EAST LANSING – Families getting ready for move-in should come to campus with patience and set expectations, MSU officials said.
Kat Cooper, chief communications officer for MSU’s Residential and Hospitality Services, said move-in is almost here, and there are a few things students and families can do to prepare to make the experience better for everyone.
Apartment move-in began on Aug. 1 this year, and international students have their move in dates set from Friday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 23. New international student orientation is Monday, Aug. 24.
New students, largely freshmen, will move in from Tuesday, Aug. 25, to Wednesday, Aug. 26, and orientation for those students kicks off Aug. 26.
Returning students will begin moving into campus Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Classes start on campus on Monday, Aug. 31.
Here’s some expert advice on making the move:
Bring less stuff
Less is more when it’s time to move in, Cooper said. Residence hall rooms are small, and it’s always a good idea to bring less than you think you need because students will want a little extra space to add things over time.
Once students get into their dorm rooms, they can set a plan with their roommate for what they’ll need so they don’t end up wasting items or money.
“There are great ways to get items from around town and tons of delivery options,” Cooper said. “That makes your move in easier, and it makes sure you’re not spending money that you don’t need to spend.”
Come to campus patient
Move-in is a long day for families.
Cooper said 17,000 people will be living on campus between residence halls and on-campus apartments, and most will be arriving to campus during the standard move-in time.
“Unexpected things do happen,” Cooper said. “If everybody can be patient and give each other and themselves a lot of grace, everything is going to go smoother and you’re going to have a better time.”
It’s smart to expect a long line of traffic heading toward campus and to follow the university’s traffic signs for loading and unloading once you get to the correct dorm.
Follow your Spartan’s lead
Cooper said a good idea is for families to discuss ahead of time what their wants, needs and expectations are before they get to campus.
Do you want to grab dinner after move-in? Just hug and kiss parents goodbye and send them on their way?
“Where I see a lot of angst amongst families is when parents or supporters have one set of expectations about what’s about to happen, and students have another,” Cooper said. “Maybe students think that people can stay and help and set up every last thing in their room, and families think they’re dropping off and heading out to lunch, or vice versa. That’s when people tend to get disappointed.
“I would encourage families to follow their Spartan’s lead because we really want to make sure that their experience is a good one and make sure they know that, yeah, you want to give them a big hug before you walk out so they’re not surprised. Make some room for your expectations but follow your student’s lead. That’s how you’ll have a positive memory of the day.”
Cooper said move-in is easier when people are ready to move with some flexibility. It’s easy to come into the day with a set of expectations, but knowing things could get derailed – like needing to make adjustments to accommodate your roommate’s stuff, for example – will make it a better experience.
Students should have received information about when their move-in time is in their emails, and students are encouraged to follow the instructions in the email and read the university’s provided move-in guide.
Take your roommate agreement seriously
After Spartans say goodbye to their families and move-in crew, it’s important for students to understand there may need to be compromises made between roommates.
“This may be the first time some of these students are sharing space like this,” Cooper said. “It’s important to understand that everybody is coming into this arrangement with different family expectations about things like personal space, cleanliness, if we can touch and use one another’s things.”
She said that students are asked to fill out a roommate agreement, dictating the rules and expectations they’d have for their dorm. People may have different standards of living, and to have a harmonious living experience, the bathroom may need to be cleaned a bit more often or dirty clothes might need to make their way into the hamper at the end of every night.
“You have to understand that your lived experience is not necessarily the same as someone else’s, even if that’s someone that you’ve known for a really long time,” she said. “It’s important to listen to them and try to make adjustments where you can so that you can have a good experience.”
If issues do come up, Cooper said, it’s best for roommates to talk it out instead of letting the tension fester. She said many people are afraid of conflict and try to fight it out via text message, which is rarely the best option for working things out.
“Being willing to make some adjustments to your own behavior, and accept that it might not be exactly how you want it is a great way to have a better experience,” Cooper said.
Contact Karly Graham at kgraham@lsj.com. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 2026 MSU fall move-in is here. What families, students should know
Reporting by Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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By Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal | USA TODAY Network
