❀ College Countdown: Day 2 ❀

Transportation to the School

This one is going to be pretty short and sweet: by now, you need to know how you and all of your belongings are getting to school. Today, be sure to know exactly: 

- How to get to school & What you're using (GPS, Print out map, your parents already know the route, etc)

- What time you and your family are leaving the house

- What car you're using

- How many people are going along with you

My situation is pretty poopy (there's really no other way to describe it). 

Both of my parents and both of my siblings are coming along and we only have 1 old minivan and 1 old Toyota Camry. With that being said, neither of our cars will be able to make the 2.5 hour drive nor do either have enough room unless it was just my mom and myself going.

What my parents did was rent a minivan from Enterprise -- and this was probably THE smartest thing ever. We got to pick out specifically which minivan we wanted and we got to bring some of my things to see if it would actually fit. Now, we'll be able to fit all of my things and my family members into one single car (they have a one car per family rule for move in). 

If you're looking to rent a car, I would highly suggest it. Our total came up to around $350 for the entire weekend: insurance and one full tank of gas included. However, I live in an area where things are really expensive compared to other places, so I'm sure if you're not from a commonwealth, it would be a lot less expensive!

❀ College Countdown: Day 4 ❀

Packing Up Your Makeup

If you're like me, makeup is going to be a pretty important part of your packing process.

My makeup is my life, and I want it to get down to school with me safely. I've been pondering for days about how I'm going to pack it all, and I thought up of some little tips that'll help.

1. For palettes: wrap them in the towels you're going to bring and place it on top of your clothes in your suitcase or duffel bag. If you're worried about any powder spilling or breaking, tape the palettes shut with some packing tape. (I also did this with all glassware I'm bringing down)

2. Make use of those small 3-drawer containers you can get from The Container Store or Target. Fill all compartments up with as much makeup as you can and then tape it up with packing tape so the little drawers don't slide in and out. I'm putting this in my duffel bag because there was enough empty space. 

3. Also use designer boxes to pack makeup items such as single eyeshadow pots or blushes/bronzers.

4. It really never is too early to start packing. Think about the things you want to bring for sure and the things you can definitely leave behind. Once you categorize those, think about how much makeup you put on daily -- put aside the makeup you use regularly and pack up things you don't use often but want to bring along.

5. Remember to throw out all of your very old, "expired" cosmetics. Remember, mascaras should be used for about 3 months, so if you've been using the same one since April -- it's time to get a new tube.

6. Think about all the little spaces in your duffel bags. your clothes will be able to cushion some of the loose cosmetics you don't have room elsewhere for.

7. For your essential everyday makeup, keep all those products in a makeup bag and DON'T pack that bag. You'll regret it in the morning when you want to freshen up your face. Instead, just leave it where you normally do your makeup and then pack it into your purse or backpack before you hit the road.

8. It's up to YOU to decide how much makeup you bring. Don't listen to others and think there's a set amount you should bring. Really think about your habits -- do you have one set routine? Do you like to spice it up a bit every now and then? What products do you use the most of? (those are the ones you should stock up on)

9. DO NOT PACK YOUR BRUSHES IN A SINGLE BAG. It's going to be hot, and you seriously do not want those brushes to be squished in a bag. The bristles will morph into strange shapes. Instead, try to find a makeup brush carrier that has compartments for each individual brush. Or, place everything in a sturdy plastic container. This will prevent your brushes from getting squished when packed. 

That's only a very temporary home for my razor.

10. Be sure to give your brushes a very nice cleaning and disinfecting before you pack them up! (Do this two days prior so there's a 24 hr period for them to completely dry).

Recipe for homemade brush cleaner: (I couldn't find the original link -- but it's a very popular recipe)

1 cup warm water

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 tablespoon dish soap

Combine these ingredients. Swirl each brush in the mixture (this is my favorite part because it's so cool and disgusting how much makeup remains on these brushes). After each brush is swirled, I like to make another batch but double the ingredients and let the brushes soak for 20 minutes to disinfect them. Rinse thoroughly and re-shape the bristles. Lightly towel dry and let them dry for 24 hours on an incline or facing down onto a towel.

11. Place all the makeup you're leaving behind in a small container and leave it in a nice and dry place -- your closet's top shelf will be the best option for storage. 

❀ College Countdown: Day 5 ❀

Packing Up Your Room ☹

This must be probably one of the most depressing parts of packing up for college. 

You're cleaning up your room and packing it all up, by the time you're done it's going to look like one of those catalog pictures you see from Macy's.

But, you have to do it eventually. And I'm here to help!

