College Move In Checklist And Preparation Tips

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. This college dorm packing list will make sure your child has what they need so they are prepared to succeed.

College Move In Day 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.

My daughter has already applied for and received her housing assignment. Now she is just waiting for her room assignment, roommate information, and move-in date.

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

My daughter and I used this college dorm packing list that I created for her first year of college, which was last year. It worked out perfectly. I hope you find this college dorm list useful. It is in image format below or you can the college checklist pdf here. This ultimate college packing list contains everything from school supplies to laundry supplies.

A few quick words on weather a mini fridge or microwave should make your dorm room essentials list, it is a good idea to check with the college. At my daughter’s school, they both came with the dorm room. At some schools they are a rental option and at many schools they will restrict microwaves due to fire hazard.

Also, a quick FYI. A twin xl mattress is 5 inches longer than a regular twin so keep that in mind when you pick out their comfy bedding.

Off To College Product Suggestions:

While the above college move in checklist contains general suggestions, here are a few product brands I wanted to highlight. Some of these products were provided to me for my editorial consideration. Others of the following items we just found as we were collecting everything for my daughter’s big move to college.

Health Supplements

I am a big believer in quality supplements. I like to make sure our bodies get what they need to perform their best from a multivitamin, to a gut health supplement, to a stress relief supplement. Your kids will appreciate a specially prepared care kit around their individual needs!

OURA Pillowcase That Fights Acne While You Sleep

This luxe pillowcase fights the causes of acne and considering we usually sleep for 6-8 hours each day, that is pretty significant. The OURA Pillowcase is made with natural cotton that’s infused with germ-killing copper. It naturally destroys the bacteria that can lead to acne. Plus, this hypoallergenic pillowcase is anti-frizz for tamer hair when you wake up! Get yours at ouragami.org

Rollink- Collapsible Suitcase

Rollink has unleashed a stylish, colorful line of collapsible suitcases with multiple sizes. This innovative suitcase design is 75% slimmer than the average suitcase making it perfect for those in college dorm rooms with low storage space. You can order through on their website or through my affiliate link on Amazon.

Yaheetech Velvet Hangers

Yaheetech is a cross-border e-commerce company established in 2003. I am familiar with their products as I have previously reviewed their upholstered bed frame. I selected their velvet hangers because they are lightweight and durable for college life. The velvet surface makes them anti-slip and ideal for holding thin straps in place as well as cushioning and holding the shape of thin sweaters. Another cool feature is that you can use the cascade hooks to allow you to stack several hangers vertically. I got mine on Amazon- here is my affiliate link.

Hello Mello Loungewear

When kids go off to college, most of first-year students will have a roommate. No to mention their room is right on the hallway with numerous other freshman. This all adds up to the need for some comfy, nice-looking pajamas. Hello Mello offers some great matching sets of pajamas and loungewear. I picked these cute, soft satin pajamas in the Leaf Me Alone pattern for my daughter.

Lucce Bee Thermal Sonic Facial Brush

College can be lots of fun but it can also be stressful and stress makes my daughter’s skin breakout. I wanted to her to be prepared with a Lucce Bee Silicone Brush. Silicone is highly bacteria resistant. It vibrates sort of like an electric toothbrush. It is the perfect way to clean her face, increase circulation, and avoid bacteria that may grow on wash cloths. A shower caddy is perfect for storing these personal items and toting to a communal bathroom.

August + Monroe 3-in-1 Blemish Camouflage

To be prepared for college stress, I found this handy dandy solution from August + Monroe. Their Blemish Camouflage conceals and heals at the same time. What could be better?

Tokyo Treat Snack Box

What better way to remind your child you love them and you are thinking of them than a college snack care box? Well, the Tokyo Treat box is a cool monthly subscription service of Japanese candies and snacks delivered straight from Japan! It is a great way to try new things as well as favorites in fun seasonal flavors, like Sakura Pepsi, and Japanese Sake Kit Kats! You college kids will love these exclusive, limited edition, and seasonal flavored Japanese snacks and have fun sharing them with new college friends. Check out their snack boxes at TokyoTreat.com

Conclusion

Print your college dorm packing list. Then, 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. You most likely receive even more details at the University pre-orientation program.

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. Good luck to parents and college students! I hope new students enjoy their residence hall room and student life. Are there any items you would add to this college packing list? Or any tips you would add for freshman year move-in experience?

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