Kind of dumb question. I am as prepared to move my d into dorm, thanks to all the helpful suggestions. Question: My daughter is on the 3rd floor with no elevators. We have curbside unloading- close to dorm. My question is will a dollie be more of a hinderance than a help if it has to go up stairs with everyone else waiting to go up stairs. I can only visualize even with curbside, there has to be a lot of people with stuff trying to use the stairs. I would like any suggestions or insight to how hard OR easy this is, in general.
On behalf of all the students trying to get up the stairs behind you, please do not try to use the dolly.
I tried using a dolly my son’s first year with a fridge and it didn’t go well. I stopped after a few steps and now know why I’ve never seen anyone else using a dolly.
Hand trucks are okay for a couple of steps. I cannot imagine dragging one up 3 stories!
There are hand trucks that are designed for working on stairs, they have skids on them that kind of allow sliding up the stairs (if that makes sense), I have one like that at home. That said, I suspect carrying anything heavy up three flights of stairs might be a bit much for a hand truck like that. To be honest, what kind of heavy thing are you bringing up? a small refrigerator for example is not that much a big deal, and if the idea is to get as much upstairs at once, then you would be better breaking it up into smaller loads and taking them up. Especially with books, it is better to do more trips then try and lug it up at once:)
Your questions didn’t require 3 separate threads. Let’s just say students at this school do this every year successfully. While things are busy and sometimes congested it gets done for all new students every year. Sure if you have some heavy things and a cart to get things to the dorm door go for it. Many schools provide carts though they can be in short supply. Don’t overthink and over worry about this. It’s your first time but tens or hundreds of thousands of families do this successfully every year.
Ask for help from the dozens of strong strapping young men also moving in to the dorm!
Freshman year, youngest was in a nice dorm with cathedral ceilings, overlooking the wooded campus.
It was on the top floor of a four story building( no elevators). She had a small fridge, to take up, it still was very bulky and heavy, and we were standing there looking at it, when some nice young men asked if they could help. While they did blanch a bit, when they heard she was on the top floor, they gamely carried it up, and even stuck around to see if any more help was needed.
Just remember, anything that goes in, will eventually need to come out.
As I mentioned on the other thread, remember anything you bring in, you will have to bring out again!
Especially when you live close enough that they ask for another box of books here, and a box of winter clothes there, by springtime, it may be quite a bit.
My husband is not familiar with any of this AT ALL and not patient at all. He thinks we will carry a few bins to her room and set stuff into place and be on our way home. (slight exaggeration). I don’t want to not include him as this is our only d that has went to college away from home. I am not ale to carry anything, so we need him.
Moving into college can be stressful, as others have mentioned, there are people around to help.
If husband is likely to increase stress level, it might be better to have him out shopping for things that were forgotten for a bit.
I see that your daughter will be less than an hour away, in which case I really want to emphasize, don’t bring too much stuff, you can always bring it later if needed.
I haven’t read your other threads, so this might have been said already. Many schools have teams of returning students representing different clubs or Greek life etc. that are waiting to help you at move in. Check if your school has that going on, it might put your mind at ease.
I agree with the OP that it’s better to be prepared for what is always a chaotic process. In general, there is usually help around but if you can’t lift, consider having your D pack things in smaller boxes or rubbermaid containers so that no one is lifting too much alone. An old CC thread recommended a sturdy hand cart from Amazon and a few bungee cords. That will allow you to get D’s things from car to ground floor of dorm more easily if the bigger move-in “laundry” carts are in short supply.
What are you taking that is so heavy you can’t lift it yourself with help,from one other person? Pack boxes and the like lightly…just don’t take anything you can’t carry yourself.
Bringing the dolly was to carry several bins/boxes at once, thus saving trips. I have a disability and cannot carry anything but something small or light. Just trying to keep my husband from losing patience. I am just trying to keep the move in process a pleasant one for all involved.
@pjgertz what about the student? Can the student lift things? If so…that is what should be happening.
As noted, most colleges have upperclassmen who assist with the move in.
My suggestion…pack everything in small boxes that your husband and college student can lift.
Instead of buying your own fridge, you should see if the school offers rentals with delivery. Failing that, just be prepared to wave around a couple $20’s at a couple of likely-looking guys to see if they’ll haul the fridge for you.
He’s right.
You can even leave without helping the student to put stuff away unless your kid’s stuff is totally blocking the floor, in which case you probably should help put it away so that it won’t prevent your kid’s roommate from moving in.
You probably won’t even need to help him haul those bins to his room. The school “Sherpas” will do that.
If I remember correctly, we carried almost nothing up the stairs to D’s room. Other students did all that. We did help unpack, but there was plenty of help once we arrived on campus to get her stuff from the car to her room. The hard part was driving away and leaving her there after everything was done!