Congrats on getting into college! You’re about to start some of the best years of your life.
But we’re guessing that the idea of moving in is making you a little stressed. The fear of the unknown makes a lot of college students nervous when it comes to their move-in day.
As a local moving company in Boulder, we’ve helped countless students move into their new dorms and we’ve seen the same mistakes over and over.
Help make your move to your college campus much less stressful by avoiding these eight common moving mistakes.
Want more? Check out this moving guide for 15 more moving tips you probably haven’t thought of.
College Move-In Mistakes to Avoid
There are eight key mistakes many college students make when they move into a new dorm:
Underpacking
It can be a big task packing all your stuff for college. But the last thing you want is to pack super light and then not have the essentials during your first few weeks.
Think about everything you use in a normal week at home and make a list to make sure you pack all the things you’ll need but might not think about.
Here are a few basics you should pack:
- Bedsheets, pillows, pillowcases, and a comforter
- Bath towels
- Coat hangers
- An extension lead
- Toiletries and paper towels
- Shower shoes and shower caddy
- Kitchen utensils and dish towels
- Pens, pencils, notepads, and highlighters
- Laptop cables and chargers
- USB stick
- Mobile phone charger
- Medicine
- Washing detergent and fabric softener
- An umbrella
- A water bottle
Overpacking
On the flip side, you also don’t want to overpack. You really don’t need to take every little thing from your room at home. You’ll probably be moving into a much smaller room in your college dorm, so you don’t want it to feel cramped.
When you’re packing, ask yourself if an item is something you really need or want to take. The more you can pair down non-essential items, the easier the move will be and the fewer moving boxes you’ll need.
Not Cleaning
Your college will have a cleaning team to come in and clean dorms before you move in. But you should still clean everything yourself before you unpack.
The cleaning team has thousands of rooms to get through and will do a basic clean in each one. Take some antibacterial cleaning products and do a deep clean to make sure your room is nice and clean before you unpack.
Not setting rules
If you’re sharing a dorm with a roommate, make sure you both set rules and boundaries straight away.
Once you’ve introduced yourself and got to know each other, ask them if they have any rules they want to implement – by letting them start, it will be easier to set your own after.
Rules might include:
- Not borrowing your things without asking.
- Not going to your side of the room when you’re not in.
- Not taking food without asking first.
- Not making a lot of noise after a certain time.
Not using up all the storage space the dorm has to offer
Dorms can feel tiny when you first move in, and you might be wondering how you’ll fit all your stuff in a small space.
But there are many hidden ways to make the most out of dorm space.
- If you have under bed storage space, get storage bins to keep larger items under there.
- Take multi-use furniture like a storage ottoman instead of a desk chair.
- Designate a small space as a kitchen if you have a mini-fridge, coffee maker, etc. to keep it all together and out of the way.
- If you have a wardrobe or closet, use closet organizers for extra storage.
Keeping your dorm messy
You’ll soon resent your dorm room if it’s always a mess. A messy dorm is usually a sign you have too much stuff and nothing has a designated place. Declutter your things regularly and keep everything organized to keep your dorm clean.
You’ll enjoy the space much more and it’ll be easier to study.
Not using vertical space
There is tons of vertical space in a dorm room to take advantage of:
- Buy over-the-door hooks or storage for shoes and other supplies.
- Think about shelving for your books.
- Hanging baskets look nice and are great for storage.
How much do college students spend moving into dorms?
According to the National Retail Federation, college students spend an average of $836 when moving into a dorm. This includes clothing, electronics, and furnishings.
That’s not to say you can’t spend significantly less with some savvy budgeting and pairing down what you take with you.
How to make your move easier
Moving to college is one of the most exciting times of your life, and it shouldn’t be made stressful with the chore of packing.
With some expert packing tips, you can pack much more effectively and make your move much less stressful.
Check out our packing guide to pack for college like a pro.
