An Insider’s Guide to College Move-In Day

College move-in day is around the corner! I know that for me that was exciting, a little bewildering, and maybe a bit daunting. I was so pumped for my teen, but also nervous for him. And if I’m honest, nervous for myself too. It can be hard letting go.

Believe me, I have done it twice. Each time I learned a little more! Here are a few things to make the day easier for everyone. Of course, flying or driving makes a big difference in the logistics. For instance, it’s a good idea to get rid of all packaging before packing. And if you fly and pick stuff up from the post office, unpack all those packages and leave them there—dorm rooms are pretty small. And dirty. So bring/buy cleaning products! What else?

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1. Be the calm. They will take their cues from you. This is going to be a stressful and emotional day. They are excited, anxious and nervous too. As exciting as going to college is, it can also be terrifying. If you can keep cool, it will help calm your freshman.  

2. Check in.  Ask your teen what they are feeling. Hold space for some big emotions, and acknowledge that this may be really hard and unsettling for them. Setting up a new life in a new place with people you don’t know is daunting. I remember asking my son if he was more nervous or excited and he said “I’m 99% nervous!”  That made me pause. But it improved once we met the roommates. By the time we left, Tyler was all good.

3.  Hang it up. If you can, have your teen hang up as much as possible—whether in a suitcase if need be or—more easily when you’re driving. This is a big time saver as well as a way to keep the room a little less cluttered as you unpack.

4. Storage.  We all know that most dorm rooms are not large, and there is not a ton of drawer space or closet space. Bins. Bins are magic. They can fit under the bed, hold up the fridge and keep things organized. College move-in packing tip: put like things in the bins—so all the bathroom stuff in one, food in another, shoes in another. Makes unpacking a little easier.

5.  Snacks.  No one works well if they’re thirsty or hangry! If you can, pack a little cooler with drinks and food. Moving in is hard work and you don’t want to lose your parking space to leave for lunch. Yes, that happens! Another idea is to bring a box of donuts or cookies and leave the door open as you unpack. Quick way to break the ice and meet new friends.But to prop the door open, you’ll need to bring a door stopper, too!

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6. Tools. I learned this the hard way. We flew to the East Coast for our kids’ colleges and with the first one tools never entered my head. Luckily my son’s roommate’s parents had done this before and they showed up like pros. You’ll need tape, masking tape, duck tape—lots of tape. You’ll want  hooks,  markers, a screwdriver, hammer and nails. Don’t forget batteries, zip ties to conquer all the cords, and extra-long sheets. For our second teen, we knew enough to give her a whole tool kit she could keep in her room. 

7. Go Shopping.  If your teen has to fly to college, order all the dorm stuff online and either have it shipped to college, pick it up in-store. If you drive, pack in an organized manner— bedding last so you can access it right away—making the bed makes all the difference. A fan is good since many dorms are not air-conditioned. And don’t forget the fun stuff like fairy lights, photos and a rug. 

8. Again with the food. Now I’m talking about stocking the dorm room, the mini fridge and a little crate or two. It’s always a good idea to keep some easy breakfast items on hand. Cereal, milk, yogurt, instant oatmeal, fruit and protein bars. Also lunch or night time snacks like chips and salsa or tortillas and shredded cheese; peanut butter and jelly; and staples like microwave popcorn, pretzels and chocolate. 

9.  Prime.  No dorm room is going to be perfect on college move-in day. Relax.  With Amazon overnights, these kids have access to anything they need. And, to be real, all they absolutely need other than sheets/sleeping stuff is a phone, laptop, prescription meds and a set of clean clothes.

10.  Hug and Run. No matter how hard it is, parents need to leave quickly. Don’t have a long, tearful goodbye if you can help it.  A few tears is ok —good luck not getting choked up—but then do the real crying in the car on your way out.

It might be sad to let them go, but you’ve done your job. You raised your child well and they are ready for their own adventure. This is their time, they are where they are supposed to be and watching them grow and thrive is unbelievable. Take heart in that.