Whether your last college move-in was last year or in the 1980s, things have changed. To help your smooth launch and landing, I’m sharing tips from an out-of-state move-in at University of Colorado-Boulder on August 15, 2022. All of this data is super fresh and all of our recommendations are in stock on Amazon as of August 17, 2022 so you won’t be chasing “out of stock” links if you act quickly. I have included pricing as of time of posting…this is subject to change.

Now, you need to be ready - college move-in is not for wimps. As the parent of three college students who has prepared for six separate back-to-schools in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Colorado since January 2021, I’ve accumulated all the pro tips to share with you to make move-in easy breezy and tear-free (at least until you hug goodbye). Keep in mind if this is The Hunger Games, you need to channel Katniss. This is not the time to clutch your cat like sweet Primrose or cry like Mrs. Everdeen, you need to morph into warrior mode. Let’s start with what you’ll need when you’re dropped into the arena - in this case -the campus.

I’m going to assume that you have a checklist - they are readily available - here’s a link to a comprehensive college packing list- steer clear of the lists provided by retailers - they will convince you that you need more than you actually do. I’m going to take you step-by-step through the move-in day. Make sure to read all the school’s e-mails about appointment time, permits, parking etc to ensure a smooth opening.

BEFORE YOU GO If you can’t fit your load in your car, or carry it yourselves to airport check-in, you’ve brought too much. Dorm rooms are SMALL. Better to bring too little than too much. Remember, it’s all coming home, because throwing it in a dumpster in May is not eco-friendly.  Pre-load your student’s shipping address into your Amazon account so you can make a list of missing items while you’re in the room. Trust me, if your student’s school has an enrollment of more than 2,000 students, you do not want to set foot in a Bed, Bath & Beyond or Target within 10 miles of the campus.

MOVE IN-MVP "IKEA" style zip top bags set of 4 $29.95 Literally these are the most important things you can buy. Sturdy enough for airport check-in, malleable for car-packing, and lightweight enough to easily carry when the move-in carts are all inevitably already in-use. Make sure to tie a bow on the bag with all the bedding in it because you’ll open that one first. Big bonus they fold up into nothing to store under your bed or on a high closet shelf so your student has them for move-out at the end of the year.

TOP PRIORITY MOVE-IN DAY

BED SET UP If you do this first, you have a surface from which to work and it’s literally the foundation of your student’s existence. Even if they’re not sleeping a full 8 hours a night (or 12 like they may have during summer vacation), they will likely be using their bed not only for rest, but also as a de-facto reading or laptop site. Which brings us to…

BED HEIGHT We’ve found that among the three choices at most schools, the “captain height” or “partial-loft” is the best option. A low bed wastes the valuable vertical space for storage below and a high loft is not conducive to sitting propped up to read or work on a laptop or tablet. Not to mention, it’s not easy to get that flattering SnapChat selfie angle from the loft.

FROM THE BOTTOM UP:

MATTRESS COVER It’s best not to think about the history of your student’s mattress. Let’s just put some space between your sweet child and what’s likely to be a rather storied soft good.  Every time possible, I’ll suggest a small business brand, eco-friendly or organic option.

Got You Covered: Twin XL Bamboo Padded Mattress Cover $29.90 good basic - eco-bamboo

And Comfy: 3" Bamboo Charcoal Mattress Topper $106.99 2” might not be enough padding and 4” makes it difficult to get fitted sheets on so we vote for 3” if you want to add a layer of padding onto the supplied mattress

Pay Up for the Planet and Made in the USA Happsy Organic Mattress Cover $279 Made in the USA absolutely no foam, synthetics certified organic

SHEET SET We’re going to go with the assumption that college students may not be meticulous about their laundry sorting and that the possession of chlorine bleach in a dorm could lead to bad chemistry experiments, and suggest that you select mid-tone colors for your bed sheets. Otherwise, you can guarantee that white sheets will turn grey and dark sheets will be covered in lint. Perhaps remind your darling daughter or son about cleaning the lint filter before drying. They may not register that they could burn the building down, but they will likely respond to the idea of faster dry time when it has been cleaned.

