Checklist: Before You Leave for School in the Fall

If you are going away for school in the fall, and you will be living on campus, there are some things that you will need to be sure to do before you go. Here is a short checklist to help you get everything done in time.

* Pack everything you're taking with you. I know the start of fall semester seems so far away, but be sure you start packing NOW. You can start with the stuff you won't be needing over the summer, such as books and winter clothes you plan on taking with you. You can pick up moving supplies such as boxes and packing tape at most self storage facilities, or at discount stores such as Target and Wal-Mart. Additionally, you might be able to find boxes for free by asking around at local businesses.

* Make sure you are registered for classes and your tuition is paid. You should have registered for all your fall classes in the spring, but if you haven't nailed down the details just yet, be sure to do so now. Also, be sure the tuition gets paid before you leave, so that you have one less thing to think about in the week or so leading up to the beginning of the semester.

* Make your living arrangements. If you are staying in the dorm, that should be included in the tuition bill, though you probably won't find out about your room — or roommates — until shortly before the semester starts. If you aren't staying in the dorm, be on the lookout for apartments, ads seeking roommates, whatever, so that you have a place to move into when the semester starts!

* Get your books and supplies early if possible. Certainly, you can go shopping now for things such as pens, notebooks, paper, and perhaps even a new laptop and printer. But if you can find out before the semester starts what books you will need for your classes, this will give you a chance to purchase the books online for a better price than what you'll find in the campus bookstore.

* Go shopping for anything else you'll need. Decorating your dorm room or first college apartment can be a lot of fun. Summer is your opportunity to shop for things such as bedding, organizers, furniture, and electronics.

Going away to school is an exciting time, but it can also be super stressful — especially if you leave everything for the last minute. By completing this checklist over the summer, you will have most of the major things out of the way, so that you can move in quickly, get settled in, and enjoy the beginning of the new school year!