Helpful Tips for Move-Out

The move-out process can be stressful whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned veteran. Right after finals, before commencement and with everything happening on campus, it could become overwhelming. However, being a senior, I feel like our family has gotten move-out down to a science. That’s why I am here to share some tips and tricks to make move out as seamless as possible. 

PRE-MOVE OUT

• Make a plan. Decide what day you are going to move your student out of their residence hall, who is driving, who is helping and what you may need to bring. Ask your student if they have more or less than what they started the year with and encourage them to purge anything they may no longer need before you arrive.
  
  More than likely, your student has probably accumulated some stuff since you dropped them off at the beginning of the year, so be prepared to carry some extra stuff back home with you!
  
• Register your license plate online for a temporary loading permit that will allow you to park temporarily in residential zones adjacent to University Housing buildings or in specifically reserved move-out loading zones. Students are allowed a maximum of 45 minutes to load their vehicles in dedicated move-out loading areas.
  
  For parking details visit transportation.ncsu.edu/spring-move-out/.
  
• Move-out begins on April 24 and all students must be out of their residence halls no later than 10:00 a.m. on May 4.
  
  For more information on move-out dates and times please visit University Housing.

• Talk about house rules well in advance. This is not a conversation to have on the car ride home. Be sure to discuss expectations
  
• Have your student pack up what they can beforehand. Their roommates and suitemates will probably be moving out simultaneously, and it can get complicated and busy. Encourage them to pack up the smaller stuff and things like their clothes to save time when you get to campus.
  
• Don’t forget a parking pass for your car to avoid being in violation of NCSU Parking rules. There are certain rules and regulations as to where parents can park and for how long to move out. To obtain a move-out permit and see the rules click here.

DURING MOVE OUT

• Many hands make for light work and the fastest way to get anything done during move-out is for everyone to take a task and run with it. This way, everyone works on something, and the process is streamlined. Make sure to remove all belongings from the room because there is a charge if you leave something behind. For more information please click here.
  
• Be sure your student takes time to say goodbye to their friends and community. Encourage your students to go out for a final dinner or hang out with their friends before moving out. It’s a great way to celebrate the end of the year and go out one more time before everyone goes home for the summer.
  
• Make memories! Similar to moving in, moving out can be stressful, but it can also be fun. Remember, these times are what you make it. Steal little moments of laughter and fun. Take pictures and unless there is a need to rush, take your time.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of tips but just the highlights of what my parents would offer to others. What worked for them might not work for everyone, but just remember, moving out of a residence hall is an experience because it marks the achievement of finishing a year of college.

Good luck!