Main image courtesy of YouTube.
As summer comes to a close, it’s time to start thinking about college move in day for the fall semester. Hopefully you’ve had a chance to enjoy the summer by hanging out with friends, catching up on some reading, and maybe even going on a vacation. But as the calendar turns to August, your mind is going to start thinking about moving to your college campus.
You probably have a lot of questions about what to expect from your first move in day, not to mention you’re feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. This is completely normal! You’ve heard from others who have gone through the process that it can be a little overwhelming, but completely doable. And what better way to prepare for your move in day than with some of the best memes and quotes? Take a load off and lighten the mood with these little tidbits of wisdom.
In this article, we’re going to discuss:
- Must-know college move in day advice
- Our favorite college move in day quotes and memes
College move in day advice
Our top tips for making move in day stress free

Before we get to our favorite quotes and memes, we thought it would be helpful to discuss some of the best tips and advice to follow for a hassle-free move.
Be organized
You’ve probably heard it before but we can’t stress enough how important it is to be organized and make lists. Start your college planning and shopping about two months before you plan to move in, that way you’ll have plenty of time to decide what you need, and what you really don’t. Make a checklist for each category, such as bedding, bathroom, electronics, decor, furniture, etc. By breaking your list down into sections, you’ll be less likely to overlook something essential.
It’s also helpful to make a list of items you can pick up once you get to school. Things like notebooks, pens, and detergent are all available either at the campus store or nearby.
Coordinate with your roommate
You’ve probably been in touch with your future roommate(s) over the summer. While it’s a good idea to use the summer before school to get to know each other, it’s also the chance to determine who is bringing what to the dorm room. You don’t want to end up with two fridges or microwaves, so discuss with them over the summer what each of you agree to bring.
You can also coordinate with your future roomie about possibly coordinating the colors of your rooms. Both guys and girls like to do this in advance because it makes the dorm room look more put together. It can even make it appear a little bigger if done the right way!
Consider whether you like a warm, cool, or neutral pallet and go from there. Then discuss what you’d like to coordinate such as:
- Pillows
- Comforters
- Curtains
- Rugs

Bring a dolly/cart
While the college you’re moving into typically provides bins to help students move in, sometimes they’re in short supply. Lots of people are trying to move in on the same day, which means chances are you’re going to have to wait to use a bin. You can avoid all this by bringing your own dolly or cart. Yes, it may take up some space in the car on your way to the campus, but it will certainly be worth it when you can bring all your items up quickly and efficiently on your own time. Look for a dolly that can disassemble and be easily reassembled again if you’re really short on car space.
Pack only for the current season
It’s tempting to pack your entire closet because you’re not sure what you’ll need when you start school. We suggest instead just packing for the current season. By doing this, you’ll save packing space and closet space in your dorm. When you return home for a break, you can swap out the summer and fall seasonal clothes for warmer winter clothes and coats.
It’s also helpful to find ways to maximize the storage space you do have. Use plastic containers to store items under your bed if possible. And over the door storage is a great way to stay organized and keep your dorm clutter-free.

Limit your helpers
Remember, lots of other students are also moving in at this time, so expect it to be crowded and maybe a little chaotic. This is why it’s crucial to limit the amount of helpers you bring on move in day. While lots of friends and family might want to help, having too many people can really cause congestion in a small dorm room. Your roommate will also have their move in crew too! See if you can limit your helpers to two or three people, that way you can knock out the essential tasks in no time.
Now that you know how you should prepare for move in day, it’s time to get inspired (and maybe laugh a little too) because you’ve got this!
College move in day quotes
Our favorite college move in day quotes that just “get’ the whole experience

