COLLEGE MOVE-IN DAY GUIDE // My Top 7 Tips!

A step-by-step list of what to do for your college move-in day! Everything you need to know to have an easy, successful time unpacking your dorm room. I've moved twice in my college career at USC so I share my experience and all my most poignant advice!

MORE HELPFUL COLLEGE-THEMED VIDEOS:

[shaysinger]

Before moving anything in, document any damages to the room (chipped paint, scratches on wall/floor, window latches, etc.). There is always such a rush to move everything in but take the room check-in sheet seriously and mark down any and all blemishes so you don't get charged at the end of the year. :)

[natashagoldberg]

MAKE LISTS!! go into each room (bathroom, bedroom etc.) at home and literally make a list of what you want and need, before you even start packing anything up to move out

[littlebutterfly]

Bring snacks and water! The worst thing is trying to move in while you're tired AND hungry! Also, keep a box marked "unpack first" In that box I had my tool kit for putting anything together, clorox wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, anything I thought I would need right off. Make your fan one of the first things you unpack, especially if you move in during the summer.

[weezydai]

My best tips from three years of moving into boarding school:
1. Keep all of your essentials in one or two boxes/bins together so that if you don't have time to unpack everything right then and there, especially if you have orientation events to get to in a few hours, you'll have everything you need to get through the next few days available without having to dig to the bottom of all your stuff! Then you can unpack all of your nonessentials over the course of a few days, which is much less stressful. (Eg keep a couple changes of clothes, shower stuff, chargers, etc. in a duffle bag rather than packed away)
2. You do NOT need to put up all of your decorations at once as soon as you move in, it's probably better to save your 250 photos for a less stressful day (first weekend?) and you might want to talk with your roommate about where decor would look best
3. Check for any damage on walls, furniture, windows, doors, etc. and take pictures of any damage you find so that you can't be charged for it at the end of the year since you can prove it was there when you moved in!
4. Move in day is a great chance to chat up some of the other people in your building and on your floor - introduce yourself, ask if they need help, bond over how much you wish there was AC, etc.!
5. I'd highly recommend you don't wear shoes like flip flops and instead wear like converse or something because it's easy to trip or lose a shoe when carrying so much stuff you can't see the ground and trying to take heavy/large things up stairs, plus it really really sucks to drop heavy stuff on your bare toes!

[theoriginalanimeker]

1) Before entering your room KNOCK!!! You don't know if your roommate is changing in the dorm before you get there, don't assume your the first one there even if your roommate told you she's coming the next day..KNOCK...and ppl forget to lock the door, and it would be so awkward to walk in on your half naked roommate with your family. *Happened when my sister was moving in to the girl next door*

2) Even though not everyone may be moving in early, be prepared to wait in a long ass line to get your key. When I went with my sister we arrived early, right when they said it started 8:00 am, and we were the first one in her dorm but we didn't actually get in until 12pm...and we couldn't leave to get lunch after waiting b/c we were in fear that her roommate was coming.

3) The move-in helpers at the school were giving out water and selling snacks but bring your own and maybe an umbrella or hat& wear sunscreen, and maybe a fan...foldable chair jk that's extra but great if you packed it.

4) Do not base your dorm off of a dorm tour, you might be able to guess the relative size but trust me when you walk in your dorm will be slightly unique, and for me the tour was nothing like the dorm I stayed in at during orientation, which was still in the same hall.

5)With all that still try to take pictures of the dorms when you can, it will still help to have your own reference, and in this situation excess can be a life-saver.

6)Take a before picture of your room so you know how to move out at the end of the year, some people accidentally take school property home lol.

[TexasSwimStar]

I know you mentionned it at the end of the video, but my biggest tip would be to not yell or get upset with your parents, grandparents, siblings, or whoever is helping you move in! When I was moving in to my dorm I got pretty upset with my parents, and although i have long since apologized for the way I spoke to them, it still bothers me that I lost my temper right before not seeing them for four months! They are also very stressed, and preparing to leave you for weeks or months, so just appreciate this last little bit of time that you have with them for a while!

[speedstackinggurl]

I'd say plugging the fridge in, making sure your fan(s) are accessible and plugged in early on is super important. Keeps the air moving and the fridge will give you a cold drink not too long later. Definitely do the bed early on and not much else matters! It's a crazy day but most schools have people there to help you move and to get settled! And bring a few cold drinks with you! Definitely good to be able to cool down with a quick drink.

[LolNotDarian]

I remember this girl said to hang your clothes already & then just put them in a trash bag w. the hangers out of the top sp it'll be easier to just transfer it into the closet & save you a lot of time.

[meganmcfarland]

one of the most helpful things I've experienced is putting all of your clothes that you know you will be hanging up on the hangers before you move in and then wrap them in garbage bags. not only is it easily transferable, but it makes your life a whole lot easier once you get to the dorm by not having to spend an hour hanging all of your clothes.

