[August 16, 2004] BoxBundles.Com Boxing up Students for College; An Insider's Guide to Moving into the Dorms CHESTER, Pa. --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 16, 2004 -- It's back-to-school time again and thousands of students are beginning the annual ritual of the big move to the dorm. What many parents don't realize is that this is a physically and emotionally taxing life moment. Most families do little or no preparation for the move, with minimal guidance. As a service to parents, BoxBundles, a leading expert in the moving industry, has developed an insider's guide to moving a student into college. This guide is designed to put parents ahead of the pack on moving day, while reducing stress and anxiety. Below are a set of tips and tricks to save time and heartache. -0- *T The Insider's Guide - Moving into College: Top 10 Tips 1. Get there early and mark your territory. Most schools have a help staff of students on campus there early to assist families when moving into the dorms, many schedule move in times. Plan to arrive an hour before the scheduled dormitory move-in time. Label all boxes with your child's name and room number to make sure the boxes get to the right place. 2. Tote your own tools. Tools are a hot commodity in residence halls, especially on move-in day. Waiting in long lines for community gear can add stress to the actual act of constructing a room. Tape measure, scissors, hammer, adjustable wrench and screwdrivers are a must. Also, bring your own extension cords and save yourself time building beds, book shelves or desks. 3. Anticipate your appetite. You can work up a serious appetite when packing and unpacking. Don't rely on dorm vending machines to provide the substance needed to keep on moving. Pack a cooler of snacks and drinks to save time and money, and sharing it will be great icebreakers with the new neighbors. 4. Scout out a supper spot. After a full day of moving, everyone makes a bee-line for the "locals" diner. Don't get caught up in the crowd, call ahead and reserve a table at a restaurant to save plenty of time and reduce hunger pains. 5. Divide and conquer. Lack of communication between roommates often results in duplicate room items. Space is limited in a dorm room. Make sure your child coordinates with their roommate and you'll save space in your car and time spent running to the store for absentee items. 6. Fill your child's mailbox. The first month of school can be lonely for a new college student. It can be more so if their mailbox is consistently empty. Before your son or daughter moves into school, send relief. A letter or package to their new college address to help reduce anxiety during their first week of school. 7. Say goodbye early. The transition to college is a difficult one. Don't increase anxiety with a tearful goodbye; say your goodbyes before getting caught up in the move-in scene. You'll save your child from an embarrassing moment in front of a new roommate, and you'll have a quality goodbye with plenty of time. 8. Do a technology dry run. Technology these days is more complicated than ever before. Don't get tangled up in the wires. Disassemble and assemble all technology (stereo, computer, etc) before the move-in day to save yourself time and frustration. Bring plastic Zip ties, power strips and electric cords. Know the dorm requirements for power consumption. 9. Assemble a first aid kit. Minor injuries creep up on kids when they're at school. Items such as Advil, Band Aids, Neosporin, and cough drops are usually no where to be found. Create a college emergency kit with medical information and accessories for easy remedies at your child's fingertips. 10. Ship it. Dorm rooms seem to be shrinking while the stuff kids bring to college seems to be growing. You will undoubtedly not have enough room to bring everything with you. Most campuses will accept packages a day or two ahead of move-in. Leave a few empty boxes with your student to ship back the stuff they later decide they don't need. *T When packing up your student for college, don't forget to enjoy the moment. Visit http://www.boxbundles.com/college for 10% off your college-bound move and other tips on managing the moving process. College students and parents are encouraged to visit the BoxBundles site and share their tips and experiences. About BoxBundles BoxBundles.com provides discounted corrugated boxes and moving supplies for consumer and commercial buyers through its online portal. The company offers a variety of moving kits and bundles to meet each customer's specific needs. BoxBundles.com features an innovative "Box Calculator" - designed to help users accurately determine the amount of boxes and supplies needed to move their belongings. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]