Basic Sheet Set $14.99 Lots of color and pattern choices and seller is “climate pledge friendly”

Sleeping Beauty Vegan Satin Pillowcases $12.99 Save beautification time on game day if you protect your hair - and skin - with a satin pillowcase - this brand is vegan and comes with an eye-mask and scrunchie

Up the Thread Count 300 Thread Count Sheet Set $62.99 Have a Prince or Princess and the Pea situation? These are fancy-hotel level sheets in dreamy mid-tone colors. Another small business

WEDGE College bed frames are notorious for the wedge between the mattress and the wall which makes sitting up difficult and pillows can disappear into the gap or onto the bunk below. Here’s some solutions to “mind the gap.”

Basic Bolster $29.99 pillow case sold separately $7.99 

A Hug from Home Back Rest Pillow $39.99 soft and furry - can fill in the bed gap and perhaps cure homesickness with cozy hug from the pillow arms

Reading Pillow - Headboard Vibes Rectangular Bed Pillow / Headboard $98.99 this actually looks like a headboard but also provides back support and take care of the lost pillow problem - it’s a nice choice for young men or women 

Once the bed’s set up, it’s time to tackle the walls - most importantly, places to hand wet towels, coats, backpacks, etc. - 

ON THE WALLS

Second MVP for Move-In Command Strips $17.79 for multi-pack - These are so often sold out around college campuses that- trust me- you need to buy the mega-pack and trade them like cigarettes in a prison yard. Not that I’m suggesting that any of you lovely readers use nicotine products or have done time, it’s just a simile. ;) Keep an eye on the weight load especially when hanging mirrors or framed items - better safe than sorry and read the directions carefully as there is some setting time to make sure that they hold tight.

Push Pins Clear Push Pins $5.99 This one I didn’t see coming and on the first day of move-in I found the last remaining package at the Walgreen’s 4 miles from CU campus. This was the first dorm room I’ve seen with a nice full wall cork board next to the beds so it’s really easy to hang posters, lights, etc. This is actually a great example of finding someone who has lived in your exact dorm the year before, or a check-in with your roommate or friend in the same dorm who might have moved in before you, to give you advice on nuances in your room. 

Full Length Mirror Door or Wall Mount $63.99 It’s hard to know if your doors will support an overhang for mirrors (or if your closet even will have doors - some definitely do not) so this is a great option that can be used over a door, mounted on the wall with lots of heavy-duty command strips, or leaned against the wall. This may be one item that you will want to grab in person due to fragile nature - if so, try Home Depot instead of a traditional college shop for less chaos on campus.

Chic + Sturdy Wall Hooks Large Adhesive Wall Hooks $9.99 for 8 pack - Here I suggest a break from the 3M brand as their wall hooks are not attractive or particularly well-designed in the larger sizes - these are stylish and hold up to 22lbs.

Super Heavy Duty Hook up to 37lbs $9.99 for 10 pack - This is a good choice for back-packs or winter coats

KEEP IT CLEAN

LAUNDRY Let’s hope you started early on laundry survival skills but just in case not, I have some favorite laundry products that are environmentally-conscious. I like to avoid the heavy liquids, wasteful plastic and any petroleum products, so here are some great options:

LIVE GREEN DEEP CLEAN Charlie's Powder $12.99 I use this at home and swear by it - 50 loads should get them through the first semester at .26/load

PODS OPTION NO MICROPLASTICS Molly's Laundry Pods Peppermint  I prefer to measure my own but one can’t deny the convenience of pre-portioned pods - this is a good compromise - not toxic like the mainstream pods but no need to bring more than what you need to the laundry room. The link is for peppermint - there is also an unscented option - HOWEVER, we do hear from our college friends that some college laundry rooms have a smell that never leaves your clothes so for this…

SCENT BEADS Downy Fresh Scent Beads $10.94 Definitely not organic or small biz, but sometimes you just have to go with the heavy artillery - this tip comes from our U-Michigan friend who lives in the dorm with the football team. I’m pretty sure that they don’t do their own laundry but their post-workout scent likely infiltrates even the laundry room.

