The college move-in process can be a very stressful one for FGLI families, but we hope our tips will serve to make the transition to on-campus life more seamless. 

What do we bring?
This checklist by the CollegeBoard is a great start for deciding what your student is going to pack for their freshman year. By no means do you have to bring every single item outlined on this checklist- weigh your child’s individual needs and collaboratively decide what is best for them!
Should we purchase a microwave or a fridge?
  • If your student will be having a roommate, it is best to coordinate with the roommate to make sure that each student does not purchase the same thing. Typically, one roommate will purchase a microwave and the other will purchase a fridge- have your child reach out to their roommate so that they are able to decide who is bringing what.
  • It is also important to consider that getting a microwave or a fridge is not entirely crucial. Many dorm buildings have communal kitchens where students can store food and heat up food. Most students prefer the convenience of having their own amenities, so it is up to what your student is most comfortable with. 
  • If you would like the option of renting a microwave and fridge instead of purchasing them, Vanderbilt Student Government has a program exclusively for first-year students that allows them to rent a microwave and refrigerator (with a freezer) for $220. You can make rental reservations here.
What are some tips on how to minimize costs for dorm shopping?
  • There is a lot of pressure to create the picture-perfect dorm for your student. Do not feel as though you need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on room decor- it is very much possible to furnish and decorate a dorm that your student loves and considers their home away from home while still sticking to a specific budget.
  • If your student is interested in having cool room decor for their dorm, there are a couple of local Nashville boutiques where you can purchase decor for very reasonable prices! Here are a few:
How can we find the layout of my student’s dorm before move-in?
It’s very helpful to know the size of your student’s dorm prior to move-in in order to assure that your child does not overpack or underpack. If you reach out to the Housing Office at ohare@vanderbilt.edu, they can provide you further information about the layout of your child’s room.
How can we minimize costs on air travel?
  • Make sure that you book your family’s flight as soon as possible in order to keep ticket prices low.
  • Google Flights is one of the most helpful websites out there to weigh flight costs and amenities.
  • Shipping items to campus can get expensive. However, some airlines allow you to check in a number of items for free. In the case of Southwest Airlines, your first two checked-in items are free with baggage weight and size limits applying. 
What about when it is time to move out?
Depending on whether you want your child to take all of their belongings back home, many students opt for summer storage programs. There are many out there so it is important to weigh each company’s costs, pros, and cons. 

  • Here are a few of the storage companies out there:
  • These companies typically charge per number of boxes/items and/or the sizes of boxes. Some companies such as College Truckers may also charge per month of storage, so that is also something to be mindful of.

We hope that your student’s transition to on-campus life is a smooth and seamless one. Anchor down!