1. Make your annual doctors appointments before you go back to school
You need to go to the doctors annually for a check-up, so go ahead and do it during the middle of summer that way you don't have to worry about setting it up during breaks. This lets you get vaccines, blood checks, medication prescriptions all in order before you go back to school. This also applies to the optometrist, dentist, dermatologist and any other medical treatment you may need.
2. Start packing more than a week in advance.
Start with your clothes. Pack up all the clothes that you will take to school, but probably won't need for the last 2 weeks. Separate the items that you will use within the next 2 weeks and still plan to take to school so that you don't forget them. Go ahead and buy some boxes/crates to pack your things. Make sure you know who is helping you move in so you know whether or not to pack heavy boxes that require fewer trips, or lighter boxes with more trips.
3. If you can contact your roommates, decide who is bringing what, and what is community use.
Doubles of everything, especially if you are willing to share with one another. Do not buy more than you have to because you will be the stereotypical "broke college student" soon. Save your money, share your stuff.
4. Do not over-pack.
You can always have your parents bring you something you need or you can buy it. You will not use as much stuff as you think you will (refer to this article on what you should/shouldn't bring to college). I can guarantee that you will take a small load of stuff back home on your first break.
5. Have all of your affairs in order.
Make sure all offices have what they need, especially the business and financial aid offices, to avoid any complications or surprises. No one wants to have to make unexpected tuition payments or have a parking ticket because they forgot to get their parking pass.
6. Try to move in at a different time than your roommate.
Moving in at the same time is both awkward and difficult. You are trying to move around one another and put things away in a cramped space. More often than not, both people will have others helping them so there is a lot of people and stuff in one tiny space.
7. Do not buy all of your groceries before you move.
Obviously if you can get some of you bigger expenses, like water bottles/pre-packaged food, at home then you should buy them there. But you aren't going to want to have to lug up a bunch of groceries from your car to your room. Your fridge is going to need time to get cold anyway so buying them becomes more of a hassle than it's worth. So wait until the day you move in, after you have moved everything up and plugged in your fridge.
8. Visit your campus at least once before you move in.
Most students have already seen their campus before they decided but if they were dedicated to one school, but there are a few cases who haven't. If you haven't seen your campus, DO IT BEFORE YOU MOVE IT. While most schools require a deposit to save your spot in the upcoming class, you still have the option not to go. You don't want to move into school and discover that you hate the campus/dynamic of the school and decide to no longer attend. You will most likely feel more secure in your decision, but if not, better to know ahead of time.
9. Have a general idea of how you want your room to look.
If you have a basic idea of how you want your room such as lofting, split sides, or general setup, it will make your move in so much easier. You'll be able to place your boxes/bags against a wall that you know you won't be using or you'll be able to get your loft kit before you move everything to set up and move your furniture before your stuff is scattered in the room.
10. MAKE A PACKING LIST
After you make a packing list, you are able to determine what you don't have and what you need to buy. This will make shopping so much easier so you don't forget anything essential, and it also gives you the opportunity to have your parents pay for stuff.
