Summer time is here and that means many young people are preparing to move away to college or graduate school. If you’re moving away to school this year you definitely need to start thinking about a packing and moving plan now. Moving away from home and into a school dorm or apartment is a huge transition. You will likely find yourself living in a much smaller space than you are used to. You might be sharing a place with other students or roommates and will need to figure out what you can bring and which of your items should be left behind. Here are some tips on how to deal with moving and packing for school.

1. Only take what you need. Furniture, your bed, seasonal clothing, and all those little extras may need to be left behind. If you’re going to be moving into a smaller space you should only bring the essentials. Plus you will be buying more items like books and school supplies when you move into your new home.

2. Keep an eye on your budget. Most college and graduate students are on a very limited budget. Make sure you set a budget for your move that you can afford. You should factor in the transportation costs (gas, airline tickets), the cost of moving and storage, and food. Also think about creating a new budget for your monthly expenses at school.

3. Sharing items. If you have roommates in your dorm or apartment you can actually save time and money by sharing items. Try connecting before your move to see if you have similar items like TV’s and bookshelves. You can bring one while they bring the other. This will cut down moving time for both of you.

4. Consider hiring movers. If you are planning to move a lot of large boxes or furniture it may be a good idea to hire movers. A moving company like Boyer- Rosene works with moves of all sizes. You can also rent a moving truck or van and do some of the hauling yourself.

5. Do you need storage? Instead of worrying about what to do with your excess items you can keep them in a local storage unit. They will be kept clean, safe, and in great condition until you are ready to move home or find a larger living space.