The Complete College Move-In Checklist

As we approach the beginning of a new academic year, many of us are looking at Pinterest for college move-in essentials, reading older articles of what to bring and what not to bring, clearing out half of our closet that we didn’t wear last year and making sure that everything fits into the car for when you move to campus.

Here are some of the little things that checklists miss off sometimes, or that you are prone to forget:

1. Bedding

Don’t forget your pillows, sheets, covers, and blankets. It gets cold at night and you don’t want to be freezing every night before classes. Also, it is a good idea to have an extra set just in case the campus laundry machines destroy your bedding!

2. Stationary

Don’t be that person in the lecture hall asking everyone for a pen. Make sure you have pens and highlighters, enough binders for your classes, and sticky notes for all the reminders you need this upcoming semester.

3. Charging cables

This is an important reminder, make sure you take every charger you have, but also leave one at home as a backup. Electronics are very important to keep college students going nowadays, make sure you have your main chargers and backups in case they stop working at any point.

4. Toiletries

This is something you don’t necessarily need to buy before you move in as you can get them from your local Target when you’re back at campus. Needless to say though, make sure you have everything you need each day, particularly when it comes to finals week!

5. Student ID

Make sure you have this before you leave home, this is your ticket to college, don’t forget it!

6. Extra hangers

This is a more important point than you will realize. The large number of free shirts you are likely to receive during your time at college can fill up your closet quicker than your laundry will dry. Purchase an extra pack of hangers next time you go to Target.

7. Shoes for all weathers

Weather across the country changes drastically around the year, venturing through a storm in flip-flops won’t do much for your health, nor your cold toes when you get inside. Make sure you have good quality shoes that can bear all weather types, all year round.

8. Laundry supplies

Detergent, quarters, color catchers, laundry basket. Make sure you have all these essentials so that you can properly do laundry and make sure your clothes are entirely clean.

9. Command Hooks

An essential for college living. Damage free, easy to put up and take down, a lifesaver whenever anything falls down. Make sure you have an extra pack on hand, the Velcro strips work great for tapestries in dorm rooms as well!

10. Cleaning supplies

Apartments and dorms will only ever be as clean as you let them be, make sure you grab some disinfectant wipes, a broom and dustpan, and even a Swiffer for when you feel the need to clean your room.

11. Medicine

Having to do a drugstore run when you’re ill doesn’t help you feel any better. Make sure you have a backup kit of headache medication, painkillers, and band-aids, you will probably find you need these supplies more than you realize!

12. NOT your entire wardrobe

I promise that you won’t need every sweater, dress or pair of shoes that you own currently. Take a good selection of your favorite things, but don’t take everything. College wardrobes, both on and off campus are known for being smaller than anyone needs, be sure to utilize your drawers, but also only take the absolute essentials you need for college.

13. Food utensils

Whilst dining halls and take-out food is a great idea sometimes, there is nothing that compares to a homemade meal sometimes. Don’t forget to take plates, bowls, and utensils to college with you!

14. Umbrella

Coinciding with shoes to bear all weathers, make sure you have a good and sturdy umbrella for any rain storms you find yourself in. No one likes arriving to class with wet clothes and wet textbooks, be prepared!

15. Textbooks

Whether you are a buyer, renter or digital text user of textbooks, make sure you plan to get these in advance of your classes. If an instructor states that they are essential to the course curriculum, make sure you are ready with them in order to excel in your classes this semester.

Don’t forget these college move-in essentials, they are much more important than you realize until you forget them!