Unpacking your College Life

For many of us, the end of this academic year has been abrupt and quite frankly, upsetting. We thought we had more time in college with our friends but it was not to be. With a global pandemic upon us, we need to take action. If staying at home for a prolonged amount of time is how we are going to save lives, it must be done.

If like me, you have moved away from home for college, I would imagine you have a lot of packing to do. If you are still waiting to complete the dreaded task, here is a few tips and tricks for moving your things back home.

· To Begin: You are going to need a few suitcases, storage boxes and A LOT of bin bags.

· First Night: Remember to pack a bag of essentials that you will need for your first night at home. Pop in a pair of pyjamas, your toothbrush and facewash to avoid having to rummage through boxes later on that evening.

· Clothes: The easiest way to pack your clothes for moving back home by removing hangers and rolling compactly into an empty suitcase or storage box. Place all hangers in a separate bag so that can be accessed easily when you arrive home. Try to pack similar clothing items in the same place i.e. Skirts and dresses together. Make sure all clothes are clean and put dirty laundry in a separate bag. This might be the perfect opportunity to throw out clothes you know you don’t wear and are only taking up space in your wardrobe. Pop a few bits in a separate box for a possible charity donation or sell them on Depop.

· College Work: Place all books, notes copies and folders in their own box. File sheets that have been sitting aimlessly on the floor for months. Throw sheets and scraps of paper in the recycling as you go. Pack up all your stationary and leave it together. Make sure all library books have been returned to save yourself a massive fine next year.

· Documents: Sift through all important documents before packing and establish a filing system. Be it electricity bills, deposit receipts, Erasmus letters or references, they will undoubtedly be difficult to find when you need them. Buy a binder and start filing them away as you go.

· Duvets, Sheets and Blankets: When it comes bedding and pillows, bin liners are your go to. Spend time rolling them up as compactly as you can, place in bag and tie well to prevent dampness during future storage.

· Toiletries: Pack your makeup, shampoo, facewashes and dental care very carefully to prevent spillages. Throw out nearly empty tubes of toothpaste and bottles of shampoo, unless they can be packed securely.

· Kitchen: Wrap all of your cups, plates and bowls safe and securely in a box with filling or towels to prevent breakages on the journey home. Make sure all perishable food has been disposed of and pack up your last few bags of pasta and tinned beans. Empty the bins and make a trip to the bottle bank if needs be.

· Clean: Be it student accommodation or a private property, leave your home for the last seven months as you found it. Leaving accommodation dirty and unkempt is not only disrespectful and lazy, but it could cost you your deposit. Get hoovering, dusting and washing. You never know, bleach could be your new best friend.

HAPPY PACKING!