Are you heading to college soon and don’t know where to start? Moving into a dorm can be an exciting yet stressful time. With so much to think about, it’s easy to overlook important steps along the way.
To ensure your move-in goes as smoothly as possible, we’ve created this Ultimate College Move-In Checklist. We’ve included all the college essentials and helpful tips to ensure you have everything you need for a successful move-in.
Move-In Checklist: What Are the Essentials?
Before you even begin packing, knowing what you need and how you’ll get it there is important. From clothes and linens to electronics and appliances, here are some must-have items for your ultimate college packing list:
Cleaning Supplies and Toiletries
These are some of the first things you should be packing. Make sure to bring your favorite cleaning supplies and enough bath toiletries for at least the first few days.
Don’t forget to pack a mini toolkit to hang pictures or other decorations in your dorm room easily. Also, don’t forget to include basics like toilet paper, paper towels, bath towels, washcloths, and a trash can.
You should also bring cleaning supplies like an all-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dish soap. And don’t forget the toiletries — shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, a hair dryer, and a toothbrush and toothpaste always come in handy.
A shower caddy will make all the difference. Many also prefer bringing shower shoes or flip-flops to avoid germs while shuttling back and forth. And don’t forget your bathrobe!
Lastly, ensure you pack a first aid kit for any moving mishaps!
Multi-Season Clothing
One of the best pieces of advice is to bring clothes that you can layer if it gets cold. Be sure to pack various items — from shorts and tank tops for warm weather to sweaters and coats when things cool down.
You’ll want to ensure you have enough clothing and linens for the semester. Pack your favorite comfy clothes, and don’t forget to bring extra hangers.
Also, make sure you have a combination of seasonal and year-round items. You can always store your winter clothes in the closet when you need them.
Bedding
There’s a very good chance that the college dorm mattress is not the comfiest. Make sure to bring your own bedding, blankets, mattress pads, and pillows to stay warm and cozy on those chilly nights. Keep in mind that most dorm beds are size Twin XL.
That means bringing sheets, blankets, and pillowcases. You can also bring a mattress topper if you want an extra comfort layer.
Appliances and Electronics
You’ll need some appliances and electronics for your dorm room. A mini refrigerator is great for storing snacks, but make sure it fits in the dorm’s regulations. A small coffee maker will definitely support your late-night study sessions too. Check to see if toasters or toaster ovens are allowed as well.
Other items such as a laptop, alarm clock, desk lamp, smartphone, TV, and printer may also be needed. Don’t forget to pack the necessary HDMI cables, chargers, and cords. Packing a power strip to ensure you have enough outlets to power your devices is smart.
Transportation
Now that you know what items you’ll need to bring, it’s time to think about how you’ll get all your stuff there. Depending on where you live, you may need to enlist the expertise and convenience of Carvaygo.
Carvaygo is your go-to source for professional car shipping services to college — or anywhere else. Whether you’re moving in from across the country or just a few miles away, Carvaygo can help.
We provide reliable and affordable door-to-door auto transport so that you can focus on what’s important: enjoying your new home!
School Essentials
You also want to ensure you have all the necessary items for school. That includes binders, textbooks, notebooks, pens and pencils, highlighters, a laptop or tablet, and any other essentials needed for your studies.
Carefully review your syllabus and important documents for each class to ensure you have all the required items. This will ensure that you don’t fall behind and can focus on your studies.
What Electronics Will You Need?
When planning for college, it’s important to ensure you have all the electronics you need for your studies. Consider bringing a laptop or desktop computer and other tech gadgets that will help you study, like a tablet or e-reader.
Additionally, think about peripherals like power cords, external hard drives, and USB drives. Don’t forget to bring surge protectors and extension cords if you need them.
Finally, don’t forget about the tech stuff that will help make your life easier. Consider bringing a printer, Wi-Fi router, and any other devices that will make your college experience more enjoyable.
Your goal should be to have everything you need so that when the time comes to move in, you can hit the ground running. Put together a college technology checklist with all the necessary electronics and tech gear for your studies. That way, you won’t forget anything important come moving day.
What Large Items Should You Bring?
There’s a lot to consider here, but some of the most important items you’ll need are furniture, bedding, and kitchen appliances. Will you get a futon or bring your own couch? How about a big area rug? Are there any decorations that will help make your dorm room feel like home?
The same goes for bedding—do you want to bring your own comforter, sheets, and pillows? Kitchenware like plates, bowls, and cutlery are must-haves if you have a mini-fridge in your dorm room.
Finally, don’t forget to bring cleaning supplies like mops, rags, window cleaners, and all-purpose sprays. That way, you’ll be able to keep your dorm room clean and organized all year round.
How To Ship Your Car to School
The question about bringing your car to college will depend on how far away your school is and if you can afford the gas money. If it’s more cost-effective, consider leaving your car at home and taking a bus or train to campus.
If that’s not an option for you, you may want to look into carpooling with other students going in the same direction. You can also rent a car if you need one for any additional trips to and from school.
However, this can be expensive. If you want to make sure you’re getting the most cost-effective option, contact Carvaygo. With Carvaygo, we ship your car directly to your college and offer more affordable rates than traditional car rental companies.
When you choose us, you can look forward to an easy and stress-free move-in process — so you can start the school year off right. What’s more, we go to great lengths to ensure the safety and protection of your vehicle during transport.
That way, you can rest assured that your vehicle will arrive at school in the same condition it left and ready to take you where you need to go.
You might be wondering why it’s important to bring your car to school in the first place. After all, most college campuses offer transportation options like buses and shuttles.
Having a car at school can be especially beneficial if you plan to go home for holidays or take short trips with friends. That way, you won’t have to worry about finding alternative transportation or paying for expensive plane tickets.
Plus, having a car will give you the independence and freedom to explore your new surroundings — or just make a quick run to the store when you’re out of snacks. You will appreciate having the convenience of your vehicle while attending college.
What’s more, your life as a college student will be so much easier if you know your car is waiting for you! Carvaygo can help make the transition to college smooth and hassle-free. So don’t wait; contact us today.
No matter what your reason is for bringing your car to college, it’s important to ensure that you have all the necessary tools to make your move-in process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Make sure you check everything off the list before hitting the road. That way, you’ll be ready for a great college experience from day one!
The Bottom Line
Moving into college can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of this Ultimate College Move-In Checklist, you can make sure that all your essentials are packed and ready for move-in day so that you can focus on having an enjoyable first semester. Don’t forget to ask your family or friends for help, as they can make the process easier.
As for shipping your car, Carvaygo is the solution you can count on to ensure your vehicle arrives on time and in perfect condition so you can hit the ground running for a successful school year.
Simply contact us to start the process and ensure your car is waiting for you when you arrive at college. We’ll handle all the details so you can relax and focus on starting a brand new chapter!
Sources:
What Is College Like? | CollegeData
Getting Started with Technology: A Technology Checklist for New Students | UMass Amherst Information Technology
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