Moving your college student home for the summer may seem like a daunting task. Especially if they attend school out-of-state. But if you organize and prepare, the transition back home can be smoother than expected. There are two residences for your student that you need to consider: their college home and their home with you.
Preparing your home to welcome your student back is your first step. Get their space prepared with fresh linens, empty dresser drawers and closet space, and the toiletries they’ll need. If your student is going to be attending the same college again in the fall, they’ll likely not bring everything home with them. So whatever you can put together in their space to make them feel comfortable will mean less items to move home for the summer.
At the same time, your student will need to assess which items they’ll need to bring home, and which can stay. It is possible that a storage unit near the college is a good solution for housing dorm or apartment items during the summer. Then all they’ll need to move are summer clothing, computer equipment and personal items. The rest can stay in storage until fall.
By move-out day, your student should have storage items packed up in boxes, ready to move. And suitcases packed to come home. Declutter the room, and deep clean after everything is removed. The key to a successful move is to remember that your student has been independent all year, and let them lead the process.