moving out of your dorm: time to declutter

At the end of each school year, many college students pack up their dorm rooms and head back home for summer break. This is an opportune time to get rid of items that are no longer needed. Here are ways to easily get rid of unwanted items.

Sell your stuff online. If you would like to make a little extra cash while you declutter, consider selling your unwanted items online. Just list your items on sites like eBay and Craigslist and wait for the money to roll in. Don't forget to sell back your textbooks as well. Sites such as Amazon.com, Textbooks.com, and Half.com will buy used textbooks.

Donate to charity shops. Donating to charity shops is a great way to get rid of items that you no longer need, while helping others in need at the same time! It's a win-win. Fill a plastic bag with gently-used clothes or shoes that you will never wear again and take it to a local charity shop.

Donate to local schools. Public school systems are always in need of certain items including:

• Folders
• Notebooks
• Binders
• Pencils
• Pens
• Markers
• Paint Supplies
• Rulers
• Etc.

If you have any of the above-listed items that you no longer want, donate them to a local school in your area.

Give to friends/students. While you are packing up your belongings, ask friends and other students around campus if they want/need any of your unwanted items. With resident advisor permission, fill a box labeled "free" and set it outside your dorm room so other students can pick and choose among your unwanted items. After all, one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Recycle. Many student dorm officers will set up various recycle bins at the end of each school year. Take advantage of these bins. Those clothing items that are too worn out to donate to charity shops can be put in recycle bins. Go through all of your notes, exams, etc. and recycle the papers that you no longer need.

Taking the time to get rid of unwanted items will make packing and moving home for the summer a much easier process. Have a relaxing and clutter-free summer break!