You’ve survived the final year of school, the exams, and the intense college application process. Congratulations! Move-in day is finally here.
As exciting as this new life phase is, it will also make you feel a little bit uneasy. Living away from home for the first time gives you freedom but also responsibilities. To be fully prepared, you need to know what to bring to the college dorm and what to expect on move-in day.
A packing list is a nice start that will give you the essentials to make college life easier.
To make the most of the college move-in day, however, you can also count on a couple of additional steps and hacks that will reduce the stress and get you enjoying your new life right off the bat.
Tips for Move-In Day College Students Need to Know
As an incoming freshman, you will experience some stress during move-in day. The more you prepare in advance, however, the smoother the process is going to be.
Additional Reading: Come up with a college prep timeline to significantly reduce stress during the move-in day.
Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Move-In Process
Giving yourself enough time to pack for college is the key to a stress-free experience. The sooner you start planning your new college life, the easier you’ll find it to get ready.
Come up with a list of essentials that you absolutely must have. It’s also a good idea to check with the college about items you may not be allowed to bring to the dorm. As a general rule of thumb, items like extension cords, space heaters, furniture, and cooking appliances aren’t allowed in most dorms. The same applies to pets.
College students moving away from home should have a bag of essentials packed separately from everything else. A first aid kit (including medicines you need regularly), toiletries, cleaning supplies, and documents should be readily available. Everything else can be packed neatly in boxes and labeled, allowing you to organize the move-in effortlessly.
Additional Reading: You might also want to check out our 5 Unique High School Graduation Party Ideas to Celebrate Your Grad in Style.
Timing is Everything: Arrive Early, but Not Too Early
Planning the right arrival and check-in time can significantly reduce stress.
It’s your first experience away from home, so planning ahead of time may be difficult. If you need some guidance, ask your parents or get in touch with college reps.
Resident assistants at the dorm can also provide valuable information about the amount of time needed to complete processes like checking in, getting dorm keys, and finding your room.
Make sure you also have enough time to say your goodbyes before getting started with campus life.
Making Your Dorm Room Feel Like Home
No matter how cozy and comfortable it is, a dorm room isn’t going to feel like home. Personalizing the space is one of the essentials that will help you feel more at ease.
Family pictures, posters, and souvenirs give you quick and easy opportunities to make the space feel more welcoming.
Some essential items you may want to bring in an attempt to maximize comfort include:
- Comfortable bedding (including a favorite fleece blanket)
- A comfy pillow, decorative pillows, a rug
- Mattress topper
- Wall art
- Fairy lights or any other source of illumination that you enjoy
- Towels and a bathrobe
- Mirror
- Hangers and closet space organizers
- Bulletin board
Additional Reading: This might help too: Mastering the Art of Student Budgeting: Tips for Financial Success.
Meeting Your Roommate and Dorm Neighbors
Moving in isn’t just about organizing and decorating the space. Don’t forget you’ll be living with new people. Meeting new people can be challenging, especially if you’re a more introverted person. Still, making some effort counts (plus you’ll get the opportunity to start new friendships).
Keep an open mind, even if you don’t feel comfortable at first.
Make an effort to connect (at least with your roommate), even if that’s the last thing you want because you’re overwhelmed by the process.
They are probably as nervous as you are. Going through the move together can potentially make things easier for everyone involved, helping you bond over the difficulties that you’re facing.
Be understanding and know you will have to compromise when living with someone. Conflict is an inevitable part of college life. Addressing challenging issues and showing a desire to communicate will go a long way.
College Move-In Day Tips for Parents: How to Support Without Hovering
The move-in process is equally stressful for students and families. In fact, as a parent, you may experience even more anxiety than the baby bird leaving the family nest for the very first time.
Letting go is a difficult task for many parents, surveys suggest. At the same time, giving children the opportunity to be independent and self-sufficient is tremendously important.
If you’re worried about the move-in day process as a parent and you want to help out without turning into a nuisance, the following tips will come in handy:
- Work on a checklist in advance with your child before leaving home
- Start preparing emotionally ahead of time, otherwise you may cause a scene at the moment you drop your child, leaving them embarrassed and mortified
- Arrive on campus on time, giving everyone enough time to get settled, to learn about this new life, and to say goodbye
- If you feel like it, take some photos together but also make sure that you’re present in the moment
- Don’t start unpacking immediately, even if you feel the desperate need to get involved (this is something your child can handle unless they ask for help)
- Have a plan for the future (taking a trip, spending quality time with friends, or starting a new project will all take your mind off the changes and help you cope better).
How to Make the Most of Your Freshman Year Move-In Experience
Heavy lifting, unpacking, and being on schedule aren’t the only essentials to avoid absolute chaos.
Move-in day also gives you opportunities to learn about the challenges and opportunities you’ll face in the coming days.
Once you’ve handled the processes mentioned above, use the opportunity to learn more about your university.
Some of the things you may want to do after moving in include:
- Explore the dorm and familiarize yourself with the available facilities (and the things that are missing and you may have to address later on)
- Get to know the campus, including the places where you can get some food, the study spots, the places where students tend to socialize
- Attend orientation events, even if you don’t feel like going. This is your opportunity to meet student volunteers and other freshmen
- If you need to handle documentation or form submission, do that promptly after completing the move-in
- Shop for some of the items you may have missed when packing.
Additional Reading: A campus tour is a great way to learn more in advance. Check this guide to make the most of the opportunity.
Final Thoughts: Embracing This New Chapter of Your Life
Even a lifetime of knowledge wouldn’t prepare you for a transition as big as moving away from home. Getting used to university housing, however, is only the beginning.
Being a college student marks a new, exciting life chapter. You’re still young and inexperienced, hence the change may feel scary and overwhelming at first.
You will face challenges along the way but these challenges will also bring opportunities. You will become more independent, you’ll mature, and you will feel proud each time you overcome a challenge without parental help.
Change is always scary but it’s also the key to finding new things you enjoy, new skills, and experiences. Embrace this new chapter, even if it’s difficult at first. We promise you that in time, everything will get easier and a whole lot more enjoyable.
Morzep College Coaching: Your Guide to the Best Colleges and a Smooth Transition
If you’re preparing for college or helping your child through the admissions journey, Morzep College Coaching can help!
Our knowledgeable teams will offer expert guidance on choosing the best colleges, completing the application process, and making the college move-in experience as seamless as possible.
Do you have questions about going to college? Contact us now and let us know your biggest struggle. We’ll recommend a personalized strategy to help you overcome this challenge and make the ride smoother.
