How to Move to College: Moving Tips for College Students

Moving away for college is a rite of passage – it provides the perfect opportunity for young people to become independent, learn to take responsibility for their words and actions, find their own way out of difficult situations, define their goals, and pursue them.

Moving out for college is the first step on the journey to self-improvement, self-reliance, and self-determination.

If you’re about to make that step, you need to do it right so you can ensure the successful start of your college year and your new life.

Here are some expert tips for moving to college to put you on the right track:

You may also like to read: How to Tell Your Parents You Are Moving Away. In this guide, we share some tips to make telling your parents you are moving out easier.

Long-distance moving costs explained—don’t overpay!

Prepare for Moving to College

To prepare for college move-in, you need to gather all the relevant information and organize the required paperwork.

Plan Your College Move

To stay organized and avoid wasting precious time on college move-in day, you need to get familiar with the college rules and guidelines in advance – read carefully all the information on your college website and all the materials provided by the university so you know what documents you need, learn the college move-in policies, and don’t miss an important deadline.

If you’ll be moving into a college dorm, pay special attention to check-in times and procedures, parking rules, and other relevant regulations.

Create a detailed moving-into-college checklist to make sure nothing important falls through the cracks.

Take Care of the Documents

Besides the paperwork demanded by your college and related to your studies, you will need your personal documents, of course:

• Make sure you have your ID card, your passport, your social security card, and your birth certificate (or at least a copy of it) with you at all times;
• Don’t forget to take your health insurance card and required medical records and make any necessary arrangements concerning your health insurance, prescription medications, and other medical issues you might have;
• Transfer or update your driver’s license, car registration, insurance, and obtain a parking permit if you intend to use your own vehicle on campus grounds;
• Bring along copies of any certificates, academic records, and other relevant school papers (or the original documents, if necessary);
• You are advised to open any bank accounts you will need prior to moving to college – be warned that at the beginning of the school year, many bank representatives will offer a variety of bank deals that may sound very attractive to freshmen unless they care to read the fine print which reveals numerous catches.

If you are going to study abroad, contact your university in advance to obtain a full list of their specific requirements and prepare the needed documents to get a student visa.

You can find further information on the websites of the Embassies, Consulates, and/or Diplomatic Missions of the corresponding countries.

You may also like to read: Moving Out for the First Time Checklist. Here is a useful checklist for first time movers that you may find useful.

Figure Out What to Bring to College

Before you start making your college move-in checklist, you’re advised to:

Find Out What Is Available

You need to know how much space you will have when moving into student housing (the dimensions of your room, whether you’ll have a balcony and any additional storage space, whether will there be shared rooms, such as kitchens or laundry rooms, etc.) and what major furniture and basic appliances will be at your disposal (and under what conditions).

If you are moving to a dorm room:

• Contact your college’s Housing Department and ask about the details – what is the size and the shape of your room, what furnishings are provided, which are the common areas, etc.;
• Find reviews from students who have lived in the same dorm – it is always good to get some insider information concerning all the positive and negative aspects of life in a specific place.

If you prefer to live off-campus:

• Find an appropriate off-campus rental property (most colleges have an off-campus housing section on their websites where you can find apartment listings);
• Make sure your chosen place meets all your requirements and be very careful when signing a rental agreement;
• Clarify your rights and your responsibilities considering the property (redesigning or refurnishing, decorating, finding roommates, inviting people over, etc.)

More often than not, all the basic furniture will be available and there won’t be enough space for larger pieces – personal care items, clothes, school supplies, electronic gadgets, small kitchen appliances, cleaning supplies and medications will probably be all you will need to take with you.

Good to know: Keep in mind that taking your pet with you may not be an option, or even if you are allowed to keep your animal companion, there will be some regulations to comply with. Research the matter carefully before making any plans concerning your pet.

Contact Your Roommate

It’s important to coordinate with your roommate so you avoid frustrating situations and don’t end up with duplicate items.

If you are moving off-campus, you will be able to choose the person you’re about to share your living space with and discuss all the relevant issues at length.

When moving into a dorm, try to learn who your roommate will be and get in touch with them in advance.

See if they’re willing to share some appliances and electronics, decide what larger items each of you will bring (mini-fridge, microwave, TV, etc.), discuss what each of you needs and prefers, and do your best to ensure a peaceful and convenient lifestyle that both of you will enjoy.

Let your roommate know some important details, such as the phone number to contact your family in case of an emergency or what needs to be done if you have an allergy attack.

Remember – there is a good chance that your roommate will become one of your closest friends!

