Support Us Button Widget
City

Lakeland college move-in dates to know

Whether you’re a student, a family member, or just a driver looking to avoid traffic, keep these college move-in dates in mind.

August 12, 2025 • 
Connor Jacobson
A black-and-white photo of two people moving into Florida Southern College by a car with the trunk and passenger door open.

This photo from the library’s Ledger archives shows students moving into Florida Southern in 1985.

Photo via Lakeland Public Library

Let the great migration begin. After returning home for the summer, thousands of students will soon start the time-honored tradition of college move-in days in Lakeland.

Whether you’re the bright-eyed student, the family member assigned to carry their coffee machine (and not to say anything embarrassing), or just a driver looking to avoid traffic, here are the dates to know for Lakeland’s three residential colleges.

Florida Polytechnic University
Friday, Aug. 15-Sunday, Aug. 17
Expect traffic: FL-33, Polk Parkway, I-4

Southeastern University
Friday, Aug. 22-Saturday, Aug. 23
Expect traffic: Crystal Lake Drive, Bartow Road, Combee Road

Florida Southern College
Saturday, Aug. 23-Monday, Aug. 25
Expect traffic: Lake Hollingsworth Drive, South Florida Avenue, Frank Lloyd Wright Way

Pro tip: This is also prime shopping time at big box stores — plan accordingly if you’re making any Target or Walmart runs during these dates.

More from LALtoday
A graphic that says "Their perfect gift is on this list. Our holiday gift guide just dropped." surrounded by images of gift tags.
Small Business
LALtoday’s 2025 holiday gift guide: 90+ finds for everyone you love
Including gifts for significant others, retirees, holiday parties, young people, and gifts that ship fast.
October 24, 2025
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
Screen Shot 2019-10-15 at 3.03.16 PM
Culture
Look out for these creepy Florida cryptids in Lakeland
Keep an eye out and perhaps you’ll see one of these cryptid creatures in Lakeland — or maybe it will see you.
October 23, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A vintage photo of a JCPenney store with a covered walkway connecting it to another building, surrounded by palm and oak trees.
City
What Lakelanders could buy for the same price as Publix’s $10 real estate deal
Could this be the real estate deal of the century? Learn how Publix is buying two downtown buildings for $10 each — and what you could get for that same price.
October 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A large Nordstrom Rack shopping bag is held up in the foreground, with the storefront and a blue inflatable arch in the background.
Business
Shop ‘til you drop at Nordstrom Rack, opening in Lakeside Village
Find discounted clothing, accessories, shoes, and home goods at this national retailer’s first Lakeland location.
October 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A downtown Lakeland street lined with tents selling farmers market goods. Trees hang over the street.
Business
Farmers markets around Polk County
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up seven farmers markets around Lakeland, FL.
October 21, 2025
 · 
Staff
A multi-lane stretch of I-4 in Polk County, Florida, with several cars driving on a cloudy day, surrounded by lush greenery.
Development
More I-4 congestion relief lanes coming west of Lakeland
Due to the Moving Florida Forward Initiative, new I-4 express lanes are coming nine years in advance between I-75 and County Line Road.
October 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A side-by-side photo of two homes: a historic Spanish-style home (left) and a modern stone and stucco home (right).
Real Estate
You choose: Historic home vs. new construction in Lakeland
Do you prefer to live in the past, or are you looking ahead to the future? Compare a 1925 home with a newly built house that just hit Lakeland’s real estate market.
October 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
People dressed in retro attire dancing under neon lights
Culture
Dance the night away at these Lakeland spots and events
In the mood to bust a move? Shimmy down to these local spots and events for open dance floors, performances, and dancing lessons.
October 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The Shoppes at Lake Miriam, showing storefronts for Gosh! Asian Bistro & Sushi, Coast Dental, Glam Bar, and Hand & Stone.
Food
Eat down the street: Lake Miriam Crossing restaurants
Find a parking spot and walk to each of your favorite restaurants in the Shoppes at Lake Miriam Crossing plaza on South Florida Avenue.
October 14, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A house covered in Halloween decorations, including a huge spider and fake webs.
Events
Add your neighborhood to our Lakeland trick-or-treat map
Does your neighborhood go all out with decorations? Is it known as the street for full-size candy bars? Add it to our map of trick-or-treat destinations.
October 14, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson