How to Prepare to Move Into a College Dorm Room
Making Student Move-In Day Easier for Students and Parents
Moving into a college dorm room can be hectic and nerve-wracking, but the organization is the key to a low-stress move-in day for all students.
College dorm rooms become a home away from home for hundreds of thousands of college students every year. Even though these rooms are often small and lack storage space, college students often have to fit many things into them.
Living on campus brings plenty of advantages such as finding new friends, and improving communication skills. You may even start working as a tutor for those who ask something like "can you write my essay?" or provide your mates with complete assignments.
However, moving all of a student's essential items into such a small space does not have to be stressful. With a little planning, families and students can pack everything and not worry about taking up too much space.
Utilizing Space During Move-In Day
It can be difficult to keep everything as compact and properly secured as possible when moving into a college dorm. However, students do not necessarily have to put everything in a traditional box to bring it to college.
When packing, try to pack everything for your dorm into containers that would be used during the school year. Keeping supplies in under-the-bed storage bins, office supplies in desk caddies, and toiletries in shower totes helps to pack items without having to unpack them and then put the items away. Also, these bins, caddies, and totes are often flexible, stackable, and easy to carry, making them a breeze to carry up and down stairs or fit through doorways in elevators.
Instead of packing small items in boxes, try rolling them in shirts when packing clothing or placing them in the student's clean trashcan. Favorite stuffed animals can be put in pillowcases and items such as extra bottles of shampoo can be stuck inside of socks. By utilizing every inch of available space, a student and his or her parents have to make fewer trips to bring everything in and can take one less vehicle to campus on move-in day.
Knowing the Dormitory and School Rules for Move-In Day
Almost all schools have a set of rules regarding move-in day, such as specified check-in times based on class status or a student's last name, how many vehicles can be brought to campus, or what can and cannot be kept in a dorm room throughout the school year.
Students and parents should familiarize themselves with these rules before move-in day and call the residence life or student housing office with any questions. Not following these rules can result in a fine for the student or judicial action for not following policies.
Also, many schools ask upperclassmen or members of various campus organizations like a college paper help to assist first-year students move into their rooms. If this service is provided, students are encouraged to ask upperclassmen and residence life staff for help, especially if there is a problem with room keys or with fixtures in the room.
Use Common Sense and Patience During Move-In Day
Move-in day can be a stressful time, especially for first-year students who are trying to find their way around campus. However, instead of getting stressed, students should use the help of residence life staff, orientation leaders, and other campus leaders who are there to help students navigate this process.
Students and parents should also remember to be prepared. If a parent or student has problems lifting, bringing a moving dolly or other lifting aid can be of use, especially if a roommate or the school does not provide them. Valuables that have a possibility of breaking should be wrapped and packaged accordingly, and expensive items such as computers, jewelry, and electronics should not be left in unlocked rooms without someone there to keep watch.
Moving into a college dorm room does not have to be a stressful event. With careful planning and organization, students and parents can have an easy move-in day.