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Unpacking–a task most of us dread.

There is so much great information about packing efficiently and tips for college students putting their stuff into storage for the summer. But what about unpacking? It's equally as important as packing and can be equally stressful. 

You're in the home stretch of your move back to college. Whether you are eager to unpack your belongings from student storage or dread it, read on for some tips on making the whole process easy and-dare we say, stress-free?

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Set the Mood

You will have both your summer storage and all the stuff you brought home for the summer to unpack. Before you tackle the big project of setting up your new living space, let's set the stage for a successful day and make it fun. First, get some music going–Something upbeat or mood-lifting to make moving day more of a fun experience than a chore. What songs are guaranteed to put you in a good mood? Play that. 

Next, think of aromatherapy to help with your unpacking! Citrus scents like lemon, grapefruit, and orange are energizing and uplifting (and make great cleaners). When packing your belongings (we hope you took our advice), leave your diffuser and some essential oils on top so you can set that up immediately. The power of essential oils in a dorm room can really help on moving day. 

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Clean First

We'd love to tell you that your expensive college tuition will guarantee a thoroughly scrubbed and squeaky-clean dorm room. Unfortunately, that's not usually the case. It's possible your dorm room housed prospective students or sports camps over the summer. It's also possible that it was cleaned in May and hasn't been touched in three months. Whatever the case, it's always a good idea to give your new living space at least a quick wipe-down before settling in. We're not talking major cleaning session. Just get rid of those dust bunnies with a few basic cleaning supplies. Have an all-purpose cleaner, paper towels, and some disposable cleaning wipes handy. Trash bags will also be needed to toss everything in when you're finished. Have a designated spot to put your trash and empty boxes if you don't plan to keep them. Break them down to keep space clear and make cleanup a cinch. Check to see if your school recycles used boxes. Then get right to unpacking.  

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This or That?

So which should you tackle first–unboxing summer storage or unpacking of summer break? There's no one correct answer here, so consider what you need immediately and tackle that first. You don't have to unpack everything in one day if you don't want to. But you'll need to unload some necessary items on that first day. Bedding, books, and essentials should go first. To keep organized, know that everything will have a place in your room. Remember how we told you in a previous article about the importance of labeling your boxes and packing with unpacking in mind? Rather than opening everything to see what's inside, your labeling system will come in handy. Hence, you know what's in each box, and your essentials will be easy to locate. 

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Bedding

You'll want to sleep on a clean, made bed on your first night back at college, so be sure to unbox your bedding first. If you were smart, you washed, folded, and stored those sheets at the very top of the box so that they are still fresh smelling when you open them up. If not, you'll definitely want to run them through the washer before anything else (so unbox that detergent immediately too). A freshly made bed with clean sheets, blankets, and pillows will be welcome at the end of the day when you're more than ready to crash. Don't leave this task to the last minute because you could end up sleeping on an unmade bed on your first night back. As a bonus tip, consider packing all your bedding in one box. Blankets, pillows, and sheets can fit together easily and, if labeled, should be the first one you open.  

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Books and School Supplies

The first day of class usually comes quickly. You want to be prepared for it after a long day of unboxing and unpacking, so have what you need out and ready to go: books, notebooks, pencils, highlighters, a planner, a backpack, and anything else you will need to make your first day go smoothly! Put it away in its proper place before anything else so you can wake up on your first day of class prepared for the new semester. 

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Essentials

Toiletries, food, and other necessities can be categorized as "essentials" because you will definitely need those during your first day back at college. A warm shower and a full belly will feel long overdue after move-in day. Unpack and put essentials in their proper places. Clean up any messes from partially opened bottles or spilled foods right away. You'll be grateful that you got this out of the way first. Medications and vitamins are another essential to keep out as well as phone and laptop chargers. Keep these things in a separate box or at the top of your filled boxes for easy access. 

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Furniture

Before you find a place for your smaller items, set up your furniture and more oversized items. Shelves, dressers, desks, mirrors, chairs, mini-fridges, and other bulky items will need a permanent spot. It's easier to move around furniture when there's open space rather than shift things around after the fact. Figure out how to arrange your large items before you unbox and place all the rest. 

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One Area at a Time

Next, focus your efforts on unpacking just one area at a time. Since we're only talking about a dorm room or small living space, you will only have a few different places to set up. Still, compartmentalizing can prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and keep you focused until the job is done. Start with your "kitchen" area, then move on to the others: desk area, bed area, closet, shelf space, relaxation space, study area, and any other space you'll need to set up. If an item doesn't belong in any of those spaces, keep it in the box for now and determine later if it's really something you need.

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Décor

Keep the room décor for the end. Once your room is set up, and everything is in its place, you'll have a clearer picture of where to place wall hangings and other room décor. Think of it like the icing on the cake: the final touch to making your room your own! And a reward after a long, but well-planned move.

Unpacking your items from college storage is not necessarily something to look forward to, but going in with a strong game plan can make the process a breeze. It doesn't have to be stressful or complicated. With a few strategic steps, you'll be on your way to an exciting new year of college. 

If we can make any part of the college moving and storage process a little easier for you at Storage Scholars, please let us know! Send us an email or visit our website and tell us your plans. 

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