Yikes! It's already August, which means it's that time of year again. Summer is winding down and it's time to start thinking about school again. While some of you may be thinking "WHAT THE HECK" or something stronger, it's my back-to-school philosophy that you can never start planning too early. While the back-to-school season seems pretty simple for high schoolers (just read some books and make sure you have note taking supplies), it can be a bit more stressful for college students, especially those just entering college. Since I have a couple of move-ins under my belt, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share some knowledge.

1. Start with a clean slate.

I really hate cleaning my room, but having a clean room is definitely the best way to starting packing. After cleaning up, you'll have plenty of room to pile clothes and pack bins without the fear of accidentally packing dirty clothes and sending clean clothes to the washer.

2. Be realistic with your wardrobe.

If you haven't worn something in the past year, you probably aren't going to start wearing it now. I recently parted ways with several scarves and some jackets and shirts that have been sitting around. Consider donating your gently used clothing to charity! Not only will you have more room, but you'll be helping the community. Also, be cognizant that you may not have as much closet space as you would like. I know some people who complain about not having enough space for their wardrobe. You'll either have to invest in extra storage, figure out a way to rotate seasonal clothing, or get rid of some of your less-essential articles!

3. Figure out what you should bring now.

Do you really need to bring your sweaters and winter clothing with you in August? Unless you won't be coming home before the winter chill sets in and won't have any way to get warmer clothing to school with you, I would advise leaving most of your heavier clothing at home to be switched in later.

4. Figure out what to buy now and what to get later.

There are some things that you should just buy in advance, but there are definitely ways to save space with smart shopping. Unless you really need something, try to wait to buy food and toiletries until you get to school. That way you'll have more space in your vehicle(s). Protip: If you shop at Bed Bath & Beyond, you can pick up your purchases at any store across the nation. Just figure out the closest BB&B to your school and arrange to pick everything up there! Some other stores offer similar services, so just ask!

5. Pack smart.

This may be a given, but don't just throw everything in a bag. Folding all of your clothing and arranging/rearranging things into bins can really save you space, time, and effort!

6. Communicate with roommates.

Check with your roommates to see what they're planning on bringing. It would be a disaster to end up with two TVs and four lamps but have no vacuum or plunger. Talk to your roommates to see what each of you can bring and try to share the load.

7. Have a game plan.

While you may not know exactly how you're going to arrange your side of your room, if you can imagine some parts of it, that really helps. I know that I like to pack all of my desk stuff in one box, bedding and towels in another, and toiletries in a third. Throwing everything into random bags and boxes will cause chaos down the line, so be smart and pack with a game plan in mind.

While packing can be really stressful, if you approach it with a plan, it can actually be fun! Good luck everyone and enjoy the rest of summer!