How to IMSA: Move-Out Day

Move-out day is approaching, and it’s never too late (or too early, depending on how you view it) to start preparing. It can be stressful, but it can go smoothly if you’re ready.

• Start bringing stuff home if you haven’t already and you plan to go home between now and finals week. Or, if you have a lot of stuff in your room and your parents live close, consider requesting that they come up for a weekend and load up anything that you won’t need over the next few weeks. You may think that move-out will be identical to move-in, but you’d be surprised how much random stuff you can accumulate over the course of a year.

• Figure out what day you’ll be moving out. If you’re a sophomore or a junior, this will depend on the timing of your last final exam. Knowing what day you’ll move out will help you plan how and when your parents will arrive, your packing schedule, and your coordination with your roommate.

• Follow your RC’s instructions. Different RC might have different instructions; don’t rely on extendeds and last year’s move-out day to know what’s going on. Check with your RC for their instructions and memorize them. It’ll be a lot easier to meet the move-out requirements if you know what they are.

• Pack early. If you have something that’s going to take a while to take apart (a shelf installed over your toilet, for example), don’t wait for your parents to come help you. It’ll be easier on you and them if you plan ahead, borrow any tools you need, and have it all packed up for when your parents arrive.

Move-out day can be a fine and freeing experience if you’re well-prepared, and following these instructions should help get you there. Four weeks from now, you’ll thank your past self if you start prepping now.