1. Clear out everything you will not need anymore. EVERYTHING.
2. Trash bags are going to be your best friends during this process.
3. Box things up, but then put it all in your closet instead of lying them around your room. Even though you're not going to be living in it, try to make it look somewhat nice and presentable.
4. If you share a room (like me), really think of your sibling when you pack up. You may HATE sharing a room with them and you're probably jumping off the walls about the thought of moving out. However, your sibling is probably feeling the same way. They've waited their whole life for this moment and to be able to finally call it their room. Definitely talk to your sibling and ask them where they want your stuff to be stored and how. I've been doing this with my sister since the beginning of summer and it has seriously helped and she hasn't picked any fights. 
5. If your parents plan on using your room for something else: definitely talk to them as well. Ask them: Where do you want me to store the clothes I'm leaving behind? What will happen to ....? Should I take down my decorations? etc. etc.
6. Seriously, this is not the time that you want to be picking fights with family members. You're an adult now, and you're going to college. If they tell you to pack your room a certain way, and you don't like it, just tell them. Ask if you can put some of your input into it.
7. Make sure you put ALL important documents that you have to keep at home in a folder and then either give it to your parents to hold onto or keep them somewhere tucked safely that is not in plain sight.
8. Spritz your favorite body mist or perfume over your bed before leaving. If your mom or dad is the kind of person that will go into your room when they miss you, it'll be really nice for them to smell your scent (that sounded really creepy, but you know what I mean).
9. Lastly, be sure to thank your parents for everything they provide for you. Your room wouldn't be what it is without them, and you would definitely not be able to go to college without all of their support throughout these last 18 years.

❀ College Countdown: Day 6 ❀

Packing What You Can and Designating a Spot for it All

Six more days! This is really getting exciting! But I know that everyone is freaking out about packing and getting everything that they need. 

So I'm here to give you a couple of tips on packing and finding a place in your house where you can keep everything until it's time to pack the car. This will be in a list style so it's much easier and gets straight to the point. As you can tell, I'm just as busy as you guys, and I'm really sorry these posts aren't as detailed as they can be. But, I am trying my best to give you guys the points I'm trying to make! Plus, I know you all do not have limitless time to be able to read the whole thing.

1. Start packing now! DO NOT procrastinate on packing the big things, especially items that were bought specifically for your dorm. Shower caddies, sheets and decorations don't have to be spread all over your room right now. Work with the items and try to pack them as compactly as you can.
2. Be sure to label your boxes/bins, write lists, type out a Word document, etc. It'll help you stay organized and know where everything is when packing.
3. Before packing linens, wash them! They most likely smell like the plastic wrapper that they're packaged in. Plus, for some people (like me), new and unwashed linens can really irritate skin. What can be worse than getting a rash from your new comforter set the FIRST night you use it?
4. When picking a place to keep everything during the packing/pre-college time period, keep a few things in mind.

a. Make sure it's not in a place that will get in your family members' way

b. If you have an empty coat closet -- that's the perfect place! It'll also give you an idea of the available space in the car. If everything can't fit into a single coat closet, you're bringing way too many things or the items you're bringing are pretty bulky.

c. The garage is always the best bet -- especially when it comes time to pack up the car.

Here are some pictures of my "haul" pile (keep in mind, I am a girl and I need a lot of things...)

All of my "bigger" dorm items. From left to right: food items and some containers (Ikea bag), bedding (Ikea bed), bath items/decorations (Hefty Bin), kitchen appliances/decorations/desk items (Hefty Bin), Hangers, Duvet, Shampoos/Laundry detergent/cleaning items (Crate). 

Other than this, I only have two duffel bags of clothes, shoes and makeup plus my backpack. 

The little corner in the back of my living room where I was allowed to keep all of my things. 

I'm proud to say that's all I'm bringing, and I'm completely done shopping!

❀ 7 Day College Countdown Series ❀

PSA: I am moving into my dorm on August 17th

(which is NINE days away!)

In the wake of this very monumental and important day of my life (oh gosh, I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it), I'm going to be starting this new series: The 7 Day College Countdown. 

Now, this series is pretty popular on YouTube. However, I feel as though it's lacking a lot of the information and experience that I wanted to see. Experience as in, I want to see people packing up instead of them just talking about packing in front of a camera.

That is why, I've decided to start my own, but through a blog and pictures instead!

The series will officially start on Saturday, August 10th!

If you're an incoming freshman like me, I KNOW you're very excited, but you also need some advice about several things as well.

I will try to the best of my knowledge to deliver tips & tricks about this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Though I am still thinking through what to say and take pictures of, I have created a schedule of this series. This can help if you only want to read the entry of certain days.

Day 7: Last Minute Checklists & Breaking Out That Agenda

Day 6: Packing What You Can Now & Designating a Spot for Your Haul Pile

Day 5: Packing Up Your Room ☹

Day 4: Pack Up Your Makeup

Day 3: Laundry Day & Space Saving Bags

Day 2: Transportation to the School

Day 1: Final Checkmarks & Packing the Car

Anyways, that's about all I can write about until the actual series can start! I hope all of you fellow incoming freshmen are just excited as me about starting this new chapter in your life! And I hope your parents are handling it well as well.