In a few short weeks, you will enter another transition in your wild college life: college move-out. While studying for finals, you will be simultaneously prepping to move out of your dorm or off-campus apartment for summer break. We're not going to lie–moving is hard work. It's strenuous and exhausting. We've been through enough college moves to be able to share with you some incredibly helpful tips to get you through the big day as safely as possible and without any injuries. We want you to be able to enjoy that summer break to the fullest and without any broken bones or sprained ankles. Just remember, lifting weights at the gym is one thing, but carrying a mini-fridge down three flights of stairs and across the quad is a whole different beast. 

Here are our best tips to prevent pain and injury while you move out of college:

Start planning early: We may sound like a broken record if you've read any of our past blogs, but we can't stress this enough! Don't leave your move-out planning until the last minute. How does this prevent injury? Waiting until the last minute will leave you stressed and rushed. It can be a recipe for disaster. Stress is never good for the body. And being rushed will undoubtedly leave room for mistakes such as over-packing boxes, failure to wrap cords properly, and so much more. 

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Prepare your body: Get energized with proper nutrition, drink lots of water, and stretch before you start. If you are an athlete, you know how to fuel your body and the importance of water and stretching. If not, you'll need to get in the mindset of training like an athlete. Imagine you are training for a big race–what would you do beforehand? Sleep well, eat a protein-packed breakfast, hydrate, and spend ten minutes on a few simple stretching exercises to prevent muscle cramps and pulls. Your body will indeed thank you at the end of a long day. 

Ask for help: Don't try to move everything by yourself. Ask friends and family members, or hire professional movers specializing in college moves to help you with the heavy lifting, especially if you plan to move some of your items into storage. Some items, like furniture, large appliances, and TVs, could easily injure you if you go at it alone. Swap your time with a friend and help each other with those oversized items. 

Take breaks: Moving can be physically and mentally draining, so rest and rehydrate throughout the process. Taking breaks is essential to avoid overexertion and prevent injuries during the move-out process. It's important to listen to your body and take rest breaks. Sit down, grab a snack, and relax your muscles. Remember, moving is a marathon, not a sprint, so pacing yourself and resting periodically is crucial to ensure you don't wear yourself out too quickly.

Use proper lifting techniques: When lifting heavy objects, always use your legs to push up and support the weight, not your back. Bend your knees, keep your back straight, and lift with your legs. Avoid twisting your back while lifting or carrying heavy items, which can lead to painful strains or injuries. Keep boxes or other objects close to your body to maintain your center of gravity and prevent back strain. And never be afraid to ask for help. 

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes: Wear comfortable, breathable clothing that allows you to move freely. Choose supportive shoes with good traction to avoid slips and unexpected but painful blisters. Moving day is not the day to bust out your flip-flops or sundress. Athletic sneakers and workout clothes are perfect for your long day of work.

Use the right equipment: Borrow or rent any equipment you may need, such as dollies, hand trucks, and furniture sliders, to make moving heavy items more manageable and safer. Ask your college about borrowing a dolly, or your rental truck or moving company may have them available to use. If you hire a company like Storage Scholars to do all the work for you, they also come prepared with all the necessary equipment. 

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Clear your path: Before moving, clear a path to ensure you can move around freely and safely. Remove any obstacles, such as boxes or furniture, from your path. The last thing you need is to trip over items and end your moving day before it even starts. You may need to prop doors open before lifting boxes too. 

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‍Pack smart: Use sturdy boxes and packing materials to protect your belongings during the move. Label boxes clearly and use packing tape to secure them properly. Some moving companies (like Storage Scholars) want to ensure you have the sturdiest boxes out there for an added layer of protection; they provide you with all the boxes and packing supplies you could need at no extra cost. 

Packing smart also means distributing the weight evenly inside your boxes and trying not to exceed 40 lbs. in any one box. Ensure that all cords are wrapped appropriately, especially for items that might not fit in a box, such as mini-fridges, microwaves, and televisions. Aside from damaging the items, you could easily trip over a cord while moving it.   

Stay focused: Moving can be distracting, but staying focused and aware of your surroundings is essential. Avoid using your phone or other distractions while moving heavy objects to reduce the risk of injury. It sounds silly, but we can't tell you how many times we've seen students trying to multitask while moving. Unfortunately, they usually learn their lesson the hard way. 

Enjoy some self-care: When all is said and done, indulge in some self-care to restore your mind and body at the end of your moving day! Whether it's a massage, some yoga, or enjoying some ice cream while watching Netflix, reward yourself for a successful move-out. Take a moment to reflect on the day and think about the fun summer you've got to look forward to! 

Final Thoughts-

Moving out of college can be a challenging and physically demanding task, but with proper preparation and caution, it can also be a safe and injury-free experience. Following the tips outlined in this guide, you can minimize the risk of pain and injury and make your move-out process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Remember to take breaks, lift heavy objects properly, avoid distractions, and plan ahead to ensure a safe and successful move-out. With these precautions in mind, you can enjoy the excitement of summer break without any unnecessary pain or discomfort. And if you change your mind and need a hand, the fantastic team at Storage Scholars will be here to help with your move. We can do all the heavy lifting, plus store your belongings over the summer and redeliver them again in the fall before your first day of class. That's two moves for the price of one! Call us today or visit our website to see how we can help. 

Good luck with your move!

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