Possibly the most bittersweet moment of a completed year away at college, move out. You are so excited to go home, be reunited with your family, especially your pets, and your friends. The only thing standing in between you and summer vacation is a few finals, and of course, the dreaded packing of your room.
1. You accumulated more things since you first moved in.
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"Do I have more stuff than when I first moved in? When did I even get this?" These thoughts may be running through your mind as you imagine putting all your belongings in bags and boxes to transport back home. Before this year, you may never have had to pack up an entire room, it's not cluttered, it's just lived-in. Hopefully, with a little help you'll make it work.
2. The memories cannot fit in my suitcase.
No duffle bag is big enough to fit these memories that I will hold close to my heart forever. A whole year in the books. Late night talks with your roommate, sharing snacks around 12 a.m., going in to town for the first time to explore, parties, lazy study days, and everything in between, are things you will never forget.
3. "WHERE IS THAT SHIRT?"
You have so many clothes to pack up you may not be thinking about one specific shirt. It may dawn on you one day, randomly, that you haven't seen that item in a while. At first, it is hard to cope with the idea that it will be gone forever. But then you think, "Ugh, nice knowin' ya..." When it comes time to move out, you may find some hidden treasure as you are moving some furniture around, and realize you probably should have cleaned under there sooner.
4. "Does my mom expect the packing to be done when she comes to pick me up?"
"I have finals this week! How am I supposed to find time to pack?" You may be thinking you can get this done in an hour, but, a small army may be needed to tackle everything that has accumulated under the bed and in the desk drawers. You may be wondering why you brought a lot of the things you did, especially the ones you never used, like all those extra light bulbs and vitamins.
5. It's hard to see your walls become more and more bare.
Your room goes from being your home away from home, back to the blank canvas it was back in August. The board games, the decorations, all tucked away ready for next semester. Looking behind you as you walk out of your room for the last time was an experience you did not think would come as fast as it did.
6. It will be a miracle if this stuff fits in one car.
"Do I need to rent a truck? Can I put this in storage? Someone help me lift this, I have noodle arms!" Finally time to get everything in the car, you're almost ready to leave. If you're lucky, you will also fit, and actually be able to ride home in that same car.
7. You start to think about who will live in your room next year.
"Who is going to sleep in my bed? Will they keep the room clean?" I hope they make as many fun memories as I did here. I hope they have amazing floor mates to have study sessions with, dance breaks, and that they did not over pack.