You may also like to read: How to Ship Moving Boxes. If you are moving just a few boxes to college and have no transport then you will find this guide invaluable.

Sort Out Your Belongings and Pack Efficiently

Once you know what will be available in your room and what your roommate intends to bring, consider what else you will need and what you prefer not to part with.

When compiling your moving-to-college packing list, keep in mind that it may be better to buy some items from your new city (bulky or fragile items that are not expensive, cleaning supplies, etc.) instead of moving them.

If your college is within a short driving distance or if you plan to return home on a regular basis, pack only what you will need for the first couple of months – you can take the items that you will use during the next season or the next semester later on. Besides, even if you forget to pack something, your family can always send it to you.

What to Pack for College

Your packing list for moving to college should contain all the essentials you’re going to need for a comfortable college life, but don’t be tempted to make it too long – there won’t be much space in your room.

Take the basics first and when you have lived in your new surroundings for a while, you will figure out what else will be good to have.

• Clothes. Choose garments and shoes suitable for the climatic conditions in the state you are moving to, but pack some layers of warm clothing even if you are going south and a couple of tank tops even for a northern city. Take only items that are really comfortable and match at least several of the other articles you’re about to bring to college. Make sure some formal attire makes its way into your suitcases too, for you may need to attend a formal event. Don’t forget your sports clothing and shoes, either. Remember that small accessories, such as scarves and belts, will allow for great diversity and a more cheerful look. Hangers are irreplaceable when it comes to organizing your wardrobe effectively, so bring plenty of them – preferably ultra-thin ones to save space;
• Bedding. Your room will be cozier if you bring your favorite blanket or your pretty decorative cushions and you may prefer to sleep in your own sheets and pillowcases, but use the provided mattresses, pillows, bed covers, etc. – these pieces are too bulky and difficult to move. If you think you will need mattress pads, comforters, and/or a sleeping bag, bring them along. Curtains and area rugs are both charming and handy, so unless your room already has them, take your own ones. Don’t forget an alarm clock and a portable night lamp;

Toiletries and medicines. You can buy most of the necessary toiletries after you have moved in, but make sure you have at least one month’s supply of your most essential personal-care products and prescription medicines. Bring a first-aid kit containing a thermometer, allergy and pain relievers, and all the essentials in case of injury. You will probably want to take your bathrobe, hairbrush, and other “imperishable” personal-care items with you, too;

Electronic devices. You will definitely need your laptop and your phone (and their chargers), but you may need to bring your digital camera, music player, and some other gadgets you will enjoy as well (consult your roommate – you don’t want to duplicate a stereo or a TV, for example);

Small appliances. A mini-fridge, a microwave, a toaster, a coffee maker, a hairdryer, a flashlight, an iron, together with enough extension cords and batteries, will come in very handy. Be sure to bring a toolkit as well – a hammer, screwdrivers and pliers, nails, screws, a measuring tape, duct tape, scissors, and other basic tools will help you decorate and deal with minor repairs if necessary;

Kitchen utensils. Pack several dishes and glasses, cups and bowls, a pot and a pan, bottle-openers and can-openers, water filters, a teapot, and some silverware – whatever you will use on a daily basis;

Study materials. Take your books and dictionaries, as well as a comfortable backpack, but consider buying pens and pencils, notebooks and sticky notes, etc. after you have settled in. If you will use a printer frequently, bringing your own will probably be a good idea;

Decorations and keep-sakes. Pack your favorite ones, reminiscent of happy moments and beloved people,to help you feel at home in your new place.

Don’t forget some small items, such as board games, sunglasses, a calendar, a fan, an umbrella, and anything else you really enjoy and need.

Whatever you pack for college, make sure it will be practical and will help you feel well – your personal possessions reflect your personality and your lifestyle.

Good to remember: If you’re moving into a college dorm, check your college website for items banned in the dorm, so you don’t pack any of them.

How to Pack for College

When packing your belongings for college, use some clever tricks to save space and speed up unpacking:

• Organize your items by purpose when packing them for college (put all your desk materials in one box, for example):
• Stack smaller items into larger ones;
• Pack heavy items (such as books) in smaller boxes that are easier to carry around;
• Use a lot of plastic wrap for packing and securing your possessions – it is really easy and convenient;
• Towels and older clothes make good padding materials, as well as socks, handkerchiefs, and paper bags;
• Pack in sturdy boxes or plastic containers that you can later use for storing your belongings;
• Pack any bins and boxes that you intend to use as storage containers with the items that will be kept in them;
• Label your boxes clearly as you pack them, so you know where you can find what you need with a glance;
• Make sure you have a box that can be locked to keep your valuables (documents, jewels, love letters, etc.) inside.

