Move-In Guide

Wake Forest first-year students move into their first-year residence halls.

Your guide to Move-In Day

Everything you need to know about arriving on campus, checking in, and moving into your first-year residence hall at Wake Forest.

Preparing for Move-In Day

We are looking forward to your arrival on-campus later this summer! Whether you’re a first-year student or transferring here, the move-in process is an exciting time to experience college, meet new people, and get settled in your home.

Use the information on this page as your guide to preparing for Move-In Day, from actions to take before arriving on campus to what you can expect when you arrive and settle into your residence hall.

Before You Get Here

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.

Check Your Move-In Status

Students must complete all items on the New Student Checklist or Transfer Student Checklist prior to arrival. 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.

What you need to bring with you

When you arrive at the LJVM Coliseum, you will be asked to present the following before you can move in:

Check-in QR code (available 30 minutes before check-in)
- 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.
Photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport)

Steps to Move In

STEP 1

Check-In at LJVM at your designated check-in time and with your QR code.

Once you have your QR code, drive to the LJVM Coliseum (480 Deacon Blvd). All students/families must enter the LJVM complex from Deacon Boulevard.

Students will show their QR code to be directed to the car line corresponding to their assigned move-in route (Black, Gold, or Silver).
Parents/families will be directed to wait in their cars while their student goes inside to check in (similar to a car line for school drop-off or pickup). Staff at LJVM will scan a student’s QR code to check them in and provide their room key, Deacon OneCard, and move-in parking passes.
- Restrooms will be available, but will require pulling your car aside into a parking zone.

Display your Move-In Parking Pass(es) after your student returns to your car. The move-in parking pass must be clearly displayed on the dashboard of all vehicles you are bringing to campus.
To manage traffic flow, cars will be asked to drive a specific route to campus. Please follow those instructions to avoid unnecessary delays.

STEP 2

Drive to campus using your assigned route.

Follow your building-specific move-in route to drive to campus:
- Gold Route (University Pkwy Entrance): Bostwick, Johnson, Luter
- Black Route (Reynolda Rd Entrance): Angelou, Collins, Hopkins
- Silver Route (Reynolda Rd Entrance): Huffman, Kitchin, Poteat
- On the parking pass students receive, there will be a QR code that links to driving directions for the various routes. Students will also receive a text with a direct link for their specific route. Please help us manage traffic flow by using your assigned route.
Follow signage and/or instructions of staff to your student’s building. Please be patient.
For those without cars: Shuttles will run on a 30-minute loop (or on-call) during move-in hours:
- August 13 (on-call, 336-391-0272) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- August 14 (on loop) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- August 18 (on loop) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

STEP 3

Unload at your student’s building, then park in a visitor lot.

Follow directions of staff to park and unload curbside at your student’s building. Someone must stay with the vehicle at all times.

Volunteer move-in assistance will be available during limited hours:
- Friday, August 14: 8-11 a.m.
- Tuesday, August 18: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
- For families arriving outside those hours, you will be responsible for moving in all student belongings. You may wish to bring your own cart/wagon to assist you.

Once unloaded, the driver must immediately move the car to the designated parking lots and walk/shuttle back to the residence hall. Follow the traffic/police direction to the next available parking area.

STEP 4

Set up the room. (Your side only!)

Space & Time: Be respectful of the limited space and other families moving in. If your student’s roommate has not yet moved in, please keep their side of the room clear.

Building Access: For community safety, building access is controlled by the student’s Deacon OneCard only:
- Families cannot access the building without their student.
- Students may not give their ID or key to anyone else, including their parents/family members.

Bed Adjustment: If your student needs their bed height adjusted, information on how to request assistance is available here. Facilities staff will respond. Please do not attempt to adjust beds yourself.

Additional Arrival Information

Students moving into their residence halls on Move-In Day.

Move-In Prior to August 14

For students participating in Marching Band or Wilderness to Wake

Starting August 13, all check-ins will take place at the LJVM Coliseum.

Students with approved check-in dates on August 13 or earlier will receive specific move-in instructions from Residence Life and Housing.

After Hours Arrival (August 13, 14, 18)

Students who need to arrive after check-in has closed must submit a late arrival form. This will be shared closer to move-in.

Important note: Arrivals after 10 p.m. must secure their own off-campus lodging for the night; see local hotels.

Late Arrivals (After 1 p.m. August 18)

As a reminder, all incoming students are expected to participate in New Deac Week activities, which begin on August 18.

ALL new and transfer students must be moved in prior to 1 p.m. on August 18 to begin their New Deac Week experience.

Students with extenuating circumstances who must arrive on campus after 1 p.m. on August 18 should email and to explain their situation and indicate their arrival date.

Residence Life and Housing will provide specific check-in instructions on a case-by-case basis.

We’ve got you!

Move-In day is extra! It can be hot, sweaty, tiring work. You may be excited, emotional, overwhelmed, nervous. That’s all normal.

Remember:

Be patient. It will all come together.
Know you don’t have to get everything done all at once.
Stay hydrated. Bring a refillable water bottle to use at our water stations
Rest when you need to.
Be diplomatic (with your family, roommate, etc.).
Don’t worry if you have forgotten something; there are plenty of stores in Winston-Salem.
Have fun.

Now….it’s time to make The Forest your own!