College Campus Series:
Lighten Your Load During Your Next Move

Guest Blogger Eddie Moye is a summer fellow at Ketchum, the public relations agency for FedEx Office. He recently graduated from college and has lived in four different cities in the past four years – and knows the stress that comes with moving all too well. 

During my four years at a college 600 miles away from my hometown, I amassed a gargantuan amount of stuff. I hoarded and piled everything I owned in my tiny dorm room, leaving only a small walkway from the door to my bed. Since I didn’t have a car at school, I had to fly home every summer – leaving me to fit everything I had accumulated into only the two duffel bags that airline baggage policies allow. Honestly, more of my stuff ended up in trash bags than in my luggage by the time I was done packing up my room.

And it’s no different when you’re getting ready for the return trip every fall!

Every college student experiences the headache of moving their whole life to campus, only to turn around and get it all home after spring semester just months later. Those with cars large enough to pack to the roof are lucky, but for students like me who are too far from home to drive, there are better options than trashing or giving away your belongings as you get ready for the big return trip. For starters, you can ship your clothes, room decorations and essential school supplies back home to ensure a lighter load while you travel.

Here are some tips to make your move (or your kid’s move) back to campus easier:

• Don’t bring all of your clothes in one trip. Save space in your drawers and closets by packing your summer and winter wardrobe separately and shipping them later – when you really need them.
• Roll your shirts and jeans instead of folding. It takes up less space and leaves clothes wrinkle-free.
• Sandwich picture frames and breakables between blankets or pillows for added protection.
• Use tube shaped boxes to ship posters and collages, preventing creases for your wall art.
• Put easy-to-lose items inside your shoes when you pack. They won’t break and you’ll know exactly where you left them!

If you have other tips for shipping from home to the dorm and back again, I’d love to hear them. Leave your tips below!

Related FedEx Office Solutions: Packing Services, Shipping Services