Graduating college is a major milestone that often comes with new challenges and responsibilities. Moving after college causes an influx of new people to certain cities during the early summer or winter months. After college graduation, new graduates will be looking for full-time jobs, which are often most accessible in major cities.
If you are one of these new college graduates, there are some extra tips that can help you achieve a smooth transition and thrive in your new city. Below are some moving, packing, and transition tips for newly graduated students.Â
Plan Early To Mitigate Stress
The first step is to make a plan and start early. Once you know that graduation is approaching, you should begin to research a new living space, cities where you want to live, and potential job opportunities. Getting a head start can make the process much smoother and prevent undue stress during your last semester of school.
Additional planning steps to take include:
- Set a moving date
- Create a checklist to keep you on track
- Notify your landlord (if applicable)
Gather Proper Packing Materials
Utilizing the right packing materials may not seem like a big deal, but they can help protect your belongings from damage and keep you organized. Finding sturdy materials will make packing easier and help you pack strategically. Most office supply stores or storage units will offer different packing materials like packing tape, bubble wrap, boxes, labels, packing peanuts, etc.Â
Pack Strategically
Once you have gathered your packing materials you can make a plan for packing. Packing strategically helps streamline packing your moving truck or car, or storing in a unit, and can limit stress when unpacking. Finding your daily items or essential belongings will be easier when boxes or bins are labeled correctly.
Keeping toiletries, chargers, and other essential items in a bag will leave them easily accessible after a long moving day. You will be able to go to sleep or relax before fully unpacking when your toiletries are stored separately.Â
After college, you may be a little strapped for money, which can make purchasing packing materials difficult. One way to pack with care in mind is to use towels or pieces of clothing to wrap your dishes or fragile items. This will limit the amount of packing materials you need and maximize space during packing linens and clothing.
Utilize A Storage Unit
Seasonal items or extra clothing may not fit in your new apartment or home. Renting a storage unit will help you limit clutter inside your new home that can cause you to feel overwhelmed during the transition. Researching storage units in your new community could be helpful in the future as well. A self-storage unit can help you organize your new living space before bringing in all your belongings.Â
Budget For Your Move
After college, it is important to budget and keep track of your spending, especially if you are currently looking for a job. Budgeting ahead of your move will help you secure a living place that is within your budget and give you enough monetary resources to pay for other necessities. Expenses you will need to account for include:
- Utilities
- Security deposits
- Moving trucks or other transport
- First months rent
- Travel costs
- Food
- Cleaning supplies
- Toiletries
- Storage unit rent
It can be overwhelming to move to a new place and budget for a new life after you have gotten used to college life. When moving to a new city, making proper plans and creating a budget will help you feel prepared for the future.
Remember That Things And Situations Can Be Temporary
The stress that comes with moving and transitioning can be overwhelming and scary. During a transitional period, it is important to remember that all situations can be temporary. Even if you are excited to transition into a new role and live in a new place, seeing the situation as temporary can lower the anxiety you feel during the move.
Aprehension around entering the workforce and full adult life is normal. Keeping in mind that other people are also transitioning and that every person has to start somewhere can help ease your mind. It is completely ok to be new at something and move somewhere you have never been.Â
Choose A Reputable Mover
Hiring the help of a moving company may be necessary when you are packing up your entire life and moving to a new area. Moving companies will be able to do most of the heavy lifting and help organize the moving truck to ensure safe travel. 700 Block Storage works with a preferred moving company, Rocky Mountain Movers, because we know that quality companies make all the difference during a transition. Doing your research on a moving company is key to starting your new life off on the right foot. Quality moving companies are important when you are moving large and small items alike.Â
Find Support In A New City
Once you are moved in and are starting to look for social interaction and job prospects, it is time to branch out of your comfort zone. Building a support network in a new city can be intimidating, but it’s important to a well-rounded lifestyle. One of the easiest ways to make friends after college is to join a group or volunteer organization. Find activities or groups that match your interests and can help you network as well.
In the age of social media, you can also find new friends in your new city much faster. Find local festivals, small businesses, farmers’ markets, or local meetups. You can also find those who are local to your area by reading bios or using Instagram’s location tag feature.
Seamless Moves With 700 Block Storage
If you are moving to Utah, our storage unit facility can help you transition to the full-time working life with ease. Our facility is located just off of I-15 so it is easy to access during your commute or as you enter the Salt Lake Valley. With different sized units and climate-controlled options, we are the number one choice for those on a budget and transitioning to a new city. Limit stress and fatigue by choosing a reputable storage company. Move into your unit today!
