day and have it handy in case you want to loft/de-loft your bed, put together a table you brought, or something of the sort.
- Survival of the Fittest - Dorm room life is fun -- but can also mean potential for colds, the flu, migraines, or even a really bad paper cut. Spills are bound to happen too. So, pack a survival kit with the following
- First aid: bandages, antibiotic, & hyrdrocortisone ointments, pain killers, digital thermometer, decongestant, and antacids.
- Laundry: detergent, stain remover, and fabric softener
- Cleaning: antibacterial wipes, glass cleaning wipes, microfiber dust cloth, roll of paper towels, broom, and dustpan.
