Tips On Moving To College And The Move In Day

Lots of my friends have kids going to college for the first time this year. Most parents are sad, anxious and excited all at once.  As most moms know, planning for your kid’s big move to college can be an emotional and stressful time for both parent and child. This is especially true when preparing your finances to pay for tuition, college housing, books and food. To help you out, here are a few tips to consider when planning for college move in day as well a printable college move in checklist.

College Move In Is Exciting

When do freshman move into college? The answer to this question is specific to each college. That being said, freshman will often move onto campus one week before college classes start in order to attend freshman orientation events. College move in day will be different for each university so check their website for residence halls information. Some may be move in by appointment. Generally speaking it will probably be some time around August 14-20.

This is a super exciting time for students. However, don’t forget that it can be very stressful for them too. Having to transition into adult life is scary to most teenagers even when they are looking forward to it as well. As parents, it is also exciting and stressful as we want them to do great and at the same time we are trying to manage a whole new set of expenses.

Tips For College Housing

According to The College Board®, even with the average tuition increasing at both private colleges and public universities, higher education still pays when you look at patterns among U.S. adults with different levels of education. Fortunately, there are many options to help you pay for college such as subsidized and unsubsidized loans, grants and scholarships, and hopefully college savings plans to help you fund your child’s education. However, tuition is just one part of college expenses.  College housing can eat up a major portion of your budget as well. Here is some helpful information and a college dorm list you can use when planning for the best and most affordable home for your future college student.

Compare housing costs

At many colleges, freshmen are required to live in campus dorm rooms. Often, many will choose to move off campus sometime between sophomore and senior year of college. With so many options for today’s students, deciding between dorm-life and apartment living can be a toughie! When you’re researching housing, you may hear all sorts of information about how cost-effective off-campus living is. However, many people are unaware of the hidden costs, such as food, utilities and gas, associated with living in an apartment and can sometimes end up spending just as much or more as compared to living on-campus.

Look for included utilities

The fact that utilities are included when it comes to dorm life makes paying bills and planning expenses much easier. If you do decide that an off-campus house or apartment is the best route for your child, try searching for apartments that include utilities in the rent. This allows you or your child to account for how much money is left for other expenses rather than waiting for an electric or water bill to arrive. Not to mention, this can save money during the summer or winter months when utility bills tend to be the highest.

Roommates are a great option

Most all college freshmen have a roommate. This is a great opportunity to make a new friend or at least expand your acquaintance group. You may want to have your child read some tips for being a good roommate since this will be a new experience for most. Roommates are also a great way to share costs including rent, utilities, furnishings and even groceries. Plus, if your child selects a roommate that he or she gets along with, it will help ease the adjustment to college life.

Set up your child’s new home

Whether you child is living in a dorm room or not, they will need to bring lots of items with them to make their new abode feel like a home. The below provided college move in checklist will help you plan for everything including clothes, toiletries, bedding, study essentials, and more.

For many kids, one of the most exciting parts of moving to college is setting up their new home. If your child is moving off campus, they will need everything on the provided college dorm list plus furniture and kitchen essentials! Second hand household goods are an affordable idea especially if they will be staying in the same place for multiple years and do not have to worry about moving everything.

College Move In Checklist

I hope you find this college dorm list useful. It is in image format below or you can the college checklist pdf here.

Off To College Product Suggestions:

Here’s a list of essential items college students should consider packing for their dorm rooms:

1. Bedding:
   • Sheets (check the bed size with your college)
   • Pillowcases
   • Blankets/comforter
   • Pillows
2. Bath and personal care:
   • Towels (bath and hand towels)
   • Shower shoes/flip-flops
   • Shower caddy
   • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.)
   • Hairdryer/straightener/curling iron
   • Razor
   • Medicine and prescriptions
3. Kitchen and dining essentials:
   • Microwave (if allowed)
   • Mini-fridge (check regulations)
   • Plates, bowls, and utensils
   • Glasses and mugs
   • Can opener
   • Food storage containers
   • Coffee maker (if allowed)
4. Cleaning supplies:
   • Disinfecting wipes/surface cleaner
   • Paper towels
   • Trash bags
   • Laundry detergent
   • Laundry hamper/basket
   • Dryer sheets
   • Broom/dustpan or vacuum (if necessary)
5. Electronics:
   • Laptop/computer
   • Charger cables
   • Power strip/surge protector
   • Desk lamp
   • Extension cords
   • Portable Bluetooth speaker
   • Television (if allowed)
6. Study essentials:
   • Notebooks and binders
   • Pens, pencils, and highlighters
   • Sticky notes
   • Index cards
   • Backpack or tote bag
   • Desk organizer
7. Room organization:
   • Hangers
   • Under-bed storage containers
   • Storage bins
   • Over-the-door hooks or organizers
   • Shoe rack or hanging shoe organizer
8. Decor and personalization:
   • Posters/wall art
   • Picture frames
   • Desk decorations
   • Throw pillows/blankets
   • Rug
9. Miscellaneous:
   • First aid kit
   • Umbrella
   • Fan
   • Sewing kit
   • Basic toolset
   • Iron (if needed)
   • Sports equipment (if desired)

Remember to check with your college for any specific restrictions or guidelines on what you can bring to the dorms. This list should serve as a starting point, and you can tailor it based on your personal needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Be sure to pack and label everything categorically off your dorm room list. For example put bedroom supplies in one box and bathroom supplies in another and label them as such. Additionally, label all boxes and bags with student’s name and room number. And when it comes to college move in day, be sure to arrive early. Arrive well before your scheduled to move in because you may be stuck in move in day traffic trying to get to the dorms. Many colleges will provide volunteers and trolleys for move-in but they become more scarce as the day goes on.

Sending your kid to college is an exciting milestone, but making sure they have a smooth transition doesn’t come without extensive planning. It is well worth the preparation to set your child up to have the best college experience possible!