Preparing For A Long Distance Move To School

Should I take my huge stuffed panda? Do I pack paper and pens, or wait until I get to college to buy school supplies? Will I need a winter parka? Can I fit my printer into my bags? These questions are typical for college students packing for the campus. For those attending school close to home, the answers are easy. Sure…stuff everything in the car! Yet for those of us attending a college outside of driving distance from home, it isn't that simple. Of course, we don't have a family automobile for lugging our things. But also, we are less likely to return home during the year to re-supply with forgotten items and seasonal clothes.

Therefore, for us long-distancers, packing and shipping are high stakes activities. We must predict our needs for several seasons and semesters. And of course, there is the challenge of getting our belongings several states away. Even though I live near Philadelphia, my college of choice was in California. When my long-awaited acceptance letter arrived, I believed I could finally relax. After the college application process, financial aid procedures, and high school graduation, there was no more planning--or so I thought.

For context, it's important to say that I like to think of myself as organized. I applied to colleges early. I learned the financial aid process and arranged loans. I bought my plane ticket to college four months in advance. My class schedule was set, my dorm selected, and I was eager to start classes. But suddenly, when August arrived and college was three weeks away, I had a surprise. I realized that I had not planned appropriately for the physical move. Oh no! I needed to decide what to take, how to pack, and how to get my belongings all the way across the country. Yet I did not know where to turn. Throughout the earlier steps toward college, there had been assistance from teachers, guidance counselors, financial aid experts, and college admissions folks. But for this, I believed I was on my own.

Originally, I had expected to fit my belongings in two suitcases and whisk them away with me when I took off for California at the end of the month. But as my packing list grew, reality struck. I would never fit what I needed for an entire year into two suitcases. Or even four suitcases. Or five. And even if I could, airlines had weight limits, size limits, and high fees for extra bags. Panic set in. What should have been a positive time turned into several weeks of worry?

I finally found three enormous flattened boxes on a neighbor's curb that were put out for recycling. I lugged them home, taped them together, and filled them to the brim with all my things, with no rhyme or reason to the packing. Because the boxes were almost hip-high, my mom and I dragged them (literally) to the back of our old van, wrenched them inside, and drove them to a shipper we found through an internet search. I had no idea if I packed correctly or what shipping might cost. But at this point, I felt there was no choice.

Yes, eventually my things made their way across the country. Yet it took a lot of guessing, hope, and luck. How to ship? How to pack? What were the costs? Were there options? I was shipping more than small parcels, yet certainly, I was not moving a household. I've heard that we learn the most when we make mistakes. I have certainly become wiser about shipping, even though I learned the hard way. So, looking back, and finally breathing a sigh of relief, I have some thoughts that may help someone else:

• College preparation includes planning for getting there: It is too easy to stop planning after the acceptance letter arrives.
• Budget enough time: Two weeks before leaving for college is too late to start planning, packing, and shipping.
• Budget enough money: Even though shipping was a very minor portion of my college expenses, I had forgotten to plan for it when I budgeted.
• Get support from professionals! I had no idea there were trained and trusted professionals who could advise me and help with all aspects of shipping.
• Packing light is not always the best strategy: For example, my stereotype of southern California was sunshine and warmth, but this winter it has been rainy and cold. How I wish I had packed my rain boots and a fleece jacket! Also (let's be truthful), college students do not do laundry as often as they might like, so it helps to have a larger supply of basics.
• It can be more economical to ship items than to wait and buy them near campus: I planned to purchase a few things after I arrived at college—mostly linens and room decor. However, they were considerably more expensive than at home.
• Even if it costs more to ship some items instead of buying on arrival, it may be worth it: What is it peace of mind worth? When I arrived at college, the last thing I wanted to do was find rides to distant stores. At that busy time, I did not need additional stress.
• Remember the big picture! Applying to colleges, selecting a college, and financial planning are difficult. There is also additional worry about shipping and distance for those who set forth across several states. The big picture is all about a successful college transition, so planning early and finding help can help to make the entire experience a positive one.

Because I put things off and was inexperienced, I discovered too late that part of a comfortable college transition is stress-free shipping. However, I have three more years to not only do things differently but also to share lessons learned the hard way. So maybe procrastination has some benefits after all.