Everything you need to prepare for college dorm move-in day, from packing the right items and coordinating with your roommate to move-in day logistics and room setup.
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Bedding and Linens
Buy Twin XL sheets, pillowcases, and a mattress topper
Nearly all college dorms use Twin XL mattresses (80 inches long vs. standard twin at 75 inches). Standard twin sheets will be too short. A 2-3 inch memory foam topper ($30-$60) dramatically improves dorm mattress comfort.
Get 2 sets of sheets so you always have a clean set available
Buy a waterproof mattress protector—dorm mattresses are communal property
Pack a comforter or duvet appropriate for the local climate
Dorm temperatures are unpredictable—many buildings overcool in summer and overheat in winter. A medium-weight comforter with a separate lightweight blanket covers both extremes without taking up too much space.
Bring 2-3 bath towels, 2 hand towels, and a shower caddy
Communal bathrooms mean you'll carry your toiletries back and forth daily. A mesh shower caddy ($5-$10) with drainage holes dries faster than plastic and prevents mildew. Bring shower shoes—flip-flops work fine.
Room Measurements and Furniture
Get your room dimensions from the housing office website
Standard double dorm rooms are 12x15 to 14x17 feet. Measure furniture you plan to bring against these dimensions. Most dorms publish floor plans with exact measurements 4-6 weeks before move-in.
Check which furniture is provided and what you can bring
Most dorms provide a bed frame, desk, chair, dresser, and wardrobe per student. Microwaves and mini-fridges are usually the only allowed appliances. Check your housing agreement for prohibited items like candles, space heaters, and extension cords.
Buy bed risers to create under-bed storage space
Bed risers ($15-$25 for a set of 4) raise the bed 5-8 inches, creating enough room for storage bins underneath. This can double your usable storage space in a small dorm room.
Get command hooks and strips for wall organization (no nails)
Most dorms prohibit nails, screws, and tape that damages paint. Command strips ($8-$15 per pack) hold up to 16 lbs per strip and remove cleanly. Buy more than you think you need—you'll use them for everything.
Roommate Coordination
Contact your roommate to divide shared items
You don't need two microwaves or two mini-fridges. Agree on who brings what—the common split is one person brings the fridge, the other brings the microwave. This saves money and space.
Decide who brings a TV, fan, or other shared electronics
Discuss sleep schedules and noise preferences upfront
Agree on basic room rules before move-in
Cover guests, quiet hours, cleaning responsibilities, and thermostat preferences. Having this conversation before you're living together is far easier than after a conflict arises. Keep it casual and collaborative, not confrontational.
Coordinate move-in time slots to avoid arriving simultaneously
Many schools assign specific move-in windows. If yours doesn't, stagger arrival by 2-3 hours so each person has room to unload and unpack without tripping over each other in a 150-square-foot space.
Storage and Organization
Buy stackable storage bins that fit under the bed or in the closet
Measure your under-bed clearance (with risers) before buying bins. Standard under-bed bins are 6 inches tall; with risers, you can use 12-inch bins. Clear bins ($8-$15 each) let you see contents without opening.
Get an over-the-door organizer for shoes or toiletries
Over-the-door shoe organizers ($10-$15) with clear pockets work for shoes, snacks, school supplies, or toiletries. They use zero floor space and keep small items from cluttering your desk.
Bring a small desk organizer and desk lamp
Dorm overhead lighting is harsh fluorescent. A desk lamp ($15-$30) with adjustable brightness makes late-night studying easier without disturbing your roommate. LED bulbs run cooler and last the entire school year.
Pack a power strip with surge protection (not just an extension cord)
Dorm rooms typically have 2-4 outlets for two people. A surge-protecting power strip ($15-$25) with 6-8 outlets and USB ports is essential. Most schools prohibit daisy-chaining extension cords but allow surge protectors.
Packing Strategy
Pack in labeled bins rather than cardboard boxes
Plastic bins double as storage once you arrive. Label each bin by category (bedding, school supplies, kitchen, clothes) so you can prioritize unpacking. Cardboard boxes just create trash you have to haul to a dumpster.
Bring a basic first-aid kit and a supply of over-the-counter medications
Include pain relievers, cold medicine, bandages, antibiotic ointment, and allergy medication. The campus health center may be closed on weekends, and a midnight pharmacy run during finals week is miserable.
Pack a basic toolkit: screwdriver, hammer, measuring tape
A small multi-tool or basic toolkit ($10-$15) handles bed assembly, shelf mounting, and furniture adjustments. You'll also become the most popular person on your floor when everyone else needs one.
Bring a laundry bag, detergent pods, and a roll of quarters
Laundry rooms charge $1.50-$3.00 per wash and per dry cycle. Detergent pods are easier to carry than liquid bottles. Some schools now use app-based payment, but keep quarters as backup—machines sometimes go card-only or coin-only.
Move-In Day Logistics
Arrive during your assigned move-in time window
Schools stagger move-in times to reduce elevator wait times and parking chaos. Arriving early or late means competing with others for loading zones. Check your student portal for your specific time slot 1-2 weeks before move-in.
Bring a dolly or rolling cart if the school doesn't provide them
Many schools have rolling carts available for loan on move-in day, but they run out fast. A collapsible hand truck ($30-$40) pays for itself in saved trips. Check if the school provides carts before buying one.
Set up your bed first, then your desk, then everything else
The bed is the largest item and anchors the room layout. Once the bed and desk are placed, you can see how much space remains for storage and personal items. Trying to arrange everything at once leads to chaos in a small room.
Pick up your student ID and meal plan card if not already mailed
Your student ID is your key to everything: building access, meal halls, library, gym, and campus events. Most schools have a dedicated table for ID pickup during move-in. Bring a photo ID and your student number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do most students forget to bring to their dorm?
The most commonly forgotten items are a power strip with surge protection (dorms have notoriously few outlets), shower shoes for communal bathrooms, a mattress topper (dorm mattresses are notoriously thin and uncomfortable), and a basic first aid kit with cold medicine and pain relievers. A fan is frequently overlooked but critical in buildings without air conditioning during the August-September heat. Bring a small toolkit with a screwdriver, hammer, and picture-hanging strips — you'll need it for assembling storage units and hanging decorations.
How much does dorm room setup cost beyond tuition and room fees?
Budget $500-$1,200 for initial dorm setup including bedding, storage organizers, toiletries, school supplies, a small fridge (or rental fee), and basic decor. Mini fridges cost $80-$150 to buy or $60-$100 per semester to rent through university-approved vendors. Coordinate with your roommate before purchasing shared items like the microwave, mini fridge, and rug to avoid duplicates — a quick text or email exchange can save both of you $100-$200.
What items are typically banned in college dorms?
Most dorms prohibit open-coil appliances (toasters, hot plates, space heaters with exposed elements), candles and incense, halogen lamps, extension cords without surge protection, and weapons including airsoft guns. Some schools ban tapestries and string lights unless they're LED and UL-listed, due to fire code regulations. Check your specific university's residential life website for the exact prohibited items list — violating fire safety rules typically results in a $50-$200 fine and confiscation on first offense.
Should I ship items ahead or bring everything on move-in day?
Shipping 3-5 boxes via UPS or FedEx to the campus mailroom ($50-$150 total) reduces the chaos of move-in day and is especially worthwhile if you're flying to campus or driving a small car. Most universities accept packages at the campus mail center starting 1-2 weeks before move-in — confirm the shipping address and delivery window with residential life before sending. Amazon and Target offer dorm pickup services where you order online and collect boxes from a campus location on move-in day, eliminating shipping costs entirely.