Move-In
Welcome to The Forest, Deacs!
Whether you’re a first-year or transfer student, Move-In Day is an exciting time to meet new people, explore campus, and make yourself at home.
2026 Move-In Dates
We’re looking forward to your arrival on-campus later this summer! Refer to the information below for instructions and important details on how to prepare for Move-In Day this August.
Incoming Students (Class of ’30)
Pre-Orientation Move-In
- Thursday, August 13 (Marching Band, Wilderness to Wake)
- Friday, August 14 (All other Pre-Orientation programs)
First-Year/Transfer Student Move-In
- Tuesday, August 18
Continuing Students
Your move-in dates are:
- Friday, August 21
- Saturday, August 22
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Residence Life and Housing at or 336.758.5185.
First-Year and Transfer Students
This year, we are rolling out a new check-in process. We no longer have “suggested move-in windows;” we have specific check-in appointments (selected by students). Students and families who arrive before their check-in time will be directed to wait in a designated parking area.
For full details about your move-in experience, please review our Move-in Guide.
Scheduling or changing your check-in appointment
- First-year students can schedule (or reschedule) their check-in appointment in the Housing Portal. Appointments will be used for arrivals on August 14 and 18. Students arriving on August 13 do not need an appointment time.
- Transfer students do not need to schedule a check-in appointment.
What happens if I arrive before my check-in appointment?
Students will receive a QR code 30 minutes before their check-in appointment. Students must use the QR code to check in at their selected appointment time.
Important note: This is a new check-in process. We no longer have “suggested move-in windows;” we have specific check-in appointments (selected by students). Students and families who arrive earlier their check-in time will be directed to wait in a dedicated parking zone until the student can download their QR code.
Move-in assistance
New students are offered move-in assistance during a designated period. Wake Forest faculty, staff, and students will be on hand to help with moving all your belongings into your room.
Please be aware that after the designated move-in assistance hours, bins and staff will no longer be available to help with transporting your belongings.
How it works
- After checking in at LJVM, proceed to your assigned residence hall on campus, following directions from University Police.
- When you arrive at your building, a Team Leader will greet you at your car. They will note the student’s room information on a whiteboard.
- Students and families will first unload their belongings into a designated curbside area.
- After everything is unloaded, the student should proceed to their room to unlock it. Our move-in assistance team will then transport all items directly to the room using bins.
- We kindly request that a family member remain with the car to move it once the unloading is finished.
Please be aware that after the designated move-in assistance hours, bins and staff will no longer be available to help with transporting your belongings.
Continuing Students
Check-in
Check-in will be available at LJVM on Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Note: we are unable to accommodate individual requests to move-in prior to your established move-in day and time frame.
What to know before you arrive.
Make sure you’re cleared to move in.
Starting August 4, students must check their move-in status. Log in using your @wfu.edu Google account.
Various offices, including Deacon Health, the Dean of Students, and Student Financial Services, may hold your check-in if items are outstanding.
Please note that families cannot check in for their students.
Here’s what you need to bring with you.
When you arrive, you will be asked to present the following before you can move in:
- Check-in QR code (available after 7:30 a.m. the morning of your approved arrival date)
- Photo ID (e.g., Deacon OneCard, driver’s license, Passport)
What to do once you arrive.
Step 1: Check-in at LJVM
Check-in will be available at LJVM on Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Drive to the LJVM Coliseum.
- Park in the Pepsi Lot.
- Students will enter LJVM to check in (parents and families are asked to wait in vehicles). Staff at LJVM will scan your QR code to check you in, provide your room key, and issue your move-in parking passes.
- Display your Move-In Parking Pass(es) after you return to your car. The move-in parking pass must be clearly displayed on the dashboard of all vehicles you are bringing to campus.
Step 2: Drive to campus
Make sure you’ve checked in before coming to campus!
Upon arrival on campus, pull your vehicle into a designated unloading zone closest to your community. While unloading, please ensure your hazard lights are on, and your move-in parking pass is displayed on your vehicle’s dashboard.
Unload and immediately move your vehicle to a parking lot to free up that space for another resident.
Do not park in handicapped spaces, fire lanes, service areas, driving lanes, roadways, sidewalks, on the grounds, or any other area not designated for parking.
Check weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Bringing umbrellas and plastic for covering your belongings would be a good idea if rain is in the forecast.
Plan accordingly to move your items. Availability of carts on campus will be limited. You may wish to bring a cart or wagon from home.