KEEP IT SAFE (+ QUIET + COOL)

LOCK IT UP Fingerprint Padlock with key backup $69.50 

THE “CHEAPER CHICKEN” basic LOCK Master Lock $13.49

WHITE NOISE MACHINE DOHM classic sound machine $77.94 Not gonna name any names but SOMEONE in our home might snore and this is literally the best thing that’s ever happened in our home…the gold standard for drowning out snoring or dorm noise.

SURGE PROTECTOR Extension cord / power strip / USB ports $26.9
EXTENSION CORD 10ft Extension Cord $16.63

FAN 42" fan $89.99 

TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY LIFE

COOL TECH  all college-kid approved - favorite brands, tech they actually use

ASK ALEXA NOT MOM Echo Show 5 $39.99 alarm clock, digital picture frame + meterologist all-in-one

YOU DON’T NEED A TV  Desk Monitor with Blue Light Shift $134.99 college kids get Six months of Amazon Prime Free so load ‘em up with a monitor and the subscription and it’s movie night or game time when they need a much-deserved study break

TUNE TIME JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker $99.95

DESK LAMP WITH CHARGING PORT  LED adjustable neck Lamp/Caddy $24.99

DON’T FORGET THE STYLE

LITERALLY THE BEST BOY ROOM COLLEGE RUG EVER 4X6 fluffy beige rug $27.95

When I found this beauty on Amazon last year, I vowed to buy these in bulk and sell them for $100 each in front of my son’s college dorm next year to pay for his tuition. You never know what size rug will fit, but if you’re in a tight room - this is the answer - soft and fluffy for your feet and your hallmates to sit on (and padded enough that a sleeping bag on top of it is a suitable extra “bed” for a visitor) - the beige color blends with all decors but hides stains or lint - it’s absolutely perfect.

ROOMIER ROOM RUG 8x10 fun fashion fluffy rug $109.99 Fun colors, soft and cozy

8x10 shag ombre rug  $109.99

AND MY FAVORITE PICKS FOR THE SHOWER CADDY + BATH

HALL BATHROOM LIFE Natori Soho Short Robe $58 Perfect length, quick dry, not bulky

SHOWER CADDY Mesh Lightweight Caddy $12.99

DETANGLING BRUSH Wet Brush set of 2 $12.52 

ALUMINUM FREE DEODORANT Native Brand $12.97

ECO-FRIENDLY HAIR + BODY Honest Company Hair + Body $21.99

LIP CARE Laneige Lip Mask $24 It’s called “sleeping” mask for your lips but there is nothing better awake or asleep - if your student is in a dry environment (well basically every college dorm is like the Sahara), cold, stressed or being treated with Accutane or another dehydrating medication this is a lip- and life-saver.

DRY SHAMPOO Perfect Hair Day $30 Maybe there’s a line for the shower and someone need to get to class…done!

FINAL WORDS FOR DROP-OFF DAY

As much as you can prepare in advance, do so. Don’t forget a Leatherman or Swiss Army knife to open boxes, cut off tags, etc. If you can take things out of boxes or plastic bags and put them in the “Ikea” style carry totes that will be helpful to not accumulate too much garbage in the room. Also - it might be raining - and the plastic bags will protect your soft goods. It’s a good idea to bring a garbage or recycling bag along so you can carry out any packaging materials to the dumpster/recycling center and not leave full bins in the new room. As much as we believe in our pre-cleaning crews, paper towels and wipes are never a bad idea. Keep all your receipts or buy on Amazon so returns are easy as you will inevitably bring too much. Take some photos of your baby bird in their new nest. Your job here is done, Katniss - it’s time to trust that you’ve set up your (former) baby to SOAR in the arena. It’s their turn.  Now, you can go home and cuddle your cat…or preferably dog.   

xoxo, Jane

This blog was published in conjunction with the Amazon Associate program and is a paid partnership.