My son graduates from high school this spring, and I’m already planning his college move-in day… 5 months ahead of time.
Why? Well, for starters, because I’m a notorious planner. I NEED to be organized so I don’t feel overwhelmed.
But, it’s also because my son’s college is located on the other side of the country. I want to make sure all of our T’s are crossed and I’s are dotted well in advance so we can enjoy this HUGE milestone.
I’ve interviewed every parent and college student I know for their best tips on college move-in day. I’m sure I’m not the only one preparing to send a kid to college, so I’m sharing them with you below. Enjoy!
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1. Plan Ahead for College Move-In Day with a Wish List
I started this tip months ago before we even knew which university my son would attend. Just make a list of everything you’ll need to purchase for freshman year.
You can write your list on paper, start a spreadsheet, or use a shopping website like Amazon or Target.
I chose Amazon because I keep a lot of wish lists there. This is a nice option because I can check it to see if items go on sale and buy them ahead of time. I can also send it to relatives who want to support my son with items he needs.
To create a wish list on Amazon:
- Log in to your Amazon account.
- On a computer, hover over “Accounts & Lists.” You’ll see Wish List in the menu.
- On the mobile app, click the profile (person) icon at the bottom of the screen and click “Your Lists” to begin.
Add College Essentials to Your Wish List
Not sure where to start? My Ultimate Packing List for College
has a comprehensive list of college essentials.
It even features a downloadable checklist to help you as you pack!
2. Get Measurements of Your Dorm Room
This is very important. Before you buy or pack ANYTHING, do your best to get the measurements of your:
- Entire dorm room length and width
- Bed (including space underneath, with and without risers or loft)
- Desk
- Dresser
- Closet
You may be able to find this information in the housing section of your college’s website. You can also check forums or Facebook groups for your college or ask your roommate(s) if they took measurements when they visited.
3. Communicate With Your Roommates About Dorm Items
It’s always a good idea to get in touch with your roommate(s) well before college move-in day. You can discuss who will bring items like a TV, video game system, coffee maker, etc. This prevents you from bringing duplicate items you don’t need.
4. Plan Your Dorm Room Space Ahead of Time
My son’s girlfriend moved into college last fall. She planned every inch of her dorm room space, and as you can see she did a GREAT job!
It really helps to plan ahead and decide if you’ll raise your bed (which allows for all kinds of storage), and where you’ll put your desk, refrigerator, etc.
Check out 30 Dorm Storage Ideas for more ways to plan and organize your dorm room!
Pinterest and Instagram also offer great inspiration for how you might design your space.
5. Pick an Early Move-In Time
Move-in day is NUTS. If you can choose an early time, TAKE IT.
This will help you avoid the crowds and get settled and unpacked quickly. You may also have the opportunity to choose the side of the room you prefer, if you arrive before your roommate.
6. Wash New Towels and Bedding Before Packing
You’ll probably purchase a bedding set and towels before you move in. Wash everything before you pack, because you won’t have time when you arrive.
You’ll want to make up your bed and unpack your clothes and toiletries as soon as you arrive at the dorm. Make sure they’re clean ahead of time!
7. Vacuum Seal All Soft Items in Storage Bags
I got this great tip from my friend who moved her son across the country.
After washing all of his clothing and bedding and towels, she packed them in vacuum storage bags. This saved her SO MUCH space, especially since they were checking bags on a plane.
Keep everything organized by categorizing what goes in each storage bag. Have a bag for:
- Towels
- Bedding
- Tops
- Bottoms
- Pajamas, Underwear and Socks
8. Pack Items in Extra Large Moving Bags
Another great tip from my friend: she placed all of her son’s clothes, bedding, towels and small dorm items in zippered, heavy-duty shopping bags. They come with backpack AND handle straps.
Southwest Airlines allows two checked bags free per person, so I plan to use these bags when we fly to Georgia in August.
These also work great for travel by car. They easily stack in a trunk. After move-in, they can be neatly folded up and stored without taking up much space.
9. Group Clothes on Hangers and Cover With a Garbage Bag
If you’re not traveling by plane, you can also enclose clothes on hangers in garbage bags.
Just stack a set of clothes on your bed, slide a garbage bag over the stack (from the top down) and push the hanger hook through the top.
Tie the garbage bag at the bottom and you’re good to go! This protects your clothes during travel and enables you to just grab the hangers from the bag and hang in your dorm closet.
Easy, peasy.
10. Have Large Items Shipped to a Local Store
Since my family is flying, we will have large dorm room items shipped to the local Target or Walmart. Both stores will hold items for a number of days so you can pick them up when you arrive for college move-in.
This is a good option for delicate or bulky items like TVs, coffee makers, storage carts, etc.
11. Buy a Laundry Hamper with a Mesh Bag Liner
My friend gave me this tip:
Get a collapsible, lidded laundry hamper with a mesh liner bag. When it’s time to do laundry, just grab the mesh bag and throw it (with all the clothes) into the washing machine.
If you wash your clothes in cold water, you won’t need to separate colors and whites.
The lidded outer hamper keeps dirty clothes from stinking up the dorm room. And, the mesh bag protects your clothes from getting snagged (and socks from getting lost).