Step 3: Settle in
Take a few minutes to inspect your room for any issues. If so, you’ll want to put a work order in within 72 hours of check-in. Otherwise, your space is assumed to be in good condition, and you will be held responsible for any damage at check-out.
Introduce yourself to the community staff – they’ll be around in RL&H shirts to answer any questions you might have about your new community.
Carts will be available.
Move-in carts will be available for continuing students to check out at designated residence halls. Students and families may wish to bring a cart or wagon from home as a backup in the event that all university-provided carts are in use.
Make sure you have your Deacon OneCard.
You will need a photo ID to present at check-in. If you have lost your Deacon OneCard over the summer, you will have the chance to replace it once on campus at the Deacon One Office in Angelou Hall.
What’s already in my space?
Each community page details what will be in your room upon arrival and provides approximate room dimensions.
Measurements for items listed help you get a sense of your space. Each room is unique and varies in dimensions, sometimes considerably.
Tip: Winston-Salem has many popular retail stores – we suggest seeing your space before purchasing everything you thinmk you might need.
What can/can’t I bring?
What you can/should bring:
Day-to-day
- Backpack
- Bathroom toiletries
- Blankets/comforter
- Cleaning supplies
- Clothing
- Dish set
- Medications
- Pillows & pillow cases
- Reusable water bottle
- Room decorations
- Shower caddy
- Storage bins/ closet organizers
- Towels and washcloths
- Trash can/trash bags
- Twin XL sheets
Devices
- Cell phone with charger
- Desk lamp
- Hair dryer
- Laptop with charger
- Small fan
- Television
- UL approved surge protector
Identification & Funds
- Credit card/debit card
- Driver’s license, Passport/Visa
- Insurance info (health, renters)
- Social Security Card (needed for employment)
Laundry Supplies
- Clothes hangers
- Dryer sheets
- Drying rack
- High efficiency detergent
- Laundry bag/basket
- Stain remover
Miscellaneous
- Class/Desk supplies
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Umbrella/raingear
- Command strips/hooks
What to leave behind:
Items to leave at home
- Air conditioners
- Bed lofts
- Black lights
- Candles (including decorative or warmers)
- Coil appliances, grills, hot plates/electric skillet
- Electric/Space heaters
- Extension cords
- Flammables
- Halogen lamps
- Humidifiers/Misters (including Diffusers)
- Microwaves
- Multi-Plug adapters
- Unapproved pets and animals
- Plug-In Air Fresheners
- Toaster/Toaster ovens
- Toilet paper
- Wireless computer access points or network routers
The following items are not prohibited, but we suggest considering alternatives:
View items
- Decor that could be considered profane, obscene, offensive or indecent.
- Foam mattress pads (consider breathable versions or ones with mold protection covers).
- Large furniture items (futons, couches, etc. ALL rooms are fully furnished).
- Nails, duct tape and other adhesives or hooks that may damage the walls or furniture.
More information on our policies can be found in our Guide to Community Living.
Arriving after your check-in.
If you are unable to arrive during the check-in hours on your approved move-in date, please follow these instructions:
If you’re moving in…
August 13-22
After Hours Check-In will ONLY be available from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Check-in will not be available between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. If you plan to arrive after 10 p.m., you will need to make alternative off-campus arrangements until the following day.
You will need to submit a Fall 2026 After Hours Arrival form. You will need to use your @wfu.edu email to access the form.
For after-hours arrival, please proceed to your community office and contact the RA on duty using the number posted at the office or available here(opens in a new tab).
August 23
Students may check in at their communities between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. If you arrive during this timeframe, you do not need to submit a form.
For after-hours arrival, go to your community office and contact the RA on duty.
If you are not arriving on campus by August 23, please contact our office at for check-in instructions.
Can I ship my belongings?
WFU Mail Services asks that you refrain from shipping mail or other items to your student no earlier than two weeks prior to their arrival on campus.
Ship using Storage Scholars
If you wish to ship belongings to campus before arriving on campus, you may do so by using Storage Scholars.
Storage Scholars is a separate entity from WFU Mail Services. All questions, inquiries, comments, etc. should be directed to Storage Scholars at .
Here’s how it works
- Ship Boxes from Home: Send Storage Scholars your own boxes or they can ship you a kit of empty boxes to make packing easier. FedEx can even pick-up from your house!
- Buy Online and Ship: Shop online and put the Storage Scholars facility as your shipping address.
- They Receive & Notify You: Each package is scanned in with a photo, and you get a text and email confirmation of its arrival.
- Delivery in Room: Their team will deliver everything to your room on your move-in day.