Missy's Moving-In Tips

With the summer nearing its close, Hofstra Parent Council President, Missy Stropoli Faul, has a comprehensive list of tips for the parents of those resident students approaching the all-important Move-In Day.




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It's hard to believe my daughter will be a senior this year! I'll post some tips as I think of them.

1. As soon as you arrive on move-in day look for the queue to borrow a "move-in hamper" and see how long the wait is. Usually it moves pretty quick.

2. Felt hangers are your friend! You can fit almost twice as much in the closet when you use them.

3. Bring a tool kit with a hammer to move in. Most students put their dresser under the bed to give them more space. In order for the dresser to fit underneath the bed has to be raised. You'll need a hammer to do it easily. All of the rooms my daughter has been in had a bed that raised up pretty high. Last year she actually needed a small step stool to get into bed.

4. Kids and parents are generally happy to help each other, lend tools that the others forgot, demonstrate techniques for raising the bed, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

5. After you unload your car, park it a bit farther away so that other families can get close to the door. You can even unload onto the sidewalk and then all carry things to the dorm room.

6. Order your refrigerator/microwave early so that it’s waiting in the room for you on move in day.

7. We store all of the linens in a large “Rubbermade” type container with wheels. Once we make the bed we store the container at home until it’s time to move out.

8. We pack all of her clothes in canvas type bags that can be stacked under the bed. They are about 30” X 24” and about a foot deep, and have handles. My daughter leaves her fall clothing stored in the bags until she needs them. They are soft and easily stacked under the bed. I believe we bought them at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

9. The Container Store sells a gizmo that hangs on an existing closet bar and adds another bar for hanging clothes. It doubles your hanging space.

10. Bring over the door hooks to hang wet towels and such. They fit on most doors except the actual bathroom door. The bathroom door is too thick.

11. A lot of the suites have 4 people who share 1 bathroom. My daughter’s suite mates put a 4 drawer storage container in the bathroom and assigned each girl a drawer to hold dry goods.

12. A shower caddy is good for all of the items they actually take into the shower and it stays under the sink when not in use.

13. Bring a heavy duty plunger! Maintenance is good, but they have hundreds of toilets to plunge!

14. I think the bathrooms come with shower curtains, but you’ll need bathroom accessories like a soap dispenser…toothbrush holder…floor mats. The suite mates can either decide ahead of time on a theme/color, or make the bathroom their first shopping outing.

15. Both of my daughters use a Brita for water. It saves space and money. All they need is a reusable water bottle. FYI- My daughter said something about the filter needing to soak for 24 hours prior to use.

16. The mattresses are hard. We use a plastic mattress cover, then a foam “egg crate” for softness, then cover it all with a quilted mattress cover. It’s worth the investment. They will be used for 4 years. Remember the mattresses are Twin XL.

17. I send her with 2 sets of sheets and 3 pillows. Buy an extra set of pillow cases if you want them to match the sheets. She also has a long “body” pillow on her bed. I also send her with 2 full sets of bath towels.

18. We use a laundry basket on wheels. It also has a handle so it’s easy to move. Don’t forget to bring laundry detergent, stain remover, and dryer sheets.

19. There is a cable TV hook up in the rooms, but you’ll need to have a long cable to reach the TV. TV’s are tricky! One room, two TV’s! Sometimes the kids decide to share one. Depending on the suite set up they might want a TV for the common room.

20. Anything you could possibly need to buy can be found at a store within 5 miles of Hofstra so don’t worry if you forget something!

21. 3M hanging tabs are great for hanging posters, etc. I believe the school holds a poster sale soon after the kids move in.

22. Don’t forget desk items: lamp, calendar, cork board, stapler, tape, push pins, paper clips, thumb drives, pens, pencils, etc…

23. I bought a 3 drawer container for my daughters. It stands about 30” high and fits under the bed. Here’s how I set it up:
Drawer 1: Health and Beauty Supplies- Advil, Band Aides, Neosporin, Tums, Tampons, Pads, Nail Polish remover, Q Tips, Cotton Balls, Soap, Deodorant, Razor Blades…anything else you think they will need.
Drawer 2: Tools and Useful items- Scissor, Packing Tape, Surge Protector (longest one), Clorox Wipes, Small roll of garbage bags, zip ties, small tool kit to leave at school, Light Bulbs for desk lamp, dusting cloth, etc…
Drawer 3: Cooking and Eating- Coffee cup, Hard plastic-microwavable plate and bowl, Reusable drink cup, Steak knife, 1 set of metal cutlery, 1 small package of disposable cutlery, can opener, measuring cup, microwavable bowl, mixing spoon, a few small plastic food storage containers, zip lock bags, etc.

24. Other things to bring: Bathing Suit, Flip Flops, Robe, Slippers, Umbrella, Snow Boots, Gloves. My daughters also have rain boots and rain coats. There will be days when an umbrella won’t cut it! Many students bring a bike to school. Invest in a good bike lock if they are bringing one.

25. A few days prior to move-in, before I’m ready to shoot her…I write my daughter a letter. I let her know how much I love her and how proud I am of her accomplishments. Before we leave I slip it under her pillow so she’ll find it before she goes to sleep. With any luck she’ll call me that night or the next morning to thank me and I get to hear her voice!

Please feel free to ask any questions!

Missy Stropoli Faul, Hofstra Parent Council President

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