What To Expect And Plan For On Move-In Day At College

 Check out this vid for some actual move-in day footage! You'll see what to expect.

You probably have a lot of expectations about college life and dorm living, some good and some bad. But how much thought have you put into move-in day at college? Probably not a lot, as planning for move-in day becomes eclipsed by planning for dorm life in general. After all, you likely are more concerned about what you’ll eat in college and what friends you’ll make—you’re probably not as concerned about how you’ll carry in and unpack a bunch of boxes. Such a task sounds simple … or so it seems.

Move-in day is worth thinking about and planning for. While your school will have staff and other students there to direct you and the sea of other new freshman and parents, some of the logistics will still be up to you. When it comes to packing up the old minivan, or whatever vehicle is transporting your dorm supplies, follow the general packing rule of putting heavier objects on the bottom. Your dorm stuff will be less likely to shift around and spill out when you open the trunk. Trust us, you don’t need the added stress of your dorm items strewn about on the parking lot!

If you haven’t already, purchase  a dorm trunk to transport your college supplies. It’ll keep them more protected than a suitcase or cardboard box, and it’s actually easier to move one large college trunk with wheels than to carry a bunch of smaller but heavy boxes. Check out all of DormCo’s great trunks for college here!:  
http://www.dormco.com/College_Dorm_Trunks_s/23.htm

Move-in day can seem overwhelming with all the packing, unpacking, and people buzzing around. So when it comes to unpacking, remember you’ll be in that dorm room for months and months! Don’t feel that you need to unpack everything immediately after dropping it off in your new room, as that job alone can be time-consuming and stressful. Try and keep everyday, much-needed dorm supplies packed separately from less crucial stuff for college. This way you can unpack essential stuff while leaving some time to decide where to store the rest of your supplies. Dorm rooms are small, and dorm room organization can be a challenge. You might need some time to think it through, as it’s worth optimizing the layout and placement of your dorm stuff since that dorm room is your new home!

Finally, saying goodbye to mom and dad can be a bit of a tearjerker for everyone involved. It might seem odd to plan for that moment when you’ll have to say goodbye, but if you don’t, things can get pretty emotional and even a little awkward. Our advice: don’t drag it out! It’ll only get more emotional as the minutes go by, so leave it to the basic quick hug and kiss. Don’t worry. In a few hours your phone will ring … and guess who it’ll be? Yep, mom and dad just checking in. Get used to it now!