Your child has chosen their college – and now the fun part begins! Planning, packing and preparing for move-in day. Now, before dorm overwhelm sets in, let’s avoid the chaos with a foolproof plan that keeps stress low and excitement high!

Our family has moved two kids into four dorms over the years. Kid #1 is a gamer, who loves figurines, Squishmallows and anything quirky. Kid #2 exudes girly maximalism, TikTok trends and anything pink. They’ve moved into dorms small enough that roommates could hold hands and touch either wall, single dorms with tons of space, and a modern double room with a suite bathroom. We’ve seen it all and adjusted to each. Dorm overhwelm is real – and we know what you’re going through.

Part of easing the transition between living at home and moving into a dorm is to make decisions together. And don’t get me wrong: the transition can be hard on the student, but even harder on the parent. Working together to make their home-away-from-home as comfortable, functional and well-equipped as possible can make both parties feel more at ease.

First, let’s figure out what we’re dealing with. Once you’ve decided on a dorm, we can get to work. Find the dimensions and the furniture that comes with the room. In some dorms, every piece is moveable. In others, some are connected to each other – or the wall. Get the lay of the land in a couple of ways:

Tip 1: Measure Up

Do a deep dive on your student’s college website. Sometimes you’ll find exact dimensions of rooms, which can be especially helpful in older dorms where every room is slightly different. You’ll also see sample rooms with furniture setups. With especially tough rooms (and my daughter had one of those this year), it’s good to try to plan things out in advance. I made a scale model on notebook paper of the quirky room and all the furniture that goes in it. I know. It’s a lot. BUT – it gave us an idea of what we were walking into and the very few configurations that might work. It also helps you understand, for example, how much wall space will be empty, and where decor may go. Knowing the numbers heps keep dorm overwhelm at bay – at least for a while.

Tip 2: Join the Club

Join the “Your Student’s College, Class of XX Parents” Facebook page.  The information there can be invaluable. You’ll also get a lot of info you don’t need or want, but parents (like you) who are this into dorm planning will be the exact ones who take photos so you can get a good look at what to expect. It’s also helpful to check throughout the school year for parents weekend info, what’s happening on campus and more. It can help start conversations with your student and solve problems before they start.

Tip 3: Major in Communications

Communicate with the future roommate to decide the basics (Are we bunking our beds? Do you care if your bed is against a wall?) and to figure out the move-in schedule. Two students, potentially four parents and two carloads full of stuff makes even the biggest room feel small. It might seem fun to move in at the same time, but logistically, it’s a nightmare, even if you’re in a modern dorm with two bedrooms. Choose different move-in times, if possible, to make this easier.

Tip 4: Buy the Big Blue Bags

I saved the best for last. It might be hyperbole, but the greatest thing you will ever buy are these big blue bags. I could write a haiku about them, I love them so much. You’ll see 75% of parents using these guys on move-in day. Why? They’re huge, they’re almost indestructible, and because of their shape, they stack neatly on dollies. And a six pack for $25 is a bargain. Plus they fold up into a tiny square for you to store until move-out day in the spring.

Do not forget this part: label each bag with masking tape that includes your kid’s name, dorm and room number. At some schools for first-year move-in day, the move-in crew will descend on you like a pack of wild animals, grab these bags and be off before you can say anything. We also would add a general description of the contents (bedding, odds & ends, clothing) so we knew what to unpack first.

Quick aside here: for people who think this much planning is all a little over the top, I say this. Your student will be spending the majority of their time in this room. Their comfort and success starts with a well-planned dorm. This isn’t about decorations and knick knacks. It’s about creating the best environment for them to feel independent and confident. 

Stay tuned for more dorm coverage! And check out my Amazon storefront for dorm essentials to steer clear of dorm overwhelm.