Spring Cleaning for Seniors: Declutter your life before graduation

Whether you’re in a dorm or apartment, your space has probably collected a lot of memories over the past four years. Now is the time to start letting go, as sad as it may sound. Think of it as a reset rather than a goodbye and a chance to let go of anything that won’t serve you in the future. 

Here’s how to get organized amidst the chaos of move-out while intentionally planning for the rest of your life! 

Ditch the College Closet 

You know the one—the overflowing drawer or crammed storage bin under your bed filled with old going-out tops and free event t-shirts. After four years, your closet has probably become a mismatched collection of memories. But as you transition into adulthood, you probably don’t need most of it. 

Sort your clothes into three categories: keep, donate, or trash. Be honest with yourself: Have you worn them consistently in the past few months? Does it still fit? Instead, focus on curating a wardrobe with versatile pieces that you wear consistently and get good use out of. 

Coordinate with your roommates

Whether you’re best friends with your roommates or just friendly acquaintances, avoid the awkward “Who owns this?” conversation during move-out. 

Start by setting up a coffee or lunch date with everyone. Then, make a list of shared items—kitchen appliances, cleaning supplies—to determine who is taking what. If no one wants something, consider donating it or selling it and splitting the profit. 

And if you want to get Type-A, make a shared Google Doc to track what has been claimed and packed. 

Curate your furniture and living space

Your college apartment is probably an amalgamation of furniture from your parents’ basement, Facebook Marketplace, or your local Target’s back-to-school sale. As you leave college behind and move into your adult apartment, take inventory of what is worth bringing with you and what is best left behind. 

Don’t be afraid to be ruthless. Do you like it? Will it serve any functional purpose for you or even survive another move? And be realistic. Your first apartment will likely be a smaller, shared space, so don’t keep furniture that probably won’t fit. 

Declutter your digital space

Spring cleaning usually means cleaning your physical space. But digital disorganization is also a big problem, and four years of college means tons of shared drives, emails and documents. 

As soon-to-be graduates, you’ll lose access to your school email and Google Drive a few months after graduation. Start by sorting through class notes, projects, and papers. Keep anything you may need for future reference, like a project or portfolio material. Then, tackle your inbox and unsubscribe from newsletters, student organizations, and promotional emails that now serve no purpose for you. 

Additionally, remember to scan and digitize any paper documents you’ll need for post-grad, such as tax information, medical records, and bank statements.