[SIMSTER]

Use trash bags to pack your clothes on hangers!!! You can just hang up you clothes and then take the trash bag off you clothes and you're done!

[watzittoya]

Make sure you know if your building has an elevator or not and if it doesn't make sure you have people to help you move stuff in because not all colleges will have people helping move stuff and if you end up on a third floor with no elevator and only one other person helping it will suck.
Also you will be tempted to buy a bunch of stuff you don't need, a list will be your friend. As you go through a normal day write down all the stuff you actually use (like bathroom things, do you really use a robe everyday, are you actually going to use it?) this really helps narrow down the list of things you need to buy. Also buying things for long term use, you don't want to end your first year with a bunch of things you can no longer use for your second year. Things like a vacuum, a fan, organizational things(like plastic bins with lids or small desk things to put pencils in) you should pay close attention to because they can be reused.
Also if you really want to make sure you get the side you want get there early, have a separate suitcase with a bedspread in it so once you get your keys you can go directly into the room and claim your side without having to wait to get your bedding out of the car. I rambled a bit >.< oops

[BritgirlTX]

I'm a parent new to move-in day ... but I would suggest using plastic storage bins ... with dedicated things inside ... like all bed stuff in one bin ... all desk stuff in another etc. I would have all the boxes labelled for each area. I would have all my storage boxes in the same color EXCEPT one. I would have one in red (or another bright color) as my 'OPEN ME FIRST' box. In that box I would put cleaning supplies, post-its, pens (in case we need to make a note of stuff for the Target run etc.), first aid kit ... and a bottle of water for each person doing the

Wipe down and lysol spray the bed, headboard and footboard (younger siblings could do this to keep them out of the way!) Definitely clean door handles on the door to the room and the bathroom. I would also line the drawers with something - dollar tree giftwrap will work! Hang a printed schedule by the desk ... and also a wipe board printed monday thru sunday ... that roommates can add BOTH of their schedules and times to so roomies know where the other is!

Use a tension rod for curtains or a command hook at either end of the window and add a regular curtain rod.

This is a very awesome blog ... thanks for sharing ... I've been following for a while! Parents ... get organized as well ... have a plan ... don't just stack everything in the room and hope for the best - plan it out and it SHOULD go smoothly! I would suggest making the bed LAST - because I'm sure stuff is going to be placed on the bed before finding a place for it.

[angelinawilson]

I'm a commuter student but I watched this video so I could help out my friends that are moving on campus. So my tip is to ask a commuter student to help! We don't have dorms to worry and it helps us feel more apart of the campus community. Commuters tend to know the surrounding area of the campus well (if they live close) and can pop into town to get something you may need. I'm going to be helping my friends move into their dorm in a couple of weeks and I'm very excited for it!

[elizabethdiane]

This is extremely helpful to me! I had been planning to go to a local community college and then transfer, but just this week my transfer school (a private 4 year university) called and said they are upping my awarded scholarships to cover my full tuition! Move in day is in 2 weeks so I have to stress pack! I also have to coordinate with my roommate (who I don't know yet). Your videos are extremely helpful!

[postmoddy]

This probably has more to do with the planning aspect, but like a month before move in (or earlier if you'd like), try to be hyper self-aware and everyday, before you leave any room, jot down everything you used while you were in that room, and then just go on about your day. I found this to be more precise than just taking like an hour or so to look around each room and seeing what I need. Idk maybe just taking note while completing your natural routine can be more beneficial. This is also super helpful with clothes, because if you also make sure to take note of each thing you wear, you'll be able to see what clothes/shoes you actually need to bring or wear often instead of packing random things that you "might wear down the road". 😉

[KiaraMadisen]

This is the dream team collab! I love all you guys! The idea to clean the room and figure out all the planning before you even move anything in is really smart! I move in to my dorm in a month and a half and I am a bit overwhelmed but your tips were so helpful 👍🏼

[annemariechase]

OMG I AM EVEN MORE AWKWARD IN YOUR VIDEO HAHAHHA. But yes s/o to the famous Katherout Move-In Vlog!!!

[Nosybob]

Take photos of any/all damages before you move anything in! Save them with a date stamp somewhere safe on your phone/computer so that at the end of the year you can dispute any charges for damages that you did not cause but are being charged for :)

[shakiras]

Hello! My college doesn't have bins but has a move-in crew that will literally help you carry up all of your stuff so super speedy. It's awesome! Maybe some other schools have something similar :) also instead of boxes I used my laundry basket and other storage bins that I would already be using in my room.

[thejayxo]

if you are going to a school with a huge campus and student body also see if you can join early programs (if its not too late) to move in early.





Also check the weather and dress appropriate.
(college freshman but moved in my brother and i wore jeans in 98 degree weather)