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Chaos, crowded cars, and cardboard boxes—these are the things that come to mind when you think about Move-in Day. Arguably one of the most stressful times for college students and parents alike, the transition to residential hall life can be eased with a few key items and some advice from returning DU students who have been there, done that.

Less is more

Aidan Cullen, a rising senior with majors in psychology and marketing, finds that extra bins and containers are helpful tools for keeping a tidy area.

He says, “Storage is really useful. I ended up amassing a bunch of little things over the course of the year, like more clothes or little trinkets. So be prepared for whatever you come with—you will leave with a lot more of it.”

With ��so many shops and markets close to campus, like Show Pony Vintage Clothing or the weekly —where you can find unique clothes, accessories, and gadgets—it’s no wonder the extra space is going to be needed.

Vidhi Jain, a rising senior majoring in accounting with a minor in business ethics and legal studies, agrees and also suggests students bring more storage compartments.

She says, “If I could go back, I would bring more organizational stuff and fewer knick-knacks in the beginning because there was less room than I was expecting—and I forgot key essentials that I later had to buy.”

Organize, organize, organize!��

Shivani Durvasula, a rising senior majoring in strategic communications with minors in marketing and writing practices, recommends bringing more containers to save space.

“I would bring more organizational supplies. Having compartments for writing utensils and extra bins helped me organize my belongings, so it didn't feel like there were just piles of stuff everywhere,” she says.

All of the first-year are equipped with some furniture, including a dresser, bed, mini-fridge, microwave, desk, and chair, but having additional bins are always helpful, Durvasula says.��

“It's nice for things to have a place. The first week after I moved in, I felt like there were random piles of clutter. I wish that I had known to bring supplies that could help make my room feel more open and cleaner.”

Extra containers—which can easily fit under the tall beds or closet spaces inside any of the residence hall rooms—are great for putting away seasonal clothes like heavy winter jackets, extra sheets, cleaning supplies, and additional items that are important but not used on a daily basis.��

To help minimize trips back and forth, Owen Mantelli, a rising junior with majors in political science and minors in leadership studies and media, film, and journalism studies, says a wagon makes a “wheel” difference.��

He says, “A wagon is going to be very useful for getting everything up to your room, and it can get hectic in the room with your family and your roommate's family, so just be patient and try to enjoy it!”

Make your house a home

Tatiana Peccedi, a rising senior majoring in environmental science with minors in GIS and environmental chemistry, wishes she had brought more decorations to make her space feel more like her own.

She says, “I hadn't planned or prepared many items that I could use to decorate my room. After finishing the majority of my room set-up, I felt like it was missing something to make it feel unique and personal.”

Having a comfortable area to come back to after a long day of classes helps decompress.

“Eventually, I ended up collaging some décor, which I put up on my wall throughout the school year,” Peccedi says.

Of course, putting up all of those posters, prints, and cutouts requires tools and adhesive.

Kendall Welborn, a rising junior with a major in public policy and minors in international relations, history, and business ethics and legal studies, says that everyday scissors are a key item to have on hand to help with this and additional move-in tasks.

She says, “I would definitely bring more scissors, I feel like I had one pair of scissors, but I always needed like five, so that's my number one item I would bring.”

Opening boxes, cutting through shrink-wrapped plastic, tape, zip ties, and packing material all seem like a given, but with the hectic energy of move-in, it is easy to misplace the one item that can help with these projects. Bring extra scissors to avoid this rookie mistake.

These items and more can help simplify the move-in process and make it an enjoyable, memorable experience for everyone. But all these juniors and seniors agree, the most important things to bring are a calm mindset and lots of patience.��