There comes a time for everyone to leave the nest and strike out on their own. For some, it’s when they move away for their first year at college.
It’s an exhilarating time, but with adulthood also comes the responsibility of buying, cooking, and washing your own stuff. Bright side, at least you won’t have to worry about your parents making you eat your greens anymore.
But as you start managing your first apartment or even dorm room alone, a few things could catch you off guard.
The following tips and checklist will help you lock down a few basics for a smooth transition to living independently.
8 Things You’ll Need for Your First Move
1) Prepare Your Pivotal Paperwork
Before packing, gather important documents and keep them close (either the actual paperwork or the digital files). You’ll need quick access to these docs for various things during and after your move:
- Government IDs
- Birth certificate
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Social security card/info, etc.
- Financial documents
- Bank account statements
- Loan papers
- Tax receipts, etc.
- School records
- Transcripts
- Diplomas
- Professional licenses
- Degree certificates
- Letters of recommendation, etc.
- Medical records
- Vaccination card
- List of health issues, medications, etc.
2) Set Up a Virtual Mailbox
As you prepare to leave your childhood home, a virtual mailbox assures that your mail always follows you wherever you are – whether you’re on campus, back at home, or traveling. A virtual mailbox is the future of how we’ll handle mail and is perfect for your first move:
- A virtual mailbox allows you to easily manage your mail through a mobile app so you can focus on other things while knowing your packages are kept safe and sound until you’re ready.
- Bonus: your parents won’t be keeping an eye on your mail and packages. Ahh, the sweet smell of much-needed privacy.
3) Stock Your Kitchen
One of the hardest parts about moving out is missing homemade meals. Alas, it’s time to become an adult and cook your own food. Here’s a checklist of kitchen essentials to help you get the job done so you don’t have to be ordering delivery 24/7:
- Fridge/Microwave/Toaster
- Pots/Pans
- Bowls/Plates
- Cups/Mugs
- Kettle
- Spoons/Forks/Knives
- Chopping board
- Oven mitts
- Paper towels
- Trash bin
- Sponges
- Tupperware/Storage containers
- Cling wrap/Aluminum foil
- Measuring cups and spoons
4) Make a Clean Break
Once you move out of your family home, any mess you make, well, it’s now your mess. Eventually you’ll have to get to the cleaning of dirty dishes and old laundry.
Here are some basic cleaning supplies to have on hand to tackle dirt and disorder:
- Trash bags
- Multi-purpose cleaner
- Dishwashing liquid
- Vacuum cleaner
- Mop
- Dust pan/Broom
- Rubber gloves
- Stain remover
- Air freshener
5) Equip Your Bathroom Zen
Nothing’s better than a warm, comforting shower after a long day. Make sure you’ve got these stocked in your bathroom so you can relax efficiently:
- Toiletries (e.g., shampoo, body soap, shaving cream, etc.)
- Shower curtains
- Bath mats
- Toilet brush
- Toilet plunger
6) Get Your Snooze Spot in Shape
Sleeping on the floor or a bare, dreary room is always doable. Not recommended, though. Turn a house into a home and ensure you get a good night’s rest with the following:
- Duvet
- Mattress sheet set
- Bed
- Pillows
- Bedside table
- Lamp
- Coat hangers and drawer organizers
7) Travel with Your Toolkit
While you can always hire a handyperson for small repairs in your apartment or dorm, it’s still worth having a basic toolkit on hand so you can do minor fixes yourself.
These are some essential items your tool kit should have:
- Tape measure
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Wrenches
- Utility knife
- Scissors
- Clamps
8) Finally…Fix Up Your First Aid Kit
You’ll never know when you or your roommates might need a first aid kit, so it’s always a good idea to prepare one ahead of time so you’re ready.
Here’s a list of items you should include in your kit:
- Bandaids
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Medical tape
- Gauze pads and rolls
- Hand sanitizer
- Digital thermometer
- Disposable masks and non-latex gloves
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Antiseptic wipes
- Cotton balls
- Antibiotic cream
- Eye drops
- Cold and cough medicine
- Painkillers
Farewell Nest, Gotta Fly
Leaving your parents’ home is a big deal. And it’s rarely easy.
It’s okay to feel unprepared and overwhelmed. After all, you’re starting your life on your own for the first time. But with a little planning and prep, you’ll be ready to soar.
Huge congrats on this next step of your journey…
