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Moving into your dorm is one of the most exciting (and chaotic) days ever — so we put together the tips we wish someone told us!
BEFORE MOVE-IN DAY: PREP & PACKING
1. Packing Strategy
• Pack your car in reverse order of how you’ll unload. The things you need FIRST (cleaning supplies, toolkit, bedding) go in LAST.
• Label bins BEFORE arriving so unpacking is fast and stress-free.
• Pack your outfits on hangers in trash bags (hole at top for hangers).
• Pack an essentials bag so you’re not digging for chargers, deodorant, skincare, etc.
• Put your “first night” essentials in ONE bag (pajamas, toothbrush, charger, meds, towel).
• Bring scissors, tape, and a box cutter — you’ll need them immediately.
2. Tools & Organization Prep
• Bring a mini tool kit — you WILL need it.
• Bring two sets of command hooks: one for decor, one for functional use (bags, towels, robes, belts).
• Keep all screws and instructions for furniture assembly in one labeled Ziploc bag.
• Tape the screws and hardware to the furniture piece they belong to.
3. Car Loading
• Put all hanging clothes in trash bags and lay on top of other items (no wrinkles, no fold marks).
• Place your mattress topper in the back seat still sealed — do NOT open it until you’re in the dorm or it will expand everywhere.
• Keep your move-in crew small — too many people take up car space (which you WILL need) and create more chaos than help. If multiple family members are coming, plan ahead and bring two cars if needed!
4. Personal Essentials
• Keep your important documents folder safe from day one (passports, birth certificate, etc.)
• Bring a reusable water bottle — travel + move-in day gets exhausting.
• Keep snacks handy — dining halls are packed on move-in day.
MOVE-IN DAY: BEFORE BRINGING ANYTHING INTO YOUR ROOM
1. Room Setup Preparation
• Wipe down every surface before putting anything away.
Dorms are… lived in.
• Decide your bed height early (low, mid, loft).
This determines ALL storage placement.
• Add risers to your bed if allowed — gain 2–3x more storage space.
• Lay your rug down BEFORE moving any furniture in.
Once the bed + desk + organizers are in place, it’s almost impossible.
2. Essential Placement
• Put your mattress topper on the bed immediately so it can expand.
Memory foam needs 1–2 hours to fully inflate.
• Set up your Brita filter ASAP so you have cold water while unpacking.
3. Closet Setup
• Hang clothes by category for faster unpacking.
• Use under-bed bins to store off-season clothes right away.
• Put command hooks inside your closet for bags, towels, and robes.
• Add a skinny shoe rack inside your closet door — shoes cause MOST of the clutter in dorms.
4. Making Unloading Easier
• Create a “drop zone” by your door: keys, student ID, sunglasses, deodorant, chapstick. Saves you from hourly panic-searching and accidental lockouts.
MOVE-IN DAY: UNPACKING & ORGANIZING
1. Unpacking Strategy
• Pack & unpack in zones:
bed → closet → desk → bathroom → decor
Order = sanity.
• Don’t open ALL boxes at once.
Unpack one category fully before starting the next to reduce clutter and overwhelm.
• Bring a trash bag to fill while unpacking (it builds up quick).
2. Final Move-in Day Tips
• Keep snacks nearby — you’ll likely skip meals while setting up.
• Stay hydrated with your reusable water bottle.
• Take a picture with your roommate BEFORE the room gets messy again.
• Be social! Move-in day is one of the easiest times to meet people — families are around, doors are open, and everyone’s excited. Say hi to the girls on your floor and start building those first friendships.
You’ve got this! Move-in day may feel overwhelming, but these tips will help you go in confident, organized, and prepared. And remember — the real fun starts once everything’s unpacked!
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