I’m a new freshman, and I’m not exactly sure how move-in day typically works. My family is too busy with work, school, and etc. to help me out, but I understand. It’s my first time moving on my own, and it’s most nerve wracking trying to do it myself. I typically saw online a lot students usually have a bunch of their family members help them, but not many that I’ve seen moved by themselves. Any advice from those who experienced moving on campus by themselves? How do you handle carrying all your stuff from your car by yourself? How do you set up your room first?
For freshmen, the school may have upperclassman volunteers around to help. If you haven’t received any information about move in procedures, it’s OK to ask Residence Life any questions you may have.
My suggestions are:
Message your roommate and try to arrive at a similar time so you can decide how to set up furniture together. You can also decide to share expenses on some items in the room, like a fridge, rug, fan, etc.
Pack enough stuff to get by until your first trip home (usually Thanksgiving, maybe sooner if you live close by). You don’t need everything for a whole year on move-in day if you can get stuff from home later. Similarly, if you take winter clothes home during spring break, you won’t have to move them out at the end of the year.
My school is a bit different, they don’t tell you who your roomate is because of privacy reasons 
So, I’ll be meeting my roomate on move-in day though.
Will you be driving yourself or taking public transit?
At lots of schools when you get to your dorm on move in day, there are older students there to help unload cars and carry stuff. When you pull up to the dorm, just let them know you are on your own and they will tell you the best way to handle it. Don’t over pack. You can pick up more stuff next time you are home.
Just curious— when will you be moving in?
I’m just surprised to read of a school that hasn’t started yet.
The UC’s will be starting soon. They are on the quarter system.
Drexel doesn’t start for another week.
Call the housing office, or email. Explain the situation. There will probably be upperclassmen who will help move your things into your room. AT the very least, the housing office might be able to help find a volunteer to help you.
It makes sense to get your bed set up first, as bedding items are bulky. Then you can also put things on your bed to make floor space. Get as much into the closet as you can, and sort those things out later. Ideally, you want to have a bunch of stuff on hangers already, because you can just lift it right onto the rail. Then put things under your bed that you won’t be using as much. Hopefully you have some under-bed storage containers with things such as extras sheets and towels, etc… Save the little things like desk items, etc… for last.
A good trick that worked for my son was to put clothes on hangers and then put a rubberband around the top and a garbage bag slipped over the clothes. It make it really easy to “unpack”. Also, at least at our school and most of his friends schools, there were upper classman and people helping with carts, etc. Good luck!!
My DS moved in ahead of the general freshman move in day and there were still volunteers around to help. You wont have to do it alone. Try to be organized when you pack and it will be easier to put things away. We started by putting his clothes away and left the bed for last, since we were putting the suitcase there to unload. Your school may have luggage carts or laundry carts to use. We didn’t see any at DS’s school. We started off by getting his key and then taking the luggage with wheels first. Help arrived and we did the rest in one trip.
We hung up clothes in the wardrobe and then folded stuff for the drawers, I placed his self care and cleaning/laundry items in separate bins in the top of the wardrobe. We stored the empty bags under the bed. DS said he would organize his hanging clothing later night to pass the time. Bring command hooks and make things convenient for your self.
If there is a Walmart/Target nearby you don’t have to bring everything and can leave some items for a shopping trip with others.
I’ll be driving myself, and yea, my school is also on the quarter system as well. I’m pretty sure quarter system schools start in September or October, and those on semester systems start in August, but correct me if I’m wrong though. I’m moving in this week, actually!
@bjkmom , as the OP notes, quarter system schools start late September. I went to one of these and felt like I had the world to myself for a month!
Good luck, @Flufferusky !
My freshman roommate moved herself in. She actually flew in, so what she did was to pack everything and have it shipped except for a couple of suitcases. Since you’re driving yourself, you can eliminate that if you need to (and her one problem - she had trouble finding transportation from the airport to the dorm).
I would give the housing a call to find out how they would prefer you handle it. But, at my alma mater, frat guys usually will unload cars for service hours. Either you will park your car and a bunch of cute guys will unload it for you, or you will be in a long line of cars and a bunch of cute guys will unload it for you and you go park your car. Either way, most of your stuff will most likely get carried up to your room for you.
Don’t most universities include this information in a move-in packet?
For my college, most of the information in my move-in packet, consisted of what to bring, a specific time frame to move-in, the date, and information about the campus, but not much of what happens on the actual move-in day, since everyone’s schedule is different. I’m guessing each school is different, though.
Consider buying a small folding hand truck. Picture a L with wheels. About $30. Pack everything in boxes/suitcase that can be stacked. This way you are not carrying anything. This only works if you do not have any stairs to climb. Also wait time for the elevators can be excessive.
Look at the schools website to see how they handle move-in. Some schools have helpers. Some require that you quickly unload the car putting everything in a large pile and then moving the car. Some allow you to leave the car parked and unload for a set time period. If you are doing this solo just talk to the person managing the parking lot and ask for more time. Be aware that that might say no.
Since you are going solo. pack the bare minimum. Then make additional trips home to bring up the rest.