Looking for college move-in day tips and hacks?
The big day has finally arrived, you get to move into your college dorm room!
As exciting and as anticipated as this day might be, it can also be incredibly stressful and emotional.
There is so much to get done, and between moving boxes, unpacking into your dorm room, and saying goodbye to your parents, it can get overwhelming.
It really does pay off to be prepared. Don’t expect to just show up with your boxes and for the day to go smoothly.
College move-in day can be both stressful and exciting. I have moved in and out of college dorms/apartments, more times than I can count and towards the end became a semi-professional mover (after making plenty of rookie mistakes).
So I have compiled a list of my best college packing and moving tips so you don’t go through the same headaches that I did my first semester.
So I have compiled a list of my absolute best tips for college move in day that will make the day less stressful and easier to get through..
College Move-In Day
Start Packing Early
The earlier you pack the better!
I typically start packing a week in advance so I have a very clear idea of what I’m missing.
Sometimes you think you don’t need to buy anything, but the truth is, you probably don’t have much.
Unless your mom is willing to give you her vacuum and other dorm essentials, you’ll likely notice you need to go shopping ASAP.
Have Your Information Ready
You cannot just walk into your dorm room when you arrive. You are more than likely going to have to fill in some paperwork to obtain your keys and access cards.
Don’t waste your time, and theirs, by digging around for ages looking for your personal information. Have that all ready in a folder for when you get there. This first step can be the deciding factor for how the rest of the day will go!
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Moving day is not the day to show off your best clothing. Moving is far from glamorous, and nobody will care if you are wearing your most comfortable tights and a baggy shirt. There is nothing worse than wearing clothes that aren’t suitable for moving.
Avoid wearing flip flops as well, and opt for a comfortable pair of sneakers. You might have to tackle the staircase a couple of times, and you might land up dropping a couple of items on your toe! The more protection and comfort the better.
Choose The Right Time To Move In
Your college will probably give you a schedule on when you can move in, and this usually depends on what floor you live on.
Always stick to this schedule. Don’t show up hours early, and don’t show up hours late. Get there a few minutes before your scheduled time to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
The scheduled time is more recommended than enforced, but out of consideration for everyone else, and to make sure everything runs to plan, it is better to stick to the schedule. The organizers have done this many times before, so they would know what works best.
Arrive Before Your Roommate
This is another great reason why you should try to arrive slightly early – to get to the dorm before your roommate.
This allows you to choose which side of the room you want to be on, and you get the whole room to yourself while you move in, without having to maneuver around your roommate and their things.
It might sound like a bad start deciding which side you want first, but it is fair enough if you got to the dorm early to pick out your favorite side!
Pack Smart Beforehand
How you pack has a huge impact on how you move and unpack. You need to ensure that you pack all of your items smartly.
Avoid the temptation of just throwing all your items into a big old box or suitcase. This will only lead to you spending much more time than you need to sorting stuff out and refolding clothes. It can also lead to items getting damaged.
Organize your stuff neatly and orderly, in a way that makes it easy to unpack. Pack shirts together, pants separately, etc.
You want to be able to pick stuff out of boxes and just place them exactly where they need to be without too much sorting.
Leave Your Clothes On Hangers
This little packing hack will save you SO much time.
If you aren’t moving cross-country, you can simply take the clothes you want on a hanger and put a trash bag over them. Poke a hole in the top of the bag with the hanger hooks.
Once on campus, you just hang the clothes back up and remove the bag. Literally two seconds!
Don't Bring Everything On The First Day
Try not to buy heavier, bulky items before moving in. If you do, you will have to move them in and unpack them on moving day, and this just makes for more work.
A great idea is to order these items for delivery only once you have moved in. This is also such a good idea because you will better understand what you do and don’t need, and how much more you can fit into your dorm room.
This goes for items such as kitchen pots and pans and any larger furniture. You can either order this when you move in or one or two days before so that there is not such a big delay from when you arrive.
Use Storage Tubs
Get some storage tubs with lids and use them instead of carboard boxes.
They double as storage bings in college and you can place them underneath your bed or closet if there is enough room.
The benefit of storage tubs is they’re much easier to carry and nothing get’s squished or broken.
DO Bring Some Food ALong
Moving in will take some time, and you will probably be starving halfway through. Bring some healthy snacks to keep you and your family going. It will take hours before you are done, and the snacks will go down well.
Make sure to have water ready at all times. You don’t realize how much walking and lifting you do when moving, and your body will need the hydration. It is also worth ordering in for the first night, as you might be too tired to cook for yourself!
Help others IF yOu Can
If you did manage to get to the dorm before your roommate and have your stuff set up before them, it is always good to help them move in.
This not only makes life a little easier for them, but it helps you two become friendlier from day one. You need to be on good terms with the person you will be living with for the next few months!
They might also then be more willing to help you out if you ever need it.
Disinfect Everything!
You never know how clean or dirty the last person was!
And don’t expect your campus to have cleaned thoroughly after they moved out.
Make sure you wipe down all the sinks, tables, chairs, microwave, literally everything!
Grab some disinfecting wipes and start scrubbing it all.
Don't Hide Away In Your Dorm
As tempting as it might be to sit in your room on your first day, fight off the urge to do so. Everyone will be in the same boat as you, and everyone will be looking to make new acquaintances.
Take a walk around the passageway and the halls and say hi to a few people on the way. Most people are incredibly friendly around freshman residents, and you might make a few new friends on the first day!
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