College move in day is approaching and especially as an incoming freshman, you want to make the most of this special day!
In this post, I will share 15 Tips for College move in day and some advice that I can give you from my own move in day a couple months ago.
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15 College move in day tips!
1. Know room measurements
It can be very beneficial to know the measurements of your dorm room furniture, so make sure to look on your university’s website for the measurements.
Knowing that will help you determine what to bring and to bring the correct sizes, especially for bed sheets.
2. Arrive on time
Move in day slots are very strictly organized and it’s important for you to be there on time, to make it easier for yourself as well as other students.
That means, if the college is far from your home and your time slot is 10 am, maybe consider getting to the town the day before and stay the night so you can have a fresh start and be on time.
3. Have a schedule
Knowing a rough schedule for the day is very important, because you don’t want to miss any mandatory events or the time to get your student ID.
Know where (and when) to go to pick up your ID, approximately where your dorm is on campus (or off campus), and make a list of the events you need to attend or would like to attend.
Having that written down will make it even easier for you to stay on track and be on time everywhere you need to go.
4. Clean the room before moving in
This step is important because you don’t want to bring all your stuff in and then realize that something is dirty or broken.
That’s why you should always assess a room and maybe clean a few things a little more before you get all your stuff in it.
Deep cleaning will probably not be necessary, but make sure to check if everything is working properly.
5. Bring tools and supplies
Don’t forget to bring tools for the things you brought.
Common items that students forget include a hammer, tape, scissors, a knife to open cardboard boxes, command hooks, all-purpose cleaner, or wipes.
Even if you don’t need all of those supplies during the year, if your parents help you to move in, it can be a good idea to bring a few tools to avoid having to buy them.
6. Pack smart
By pack smart, I mean to think about what you need first when you unpack your car (or suitcase).
So when you pack up your car, make sure to put in the small things first, such as decor or anything you don’t need first.
Then, lastly, pack the bigger things such as any bed supplies or even furniture, since you need those things first in your room.
Also, make sure to take boxes that are easy to carry up stairs if there is no elevator. If you’re moving in by yourself, then bring boxes or bags that can be easily stored in small places or bags that you will use.
Need a detailed packing list with everything listed, that you can check off? Check out this packing list printable!
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7. Pack clothes for a day
You may think you don’t need this, but moving in can sometimes take longer than a day.
Your clothes might not be the first thing you unpack either, so you’ll be happy to have a ready-to-go outfit picked out that you can wear the next day.
8. Think about food
Move in day is packed with so much to do and so many events, that it is easy to forget about eating lunch and dinner.
Take a break during unpacking and go out to get some food. (PS: You’ll have enough time to eat campus food, so many opt for something different).
9. Wait with buying certain things
Personally, I was glad that I didn’t bring everything that I wanted at first. One, it would not have fit in my suitcases, and second, my roommate already had so many things that I could occasionally use.
Things that you might want to wait with buying are a microwave, mini fridge, hair styling tools (unless you use them every day), a rug, or lamps.
If you discover that you do need or want those things, you can always order them or get them from home (depending how far you live of course).
10. Wear good shoes
When some people give college move in day tips, they say to wear comfy clothes, etc.
That might be good for some people, but I personally don’t feel productive when I wear sweatpants, and it also might not be the best impression when you go to the move in day events on campus.
But, I do suggest you to wear comfortable shoes. You don’t want to be wearing high heels to carry 100 boxes up and down to your dorm room.
11. Talk to your roommate before!
Not just to figure out what to pack, that only one is enough of, but also to talk about when you both are moving in, what bed you want, and more.
Communication is key, and you want to start your relationship on a good groundwork for the year!
12. Leave your door open
Leave your door open and talk to people you meet on your floor on college move in day.
Who knows, those people might become your best friends? Keep an open mind (and door) and be friendly to everyone.
When you’re done, you could even see if anyone else needs help with moving in.
13. Don’t forget documents
Make sure that you take your insurance, car documents, passport, vaccination report, or whatever else you need with you.
Technically, you are moving out of your home, so don’t forget the important documents that you might need.
14. Only pack for the season
If you know you’ll go home for Christmas, use that opportunity to switch your wardrobe to spring.
With that being said, make sure to only pack what you need for the fall semester and save yourself some space in your car, as well as your dorm room.
Also, if you’ll be taking business classes that require business casual attire for presentations, make sure to bring clothes that you can wear for those events. As well as any formals you might have from your sorority.
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15. Have fun!
And lastly: Have fun! This is your first move in day after all (or maybe second or third, doesn’t matter), so you want to enjoy this and be excited for everything that you’ll experience in this new stage of your life!
That’s it!
Those were my 15 Tips for college move in day. Which one have you never heard of? I hope they help you plan your move in day a little better.
Need ideas on how to decorate your dorm room? Here are 10 cute dorm room ideas to copy!
Until soon,
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