7 Tips To Make Moving Into Your Dorm Room Easy
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July 29th, 2025
When you’re gathering textbooks, reviewing your syllabus, and picking college essentials, preparing to move to school can be overwhelming. Whether you’re heading to the dorms or a college apartment, getting organized early can make everything much easier. We'll show you how with these seven easy tips if you need storage for college students!
1. Start Early and Create a Move-In Checklist
One of the biggest mistakes students make is waiting until the last minute to pack. To make moving easier, start early and make a list of everything you need to do.
How Early Should You Start?
When it comes to moving tips and tricks, it’s best to start packing two to three weeks before you have to move to school. Begin by sorting your things into keeping and storing groups. If you work on small areas each day, like your closet or desk, it will make moving a lot easier and help you avoid last-minute rushing.
Essential Items for Your Move-In Checklist
Checklists can help you stay organized when you're moving into college. Make sure to include items like clothes and shoes, electronics and chargers, school supplies, bedding and linens, documents, and toiletries. If you have any kitchen items in your dorm, add those to your list, too.
2. Declutter Before Packing
Before you even touch a box, take the time to declutter at home. You’ll be amazed at how many things you’ve collected that you don’t actually need. Recycle old papers and toss anything broken or unnecessary. By downsizing now, you’ll save space in your college boxes for the belongings that matter and need their own storage space.
3. Invest in the Right Packing Supplies
Having the right packing supplies makes a huge difference in streamlining your college move-in process. If you use easily breakable boxes, tape that isn’t sticking enough, or don’t know how to properly pack your items, your belongings could get broken or even lost.
Must-Have Supplies for Dorm Room Moves
You’ll need strong moving boxes, packing tape to seal everything up, and Bubble Wrap to cushion delicate items. We also recommend grabbing some markers to label your boxes and Ziplock bags to hold small items.
How To Pack Fragile Items
If you have expensive electronics you need to take to school, it’s important to pack them properly for future use. To do so, wrap them in Bubble Wrap or soft clothes to shield them from bumps and jostles while moving.
You should also place heavier items at the bottom of boxes and lighter, delicate items on top. Don’t forget to label each box as fragile when necessary to avoid any damage during the move.
4. Pack Strategically
Trying to pack for college in one sweep can feel impossible and lead to burnout or procrastination. Instead, pack one area of your bedroom back home at a time to make it a more manageable task.
Benefits of Packing by Zone
Packing one area at a time, like your closet or desk, is a smart way to stay organized. It helps you focus on one small part instead of getting overwhelmed by everything at once. When you pack by zone, you’re less likely to forget items because you’re making sure each spot is finished before moving on.
Labeling and Inventory Tips
To make everything easier for you when unpacking, it’s best to have everything labeled and a checklist of what was packed. Make sure that every box is clearly labeled with what’s inside and where those contents should go when you move back home. You’ll thank yourself for this when you realize you won’t have to rummage through every box to find something.
5. Arrange for School Storage Early
If you need additional space while you’re at college, finding a place to store your belongings should be one of the first things you do. Don’t wait too long to secure your space, however, because storage facilities near your school often fill up quickly as everyone comes back from summer break.
Why You Need Student Storage
Student storage is an easy way to keep your things near campus until you need them again. Dorm rooms and college apartments often have limited space, so if you need a dedicated spot for sports gear, musical instruments, or extra clothes, self storage can help.
Choosing the Right Storage Solution
When picking a place to store your things, look for a storage facility that offers climate-controlled storage units to reduce the risk of damage from heat. For additional peace of mind, look for security measures like digital video recording cameras that track activity at the property. Your storage facility should also have flexible rental plans, so you can rent for as long as you need.
6. Prepare a Dorm Room Toolkit
Having a dorm room toolkit ready can make your move-in so much easier. You'll avoid scrambling to borrow tools at the last minute or trying to put together furniture with your bare hands.
What To Include in Your Dorm Room Toolkit
When it's time to move in, a dorm room toolkit can save you a lot of stress. A basic kit should include flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, duct tape, a measuring tape, scissors, zip ties, a small hammer, and Allen wrenches. Pack all these tools in a small, easy-to-carry bag so you can quickly grab what you need.
Why Having Tools on Hand Saves Time
Having the right tools makes moving in a lot easier. You can take apart furniture, remove wall hooks, and even fix small holes in the walls.
7. Plan Your Moving Day Carefully
Everyone knows how chaotic a moving day can be, especially if you don’t plan ahead. For your peace of mind, create a clear plan for the day so you’re not running around campus or forgetting any necessary steps.
Dorm Room Mover or DIY?
When you’re planning your move-in, you have two choices. You can hire a professional dorm room mover, which costs more money. Alternatively, you can move everything yourself, which saves money but takes more planning. If you decide to move on your own, ask friends or family for help early and make a schedule for packing, loading, and cleaning your room.
Make Moving in Easy With FreeUp Storage
If you need student storage for when you head back to college, FreeUp Storage can make your move-in easy! We have clean personal storage units perfect for college students who need more room during the semester. Contact us online to rent or reserve your storage unit today!
The FreeUp Storage Blog