College Move-in Day: Nine Tips to Help You Prepare

College move-in can be a mix of excitement and nerves. Whether you are a first-generation college student or you’re being moved in by seasoned veterans, it is a special day that can quickly become overwhelming. We have some tips that will help you make move-in day run as smoothly as possible.

Before Move-in

• Create Your List

  Start planning a few weeks in advance. Make a checklist of everything you need to bring and tasks you need to complete. Communicate with your roommate(s) to avoid bringing duplicate items. You probably won’t need multiple microwaves, fridges or TVs.

  Dorm rooms can be a tight fit for two or more people. Find items with hidden storage to optimize your space and maximize your storage. There are some amazing seating and shelving options out there!

• Pack the Wardrobe Essentials

  Before you start to pack your whole closet, ask yourself two questions:

  1. When are you coming home next?
  2. What is the weather on your campus?

  There is no need to pack a winter parka if you are going to college in the south and will be home for Thanksgiving.

  TSL Tip: Keep any clothes you want to hang on the hanger during your move! Use a garment bag or trash bag to protect your clothes. All you will need to do on move-in day is hang them up.

• Cut Down on Moving Boxes

  Instead of buying moving boxes, try packing your dorm essentials in items that you are keeping at school with you. Utilize your backpack, duffel bags, storage ottomans and under-the-bed shelving to transport items during the move. As a rule of thumb, when packing:

  Heavy Items = Store in small bags and boxes

  Light Items = Store in larger bags and boxes

  Fragile Items = Store with soft items like socks, sweatshirts or t-shirts

Move-in Day

• Be Mindful of the Number of Guests

  We completely understand that moving into college is an exciting time! But it’s important to take into consideration that you’re moving into a rather small space. We recommend only having a handful of people to help you on move-in day. Save the friend hangouts for after the heavy lifting.

  If there is anyone else that wants to come but may not be able to help during the actual move-in process, we recommend inviting them to join you on a tour of campus, getting a meal or taking you to the bookstore.

• Wear Comfortable Clothes

  With move-in days primarily in August and September they can get pretty hot. We all want to dress to impress, but there’s a good chance that you’re going to be doing a lot of hanging, unboxing and lifting during move-in. Wear cute attire that will keep you cool and allow you to easily move around.

• Unpack the Essentials First

  Decorating your room is definitely a highlight of moving into your new space, but we recommend putting away the essentials first. Put your clothes in your closet, school supplies in your desk and get other essentials out of the way. This will help you get a good sense of what you might still need for your dorm.

  TSL Tip: Stores like Walmart and Target can be packed during move-in. Divide and conquer! Once you finish unpacking the essentials write a list of things you still need. A few people can stay and set up the dorm while others head to the store for those final touches.

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After Move In

• Tour Campus

  The focus on move-in day can be on unpacking and settling into your new space, but it’s also a great time to get your bearings on your new campus. Spend some time with your family and friends that are helping you move and tour the campus. It can help you build confidence and prepare you for the first few days of school.

• Meet Your Roommates and Neighbors

  Move-in day can be hectic and filled with a mix of emotions. Say hi to neighbors as they’re walking down the hall and remember to spend time talking to your new roommate. It is common to be so focused on leaving your family and home behind that you may forget to embrace the new beginnings in front of you.

• Participate in Welcome Events

  Those first moments on college campus are important to setting the tone. Your campus might host a structured welcome week or offer a selection of events for you to choose to attend. Either way it is up to you to make the most of your experience and explore what your campus has to offer. Check out activity fairs and explore sorority life on your campus. Getting involved is one of the best ways to make your school feel more like home!

College move-in is the start of an amazing journey where you can grow, learn and explore. No matter how you are feeling about college, just remember it takes time (and effort) to make your campus feel like home. You’ve got this!