How to Leave Forwarding Contact Information When Moving out of Dorms

Whether you've graduated from college or are just vacating the dorms for the summer, leaving your forwarding contact information when moving is necessary for your friends, family and classmates to stay in touch with you. Leave your forwarding contact information and avoid missing out on important mail or news. The process doesn't take very long, and you'll find it to be worthwhile in the long run.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Leave your new address with the college or university you are attending. Many schools allow you to update your profile or contact information online. Otherwise, you can do this at your school's Registrar's Office.
2. Send a quick message or email to your closest friends and family, letting them know of your new address after moving. These people may be able to forward your information along to other individuals who may want to contact you.
3. Complete a change of address form with your local post office. You can even do this online with the United States Postal Service (see Resources below). Your dorm may have copies of these forms as well.
4. Leave your forwarding contact information with the front desk or mail room at your dorm. Having your dorm forward your mail often takes less time than having it transferred to the local post office.
5. Leave your contact information with your residence hall assistant, or the person in charge of your floor or wing. You can do this as you're moving out of the dorms, as it only takes a minute.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you change your mailing address with your local post office, your mail will be forwarded to your new address for up to 12 months.
• Without any forwarding information, any mail coming to you at the dorm will be returned to the sender.
• Getting your redirected mail is not the only reason to leave your forwarding contact information when you move out of the dorms. Your residence hall may have information to send you when you leave or may need to send you a refund on a deposit you left earlier in the school term.
• Mail will still be delayed a couple of days when you forward your mail.
• Double-check to make sure you write your forwarding contact information correctly when leaving a new address with someone. A single number or letter out of place could mean weeks of delay in getting your mail.