Move into a college dorm without forgetting the essentials – or buying two of everything. This College Dorm Move-In & Packing Checklist is a 14-page printable kit that turns a chaotic, expensive move into a calm, organised plan for students and parents alike.

It is built specifically for dorm life, not general house moving: think roommate coordination so you don’t both bring a mini-fridge, category shopping lists sized for a small shared room, a student budget tracker, and a grid to plan your layout before you arrive. Print it once, work through it together, and turn up on move-in day ready.

Move-in season is famously stressful and expensive. Between the endless online shopping lists, the pressure to fit a whole life into a shared room, and a move-in day that often gives you a two-hour window, it is easy to overspend and still forget the essentials. This kit replaces a dozen scattered browser tabs with one clear plan. Work through it a few weeks before you leave, coordinate with your roommate, set a realistic budget, and arrive knowing exactly what you have, what you still need, and where it all goes. It is just as useful the night before as it is a month out: the move-in day timeline keeps everyone calm during that narrow arrival window, the packing list makes sure the day-one essentials come off the car first, and the important-contacts page means your RA, housing office and wifi login are all in one place the moment you walk in. Print it once now and you will reach for it again next year.

What’s included

This is a 14-page digital kit. You get a cover and how-to page plus 13 working pages:

Bedding & Bath Checklist – including the easy-to-forget XL twin sheets
Storage, Desk & Tech Checklist – organisers, lamp, power strip and cables
Laundry, Cleaning & Mini-Kitchen Checklist – the day-to-day basics
Health, Safety & Personal Essentials – first-aid, documents and comforts of home
Roommate Coordination – Who Brings What – split the shared items and confirm them
Dorm Budget Tracker – estimate vs actual, with a paid column
Packing List by Box / Bag – label and prioritise every box
Move-In Day Timeline & Checklist – before you leave, on arrival and setting up
Important Contacts & Info – RA, roommate, housing, security and wifi
Dorm Room Layout Planner – a grid to map furniture and storage
First-Week Checklist – IDs, textbooks, meal plan and finding your feet
Cleaning & Maintenance Schedule – keep a small room fresh
Notes & Reminders – space for everything else

Why you’ll love it

Why students and parents reach for this kit:

Dorm-specific – built for shared, small-space living, not house moving
No duplicate buys – roommate coordination stops two of every big item
Budget control – see estimated versus actual spending as you shop
Nothing forgotten – category checklists cover the easy-to-miss essentials
Calmer move-in day – a timeline for before, during and after arrival
Reusable every year – reprint for sophomore year or the next child heading off

Who it’s for

This kit is for incoming freshmen, returning students and the parents helping them pack. It is perfect for first-time movers who feel overwhelmed by dorm-shopping lists online, and for families who want to control the budget and avoid last-minute panic buys. Coordinate it with a roommate over text and you will both know exactly what to bring.

How to use it

After checkout, print the kit in your chosen size and start with the shopping checklists to build your list room-by-room. Share the Roommate Coordination page with your roommate to divide up the big shared items, track spending on the Budget page, then use the Packing List and Move-In Day Timeline to keep the actual move calm. Sketch your room on the Layout Planner so you know where everything goes before you carry it up three flights of stairs.

One practical tip: measure your space and check your school’s housing rules before you buy, since many dorms cap fridge size and ban certain appliances. Label every box on the Packing List with its priority so the day-one essentials bag comes off the car first, and keep the Important Contacts page in your bag – not buried in a box – so you can reach your RA or housing office the moment you arrive.

Formats & printing

Your download includes two print-ready PDF files – one US Letter (8.5 x 11 in) and one A4 – so it prints anywhere. Pages are high-resolution with clean checkboxes and tables, ideal for ticking off as you shop and pack. There are no watermarks on the pages and no fonts to install – everything is embedded, so the files open and print reliably on Windows, Mac, phones and tablets using any standard PDF reader. Print in black and white to save ink, or in colour for a smarter binder. Because both US Letter and A4 are included in one download, the kit works whether you use Letter or A4 paper – just select 100% or Actual Size, rather than ‘Fit to Page’, so the checklists and tables stay correctly aligned. This is an instant digital download; no physical product will be shipped.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from a general moving checklist?

It is built for dorm life specifically – XL twin bedding, roommate coordination so you don’t duplicate shared items, small-space shopping lists, and a room-layout grid you won’t find in a house-moving binder.

Can my roommate and I share it?

Yes – the Roommate Coordination page is designed for exactly that. Print it, agree who brings what, and tick off the shared items together.

Do I print it or fill it on screen?

This is a print-and-write kit. Print the pages and check off items as you shop and pack.

What paper size is included?

Both US Letter and A4 versions are in the download. Print at 100% / Actual Size for best results.

When can I download it?

Right after checkout – it is an instant digital download.

Can I print at a copy shop or library?

Yes. Take the PDF on a USB stick or your phone to any print shop and ask for 100% / Actual Size on your chosen paper.

Does it list specific brands to buy?

No. It lists categories and essentials so you can choose products that fit your budget and your school’s rules, rather than pushing specific brands.

Is it suitable for UK halls of residence too?

Yes. The checklists apply to shared student accommodation generally, and an A4 version is included for outside the US. Just check your specific hall’s rules.

Can parents and students both use it?

Yes. It is designed to be shared – students build their lists while parents track the budget and coordinate the move.

Is the content original?

Yes. Every checklist, tracker and design is original to pixquo, with no licensed or copyrighted content.

License

For personal use only. Print unlimited copies for your own move. You may not resell, share, or redistribute the files or designs. All artwork and content are original and copyright pixquo.com.

Staying organised all year? Browse more Printable Planners for budgeting and home organisation, or plan the year ahead with our Digital Planners.

freshman checklist

College Dorm Move-In & Packing Checklist