When you know what you’re going to bring to college, it’s time to plan the logistics of your college move.

You may also like to read: Alternative Packing Materials. If you are moving to college by car then it is best to only use boxes for the most fragile items. Using bags makes far better use of the space in a car and in this guide, we share tips for packing without boxes.

How to Move to College

You have several options to move your belongings. Consider them all and choose the one that best suits your needs:

1. Asking your family for help. If your college is located within a couple hours’ drive of your home, your family should be able to take you and your items there without too much trouble – you will have secured both the transportation means and the help required for unloading and taking your belongings to your room. Actually, many colleges offer move-in help from volunteers if you don’t have enough physically strong people with you to lend you a hand. Either way, it is a good idea to bring a collapsible hand truck so you can move large items more easily.

2. Renting a moving truck. If you are moving for college out of state and have a lot of larger items to relocate, your family car won’t do – you’ll need to rent an appropriate-sized moving truck so you can move all your belongings in one trip. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay not only the company’s rate for the rented vehicle, but also to provide for the fuel, insurance, parking permits, and road tolls along the way. Remember that it may be difficult to find a convenient parking spot for the large truck on the hectic college move-in day, so try to get there as early as possible in order to avoid the rush hour.

3. Hiring movers. If you’re wondering how to move across the country for college, consider hiring the professional services of college moving companies. Many reputable movers offer special moving discounts for college students while their experienced approach guarantees a speedy and trouble-free relocation. You can find a reliable college moving service and get an accurate idea of your moving costs here. Considering the available student moving discounts and the efficiency of professional student moving services, this may turn out to be the most beneficial moving option for college students moving to university out of state. Just make sure you find trustworthy college student movers and book their services as early as possible.

4. Consolidating. If someone from your hometown is moving to the same college you’re going to, you can take advantage of the consolidation policies offered by many college moving companies. You will both benefit from the situation.

5. Shipping items to campus. If you are moving for college a long distance, you can ship some of your belongings beforehand – just check your college’s policies for shipped items and make the necessary arrangements.

You may also like to read: How to Pack a Car for Moving. If you are moving to college using a car then you will find the tips in this guide invaluable.

Bonus Moving Tips for College Students

There are a few other really important things to remember when moving to college:

• Do your best to avoid rush hour on dorm move-in day. You need to respect the timeslot specified for you by your college but be sure to arrive at the dorm as early as possible. Arriving on campus two hours earlier than most of the other students may save you up to five hours when registering, unloading, and taking your possessions to your dorm room;
• Postpone shopping. Do not surrender to the urge to go to the nearest shop and purchase a whole load of things during the first days after moving in. Whatever seems to be absolutely necessary on day 2 may turn out to be quite useless on day 12. Give yourself some time to properly assess the situation and your needs, to get an accurate idea of what life will be like and what your roommate intends to buy before you decide what else you will really need to purchase. Besides, in a week or so after having moved to your new city, you will have a more realistic idea as to which the cheaper and better-supplied stores are;

Decorate last. Organize the unpacking process in a quick and efficient manner – find suitable places for all the larger items you have brought with you, organize your wardrobe and your study materials effectively, and let decorations stay in their boxes until everything else is put on its rightful place. You need to make your room tidy and comfortable first – when the initial stress of moving into college has abated, you will have time enough to add charm and coziness to your room;

Be open-minded. Your roommate and some other people you meet at college may come from a different cultural background and have a different lifestyle, or they may hold some really surprising points of view and beliefs – try not to judge others hastily and do your best to understand the way they think. Discuss peacefully anything that may bother you and reach a mutually beneficial conclusion. Above all – never fall victim to stereotypes and prejudice! Listen to other people’s opinions carefully but make your own informed decisions;

Take advantage of every new opportunity. Rekindle your passion for sports, arts, and science and do not miss any chances – join whatever activities you find enjoyable, improve your skills, expand your knowledge, and search for new friends. Explore new things and gain new experiences, just enjoy the ultimate freedom you have as a student when you are the sole master of your time!

Make every moment count. Don’t waste time in pointless arguments, regrets and/or nostalgic thoughts, but experience life in its full splendor. Be nice to people, don’t get involved in conflicts, and don’t be aggressive – but don’t let others influence you either. Learn as much as you can, in terms of science, human relationships, and the way things work in real life.

Be sure to check out our home moving blog for tips on how to make every aspect of your move easier, cheaper, and safer.

Good luck at college and the start of an amazing new chapter in your life.