Dorm Room Checklist: A Practical Guide for Moving to College

Created by parents and students who have navigated move-in weekend first year, our dorm room checklist is a practical guide to make planning, organizing, packing, and unpacking for campus living less chaotic. While the essentials listed may seem like a lot to pack and haul to your college campus, most are compact and easily stored in containers under the bed or in the closet of your freshman dorm room. Keep in mind, you'll be adjusting the list based on your needs, but it's a good starting point that also includes a to do list of often overlooked action items. Let's get started.

Follow these simple steps to better plan and organize your move to campus:

• Download DormSmart's Dorm Room Checklist. Requires (Get Adobe Acrobat Reader)
• Check your school housing policy for what to bring and what not to bring to campus, adjust the list.
• Make space at home to pack your dorm room essentials.
• Inventory items you have at home first then create a shopping list and budget. Check items off the list as acquired.
• Number your boxes. As you pack each item, mark its box number on the checklist to quickly locate essential items when you arrive on campus. Note that box size and weight matter if you must carry it a long distance to your residence hall or up the stairs to your dorm room.
• Finally, use the checklist as an inventory for your school property insurance, keep your receipts.

A few tips for a successful move-in weekend

Move-in weekend is busy! There are thousands of boxes arriving on campus with many students trying to locate them. Exactly why you should use your dorm room checklist to prepare for your move to college. Whenever possible, it's best to purchase your dorm room essentials early, pack them in an organized fashion, and accompany them to their final destination, your dorm room.

If you must ship your dorm room essentials to campus, remember to:

• Use your campus shipping address; and
• Give yourself plenty of time to locate your items (mark that you need to retrieve them on your list).

When you arrive on campus, there's lots to do to settle-in, all while participating in mandatory activities such as freshmen orientation. It's best to allow your family to help you unpack, organize, and style your dorm room into a home away from home to save time and get the best start for Monday classes. It makes the transition to college life more comfortable for everyone, especially you. Don't forget this move is also a big change for your family so put them at ease by communicating often. Have a successful year at college!