I Can’t Believe I Made This Annoying College Move-In Mistake (Here’s How to Avoid It!)

I thought I was so on top of my game before I moved into my freshman dorm in August of 2020. I was eager to create a space that was entirely different from the childhood bedroom I decorated when I was 5 years old, so I started shopping for my dorm room before I even graduated high school. 

When move-in day came, I was so excited to begin the process, I started unboxing the first roll of peel-and-stick wallpaper before the car was in park. I signed up to move in on the first day available to give myself a week to get settled, though I hadn’t anticipated needing that much time. 

Once we got into my double room, my mom and I did the fun stuff first, like making the drab dorm walls unrecognizable, while my dad did the less glamorous tasks of lofting the bed and building a desk chair. 

By the end of the day, my half of the room looked great, but my desk, windows, and snack shelves were bare. I didn’t have a hamper to toss my dirty clothes in. My room looked good, but it didn’t feel like home yet: It was TikTok-ready, but there were many holes that made it seem almost unlivable. My parents and I realized that in the excitement of decorating, we glossed over some of the most important items to prepare me for my new life as a college student.

Over the course of move-in week, we made at least one trip to Target each day. My mom was careful to make a list of the dorm room essentials I needed, like curtains, more Command strips, and pencils, but we kept forgetting things and having to go back to the store.  

I now realize it makes the most sense to spend the early days focusing on the practical things you need right when you move in (it helps to make a list before move-in day!). I know the “fun” stuff is more exciting, but you will be much happier with a comfortable living space that you can decorate slowly over the course of a few weeks or even months. 

Waiting to completely decorate can also give you the opportunity to gauge what will actually fit in your space. In those first few days, I felt like I over-decorated. Who knew that was possible! I had too many decorative pillows to the point that making my bed was a struggle, and we over-estimated how many storage carts one actually needs (spoiler alert: It’s not more than one). 

That being said, there are some decorating tasks that would be a much more to do after you fully move in. For example, the rug my roommate and I chose was big enough to fit under both of our beds, so that had to go down first. If we had waited until all of our stuff was in the room, it would have been a nightmare to unroll. 

Before you head to college, think about your favorite snacks, organization essentials, and preferred school supplies with just as much careful consideration as the decorative pieces. And buy what you can ahead of time: It’s likely that the stores on and around campus will be bare by the second day of move-in week. I remember walking through Bed Bath & Beyond with my mom in horror at the empty shelves. 

If I could do it all over again, I would thoughtfully consider the furniture and storage I would want to have to make my freshman dorm livable and comfortable, not just picture-perfect. If you plan ahead, you’ll save the time of making countless trips to the store, and be able to settle in with ease. 

This article is part of Dorm Therapy’s Start Here Guide to Moving onto Campus. Check it out for all of our advice for your first days at school!