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As exciting as the start of your college career is, it can also be pretty stressful. There's a new school, new people, not to mention being away from home-cooking for the first time in your life. You're going to have a lot to think about. It doesn't help that you have to move all your belongings into a small dorm room.

Moving to school doesn't have to be a headache, though. As long as you plan ahead and know what to bring and what to leave home, moving-in day can be a great kickoff to your college career.

The Master Plan
The first thing you should do is get in touch with your new roommate. "We always suggest roommates coordinate beforehand," says Pat Quinn, publications and training coordinator of University Housing at Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ). This way you can figure out who's bringing what and split up the big things you're both going to use, like microwaves, telephones, or stereos.

"I didn't have a fridge, but my roommate had one, and I already had a TV. Between the two of us, we had everything we needed," says Richard Kappler, a Connecticut College (New London, CT) senior. Talking to your future roommate also gives you the opportunity to learn about the person you're going to be living with for the next nine months, which isn't a bad idea, either.

What To Bring
Once you've coordinated with your future roommate, figure out what personal items you need to bring, but don't do it just by memory. "Go around for a few days and keep a list of everything you use during the day," recommends Quinn. That way you'll know exactly what you need on a daily basis. An alarm clock, bath towels, and prescription medicine are easy to forget, but important when you're away from home.

As for your wardrobe, don't overdo it, but bring enough clothes to keep you covered in every situation. You're going to encounter rainy days, 8 a.m. classes, and random romps to the rec center, so you'll want to be prepared. You're also going to need something nicer when you're dressing for success, but don't forget about those lazy afternoons when T-shirts and sweats are the perfect attire.

To set up your new digs, milk crates make great storage or makeshift shelving, while power strips and extension chords are a must for electrical items. Posters and pictures are cool items to liven up the place, and don't forget your MP3 and DVD collection for when you want to kick back and relax.

Not To Bring
You're sharing a limited amount of space, so only bring necessities. Richard remembers bringing too many unnecessary items when he first moved to campus. "I brought all this clutter I didn't need -- anything that would remind me of home," says Richard.

Of course you can bring things that'll keep homesickness at bay, such as pictures of friends and family, but your favorite beanbag chair, ping-pong table, and bicycle should stay with mom and dad.

Bringing the wrong things can even get you in trouble. Candles and incense, for example, are fire hazards even if they're not lighted. Toaster ovens and hot plates will also get you busted. Colleges have cracked down on these fire hazards for your own safety, so check with your housing office to see what's allowed and what isn't.

Now let's talk space-saving solutions. Start by bringing clothes that fit the season. When the school year starts, you still have a few months before the weather really gets cold (depending on your school's location), so leave the bulky winter gear at home. When the temperature dips, you can swap the T-shirts with the warm weather stuff and not lose valuable closet space. Quinn also recommends bringing clothing that'll serve more than one purpose. Sweatshirts that can double as jackets are great for keeping warm and saving space.

Fitting It All
Don't worry if you can't fit every last thing. You're moving into a relatively small space, so if it doesn't fit in the car, that's probably a sign that you should leave it home. Deciding what to bring on that first move to campus will depend on how often you plan on going home, says Quinn. If you plan on shooting home every couple of weeks and can't fit everything you want, don't sweat it -- just pick it up next time. And if all else fails, you can always buy what didn't fit once you get to campus.

"You tend to pack like you're never going to see another store," says Amanda Tepedino, a senior at Quinnipiac University (Hamden, CT). Unless you're headed to the University of Middle-of-Nowhere, there are going to be places around campus to pick up almost anything you need.

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