While moving in can be a little stressful, hopefully you’re prepared with a plan to do it as smoothly as possible. You’re only going to move in once as a freshman, so make sure you take a little time to enjoy it. We think these quotes sum up the experience to a tee.
“But first, college.”
Likely you’ll hear this quote referring to that caffeinated beverage that’s sure to be your new favorite, coffee. This quote serves as a reminder that before all else, the reason you’re here is to learn at college! Yes making friends and having new experiences is amazing, but college is where you’re going to find your calling and learn all you can from your classes and professors for the next four years. It will set yourself up for success in the future!
“Does this U-Haul make my mattress topper look big?”
Yes you’re going to be bringing a lot of stuff with you to college. Sometimes it just makes more sense to rent a U-Haul to handle it all, especially if you’re driving a long distance. While it’s important to be prepared and have what you need to set your dorm up right, don’t take so much stuff that you can’t fit it. That being said, mattress toppers are highly recommended!
“I put the ‘fresh’ in freshman.”
It’s your first day on campus so get excited and get out there! This is the best opportunity to take it all in, after all, you’re a part of the incoming class that’s bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to take on anything! Don’t lose that sense of excitement and be up for anything. You might just have a lot of fun along the way.
“BRB figuring out 3 fun facts about myself”
Being new to campus means freshman mixers and orientation. One of the most common ice breakers orientation staff use is the 3 fun facts about yourself. While you don’t have to memorize (or make up) three fun facts, it can’t hurt to think about what you want to say ahead of time. That way you don’t freeze and find that you can’t come up with anything!
“Grateful for where I am, excited for where I’m going.”
As you embark on your college journey, no quote could be more fitting. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, but you should be very excited for where you’re going. New opportunities await in college, so make sure you take advantage of them. Whether it’s making new friends, trying out a new club or activity, or taking that class that’s challenging but interesting, remember where you came from but embrace the future.
College move in day memes
Because memes are perfect in so many ways for college move in day!

Just get used to it now, it’s very easy for upperclassmen to spot the new kids on campus. Whether or not you choose to wear your lanyard all day (it’s a helpful accessory!) is up to you, but you have been warned. When you’re a freshman, it’s okay to wander around campus pretending to know exactly where you’re going.
With time you’ll settle into a routine and learn where your classes are, how long it takes to get to the buildings, and whether or not you have time to stop for a latte along the way. Enjoy exploring your campus because soon enough you’ll know it as well as the back of your hand.
Why we love this meme: Who doesn’t love the Willie Wonka reference? You can just hear him laughing and smiling in this meme. Don’t worry, you won’t feel like the newbie for your entire freshmen year.

While this might apply more to pre-move in, we still think it belongs here. When you’re packing up for school, remember, you’ll have to unpack all those items as well! This is why it’s so helpful to have a list of all things you need to bring for school. That way, if you have room, you can include some other items that you might want to bring too.
For instance, do you need all four of your favorite sweatshirts when you’re packing up for college? Maybe you’ll need one in case it gets chilly or you want to be cozy, but chances are you don’t need four. Besides, sweatshirts can take up a lot of valuable space!
Keep the packing to a minimum. Not only does it make the process itself easier, it makes unloading it easier when you arrive on campus.
Why we love this meme: The best thing about memes is that the same image can be applied to multiple meanings. Here we have the familiar stick person calling us to arms. This time to pack all the things (or throw them out). There’s something so true about when you’re faced with the daunting task of packing for school, you feel the urge to just forget it, make it easy and leave more things behind.

Yes, college is in fact coming. But you’re prepared right? Although you think you’re ready for anything, you’re still facing the unknown when you move onto campus. What will your classes be like? Will you end up liking your professors? Is the food any good? Will you make friends? These are some big unknowns so yes, brace yourself.
Although it can be a little nerve wracking to be in a new space with new people, remember it will all eventually become routine. By the time the semester ends, you’re classes will be a part of your day, you’ll have a fun group of friends, and so many fun times already in the books. You’ll wonder why you were so nervous in the first place.
Why we love this meme: Classic Ned Stark telling us to brace ourselves for the onset of winter, or college, or move in day, or classes...

Remember how we said move in day can be chaotic? Be prepared for waiting in lines, finding places to park, and avoiding other students and their families. There is a lot going on when so many people move in all at once, so it’s helpful to go in with a good attitude and some patience. Because campus is confusing to people who don’t live there!
Once you’re done moving your stuff, it’s probably best to get out of the way and allow other movers access to the good parking spots.
We hope that these quotes, memes, and advice will leave you feeling a little bit better about move in day. Stay organized and you’ll find it much easier to move in. Remember to enjoy it and take lots of pictures!