Off To College: 5 Things You Should Plan On Doing Before Moving Away

College is said to be one of the most fun, tough, and influential times during one’s life. There’s no doubt that you’ll see, hear, and experience things that you’ve never experienced before. Before heading off to the next phase of your life, however, there are some important matters that must be handled. Preparing for college is not just a mental process–you must also plan ahead of time if you want a smooth transition. Here are a few things that you should take care of before going away to school.

Make Copies of and Bring along Important Documents

Ensure that you take all vital records and other important information along for the ride. Everything from your driver’s license and birth certificate to your social security card and medical records will be required for registration, signing up for special college programs, driving if you will have your car on campus, job interviews and more. If possible, make copies so that you don’t misplace the official documents.

Get a Physical Check-up and any necessary Vaccinations

Presenting medical records is mandatory for admission to most colleges and universities for safety reasons. Not only does the school want to try to accommodate you if you have any special needs, it also wants to ensure that you don’t spread any contagious diseases to other attending students. You will likely be required to get a physical and any vaccinations that are missing on a predetermined list.

Bring a List of Emergency Contacts and Helpful Resources

Numbers of family members, relatives, close friends, the family doctor, previous employers, the car insurance company, and anyone else you find to be of importance should be physically written down in a notebook and brought along with you. While you might already have all of this on your phone, losing your phone without having the notebook would cause a lot of complications.

Pack First-aid Supplies, Medications, and Vitamins

Always prepare for the worst. Bringing medical supplies and medications is never a bad idea. If you have a health problem and need to follow a certain diet, pack nutritional supplements, vitamins, or canned and dry foods to last a few days.

Arrange for Public Storage in case Move-in goes Sour

As you can see, moving away to college usually means bringing along a ton of stuff. From basic essentials such as toiletries and personal hygiene supplies to extras like furniture and entertainment items like TVs or video game systems, there is just so much a college student might want to bring to campus. Move-in dates are usually given in advance so that students know when exactly they can transition their belongings to their new homes, but things don’t always work out perfectly. Students who find themselves unable to move in to a dorm or on-campus apartment when expected must figure out what to do with all of the belongings they have with them. A great idea would be to find a local storage space to house the belongings for a few days. There are so many options for Dallas TX storage, so research ahead of time to find the space that suits you best.

 Author Bio

Kathrine Kreger, is a freelance writer from Eugene, OR. She loves museums, art and football. For those who are looking for a reputable storage company, look to (http://www.extraspace.com/Storage/Facilities/US/Nevada/Las_Vegas/900289/Facility.aspx) for a location near you.