by Todd Pheifer

Created on: May 18, 2009

College is an amazing experience and it can lay the groundwork for many things that people want to accomplish in life. People want to make sure that they are prepared for college. Not only do they want to be ready for the classroom, but they also want to have all the tangible tools that are needed for the experience. If people are going to school away from home, they may need to pack a number of things for living. Some individuals have no idea what to pack, and a lack of perspective can be compounded if packing does not start early enough. Here are a few thoughts on how to avoid procrastination and be prepared for college packing.

Keep a list

Packing is often aided when people put together a list of needed items. There are plenty of resources for putting together a list of college needs. Oftentimes the school itself can provide such an item. The advantage of a list is that people are less likely to forget crucial items. The human memory is not always reliable when it comes to retaining key pieces of information.

Start early

People are often gifted when it comes to procrastination. Some people convince themselves that they work best "under pressure" but the reality is that mistakes are most often made when people have less time to think through a process. Therefore, it may be best to start the process early. Setting aside items in a corner of a room, or stacking things in a box is a good way to start and it also serves as a reminder that this project needs consistent attention.

Ask friends

Again, some people are fairly clueless when it comes to new experiences. Therefore, it may be wise to ask people about packing who have recently gone off to college. This can help people differentiate between recommended lists and a more realistic collection of needed items. Granted, people should collect as much information as possible, particularly since each person's experience is different. If people get various pieces of information, they can start to see patterns that are applicable to their situation.

Buy it there

Finally, people should keep in mind that it is sometimes more efficient and cost-effective to buy certain things when they arrive. Getting things at home may allow the person to check the items off the list, but it may end up costing more because the inventory has to be transported or shipped. This can get expensive, either through baggage fees or shipping costs. Therefore, certain generic items may be best obtained when one arrives at the destination.

Overall, packing for college is not necessarily complex, but it should be approached with planning and diligence. The individual who gathers information, plans ahead, and stays on task will find that the packing process is not necessarily a daunting task. Happy packing!

Learn more about this author, Todd Pheifer.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.