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The #1 Way to Simplify College Move-In
It's the time of year when college students and their families gear up for the annual migration to campus. The back-to-school season marks a thrilling time for students to start or return to college. However, amidst the excitement and anticipation, there is the daunting task of moving in: packing your entire life, hauling your possessions, and settling into a new place. It can be overwhelming and challenging, especially for freshmen and their parents who are new to the process. But what if we told you that we can make college move-in easy and stress-free with our "Ship to School" service? Read on to learn more.
The Typical College Move-In
Every year, hundreds of thousands of students move into college campuses across the country. The process involves packing and organizing all of your essentials, including furniture, clothing, bedding, electronics, toiletries, room decor, and more. You might have limited space in your vehicle, and also, driving across states or long distances isn't easy or practical, especially if you have a small car. Many families end up renting larger vehicles or even trucks to suit their needs — only increasing the cost of moving in.
Moreover, move-in day typically means long lines of cars backed up around campus, waiting for elevators, and hauling and carrying heavy boxes and luggage. Many dorm buildings don’t even have elevators, and that means figuring out how to get all of your belongings up the stairs. Then comes the time spent unpacking these items and getting everything set up. By now, you are already exhausted and likely spending your last moments with your family dealing with this daunting task of moving in.
The Solution?
The #1 way to simplify college move-in is the Storage Scholars “Ship to School” service. Firstly, it makes the move-in process much easier, as you don't have to worry about transporting everything yourself. You can ship anything from a few boxes to your entire dorm room, depending on your needs. Additionally, once your items arrive on campus, you won't have to drag them along during the move-in day, making the process faster and more efficient. Using “Ship to School” enables you to pack up and send your items to school in advance, so move-in day is spent exploring your new campus and enjoying this bittersweet time with your family. When you step through the door to your dorm, your items will be waiting in your room for you. What could be better than that?
How it Works
- First, we ship you the supplies. We will send a bundle of empty boxes along with tape and prepaid return shipping labels to your home.
- Then, you will pack your items in the boxes, seal them up, and ship them back to us over the summer months. If you order more items for school from online retailers, you may put our address in for your order rather than your own.
- We will receive your boxes and any other packages you send to us and store them for the rest of the summer. You will let us know the day of your arrival on campus. Using our partnership with your school, we have access to your dorm room and will deliver your items before you arrive. So, when you open the door on move-in day, everything will be waiting for you.
Answering Your Questions
Here are answers to a few of the common Ship to School questions that we receive.
What if I don’t use all of the boxes that you send in the bundle?
That’s okay! Please recycle or repurpose any unneeded boxes or tape. The charges for the shipping labels only get added to your account if they are scanned by FedEx.
What happens if I need more boxes?
At any point, you are welcome to go back to our website and order additional kits of boxes, tape, and prepaid shipping labels. Keep in mind that all items sent back to us after the first 5 will incur a $50 fee per item.
Where are my items stored after I ship them?
All items are stored in temperature-controlled, security-monitored storage facilities. These locations are not provided for security purposes.
Do you offer this service at my school?
We currently offer Ship to School at the following campuses:
- Elon University
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona
- Franklin and Marshall College
- Georgetown University - Law & Main Campuses
- James Madison University
- Ohio University
- Stetson University
- Villanova University
- Wake Forest University
- Washington and Lee University
College move-in doesn't have to be challenging. With our "Ship to School" service, we can make the process easy, stress-free, and safe. Students can focus on what matters most – starting their college journey and getting the most out of it. Check out our website today to learn more about our service and how we can help you make the most out of your college move-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to handle college move-in?
The single biggest simplifier is having your stuff already in your room when you arrive. Ship-to-school and door-to-door storage services make this possible—your belongings are delivered to your dorm before move-in day, so you skip the car-packing, the road trip, the elevator lines, and the parking chaos entirely. Storage Scholars offers Key Access partnerships with many colleges, meaning our team can deliver directly into your room before you even set foot on campus. You show up, unpack, and you're done.
What happens on college move-in day?
You'll check in at your assigned time, get your room key and ID card, then have a window (usually 30-90 minutes) to unload your vehicle and get everything to your room. Expect crowded hallways, long elevator waits, and a lot of families navigating narrow corridors with oversized items. After unloading, most schools have a welcome session or orientation activities. The students who have the smoothest experience are the ones who packed strategically—clearly labeled boxes that go directly where they belong, essentials accessible first, and furniture assembly tools on hand.
How can parents make college move-in less stressful?
Ship what you can ahead of time so the car isn't packed floor-to-ceiling. Bring a basic toolkit (screwdriver, hammer, pliers, measuring tape) for bed risers and shelf assembly. Pack a cooler with water and snacks—you'll be working in August heat and campus dining might not be open yet. Set expectations: the room will look tiny and chaotic for the first few hours, and that's normal. The best thing parents can do is help set up, take a campus walk, and let the student start settling in on their own terms.
What should I unpack first on move-in day?
Start with bedding—making your bed immediately gives you a functional space to sit, organize, and sleep that night. Next, set up your desk area (laptop, charger, desk lamp) so you have a work station. Then toiletries and shower supplies since you'll need them that evening. Everything else—decorations, extra storage, organizing your closet—can wait until the next day. The first-night essentials are: made bed, working phone charger, toiletries accessible, and a set of clothes for tomorrow. Don't try to make the room perfect on day one.
Set a reminder to sign up for storage!
We’ll remind you to sign up when it gets closer to your winter and summer break!
This article is part of our College Move-In & Move-Out guide
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