12. Place College Move-In Tools in a Bag or Bin for Easy Access
You’ll need some tools and supplies handy when you arrive at your dorm room. Keep them in their own bag or bin so you can find them easily:
- Rubber mallet for raising or lofting your bed
- Zip ties for securing cords and cables
- Disinfecting wipes
- Variety of Command hooks
- Trash bags
- Scissors
13. Bring Surge Protectors and Plenty of Charging Cables
You’ll have a lot of electronics to plug in or charge, and probably not enough outlets. Be sure to buy a surge protector or two and charging cables for your bed or desk area.
14. Consider Bringing Your Own Cart or Moving Dolly
Most schools provide carts on college move-in day, but they’ll be in high demand. To ensure you can move your items from the car quickly and easily, you can bring your own cart.
This space-saving option collapses for easy transport in the car, and comes with elastic straps to secure your belongings:
15. Ship Items Directly to Your Dorm
Find out if your college allows you to ship dorm room items to the residence hall ahead of time. If so, you can save yourself several trips from the car to the dorm this way.
16. Store Jewelry and Accessories in a Travel Organizer
Love this idea from my son’s girlfriend. Protect your jewelry and accessories during travel AND have an instant storage solution with a travel jewelry organizer.
17. Put Hooks on the Back of Your Dorm Room Door
Use those Command hooks or a set of over-the-door hooks as seen above. They’ll provide easy storage for towels and bath supplies, so you can grab them on the way to the shower.
18. Pack Dorm Room Items in Labeled Storage Bins
No need to pack, unpack and re-pack items in dorm storage bins on college move-in day. You can get organized ahead of time!
Pack items like clothes, toiletries, blankets and shoes in labeled storage bins before you leave home. Then just place the already-organized bins in their proper place when you get to the dorm.
You’ll save so much time!
19. Bring a Fan and Air Purifier for College Move-In Day
Many college students will be moving into their dorms in August. It’ll be hot. Not all dorm rooms have air conditioning.
I highly recommend bringing a fan and air purifier with you on move-in day. The fan will keep the air moving, and the purifier will help remove any allergens from the air. You’ll breathe much easier!
20. Put a Rolling Cart in Your Dorm Room
In the picture from tip #19, you can see a white storage cart in the corner of the room. These carts are SO versatile! They offer extra storage and can squeeze into small spaces between the bed and the wall, or the bed and desk.
21. Bring Adjustable Bed Risers
Dorm risers give you a few more inches of storage space beneath the bed. I recommend a set of adjustable risers with built-in USB ports and AC outlet. (You can never have too many outlets or charging ports!)
It’ll be much easier to put these on your dorm bed before you finish setting it up, so bring them on move-in day.
22. Pack Snacks and Drinks
College move-in day is LONG and tiring. Bring energizing snacks and water to keep you going! (You can pack them in a storage bin to be used throughout the year, too.)
23. Keep Your Personal Documents Close at Hand
Don’t pack away your driver’s license, medical insurance card, proof of vaccination or any other important documents.
Keep them close at hand in your wallet, purse or backpack. You may need them when you arrive on campus.
24. Don’t Overpack Clothing
As you can see from the picture above, dorm closets are SMALL. Do not bring more clothes than you need. You simply won’t have room for your entire wardrobe.
Think about what you wear on a daily basis. Bring enough comfortable, casual clothes to last around 2 weeks, plus one dressy outfit for a formal occasion.
One professional outfit is a good idea for interviews or meetings where you want to look your best.
25. Use a Hanging Shoe Organizer
I love this storage hack! My son’s girlfriend hooked a shoe organizer on the side of her dorm closet. This freed up precious storage space inside the closet and gave her instant access to all of her shoes.
You can use hanging shoe organizers for much more than shoes, too. They are perfect for storing toiletries, cosmetics, hair care products, styling tools, water bottles and more.
26. Bring a Mirror
Notice the lovely mirror in the picture from tip #25?
Every dorm room needs a mirror for last-minute fit checks and touch-ups. You don’t want to run to the bathroom every time you need to fix your hair. Bring either a desktop mirror or a full-length mirror you can hang or lean against the wall.
27. Pack a Waterproof Mattress Cover and a Mattress Topper
Dorm mattresses absolutely require a waterproof mattress cover. This acts as a barrier between you and any allergens or germs in the mattress.
Add a mattress topper to ensure you sleep soundly and comfortably all night. Don’t forget – size Twin XL!
28. Disinfect All Surfaces Before Unpacking
Remember those disinfectant wipes and trash bags? Whip those babies out before you do anything else, and wipe down your bed frame, desk, closet and any other surfaces.
29. Be Social and Meet Your Neighbors
Prop your dorm room door open while you unpack so you can pop your head out and meet your fellow freshmen! Everyone will be feeling a bit nervous, so go ahead and break the ice.
These students will become your family over the course of the year.
30. Take Pictures and Video of Your Big Day
Your college move-in day is a HUGE milestone in your life! In all the hustle and bustle, try to remember to capture these important moments with a video and photos. You’ll be so happy you did.
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Last update on 2024-09-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
