College Students: Ways to Make This Fall’s Move Easier

During your college years, you do more moving than perhaps your lifetime — moving in and out of dorms and on and off-campus apartments on a yearly or even a per-semester basis. All that moving can take a toll on both your psyche and your possessions.

Below, we offer several suggestions for how you can make your move this fall a bit easier and much less stressful.  As a mover, we know what works and what doesn’t!

• Wrap items that may break or get scratched – You don’t want to just place items in a box and hope for the best, because chances are these items will rub against and scratch each other. Breakables that are not covered and protected in some way will likely suffer from the jostling that takes place when boxes are being lifted, moved and set down repeatedly. You want to use some type of packing paper to protect scratching of non-breakables and bubble wrap or another cushioning-type wrap to protect glassware, china and ceramics from breakage. It’s a good idea to group fragile items together in the same box (or boxes) and make sure to label those boxes as “Fragile.”
• Use very sturdy cardboard or plastic boxes or crates for packing – It may seem easy to just grab an old box or borrow one from the local store for moving your possessions, however used boxes are often compromised or weakened. If there are already dents, tears and wear on a box, loading it up with stuff and putting it through the rigors of moving will only worsen them. Just any old box won’t do — you need to use something very durable, so a thick cardboard or (ideally) a plastic box or crate is your best bet. Make sure to use smaller boxes for heavier items and larger boxes should only be filled with lightweight items.
• Tape up cardboard boxes securely – You want to make sure that every box is closed securely with tape. In addition to taping the flaps on the top and bottom together, you want to put tape around all the edges where the flaps meet the box. This will prevent the box from having anything slip out as well as strengthen it.
• Label your boxes – By indicating on each box what’s in it and what room it goes in, you’ll avoid having to relocate boxes from one room to another after the move. That’s also why you want to make sure you only have items from one room in each box.
• Avoid stacking weak boxes or other items that may break from the weight – One thing people strive to do when moving is make efficient use of space and time. As a result, they often pile boxes and things on top of one another as they’re packing, try to carry two boxes at the same time, and stack and stuff things into a vehicle too small or unsuitable for moving. You want to keep heavier boxes on the bottom of a pile and breakables on top, and remember that items may shift around as you’re moving from one location to the other.
• Use a dolly or hand truck to transport items more easily and save your back – Moving can be a back-breaking effort and injuries during moves are common. If you’re not already a weight-lifter, athlete or workout devotee (i.e. in good shape), then take it easy by using these tools to move your boxes and heavy items or consider enlisting some help.

There are also two things you want to take care of before your move, particularly if your school is in the City of Boston and/or your building has an elevator:

1. Secure a parking permit/parking spot – This is a very simple process in which you either go to the Boston City Hall or website — https://www.boston.gov/reserve-parking-spot-your-moving-truck. The cost of the permit is around $50. A standard moving truck is 34′ feet long nose-to-tail, therefore it takes up two parking spots that you’ll need to block off with your car and possibly one other (a family member’s or friend’s car).

2. Reserve the elevator in your building – To ensure your move goes smoothly, you need to communicate with your building management as well as any moving company you are using. Having the elevator reserved will save a lot of time and money. Normally, elevator reservations are done in 3-hour increments, so it is important to calculate the right timeframe of your move-in. If your items are loaded in the morning, you should reserve the elevator for the move-in around 12-3 p.m.

Could you use some help?

If the thought of your move this fall seems very daunting to you, consider hiring a professional mover such as Lexel Moving. We know the ins and outs of the streets of Boston and its suburbs very well and offer rates that are affordable to college students. We can help you with any aspect of your move — packing, transporting, move-in and/or set up of your possessions. We can also take care of securing the parking permit and posting and removing it. If you have any overnight storage or packing supply needs, we can help you with those as well. Just give us a call at 855-605-7755.

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