Most student leases in the La Crosse area begin in June. But wait. Classes end in the middle of May, and if you are moving from the dorms and into an apartment, where are you going to live for those 2 weeks? More importantly, where will all of your stuff go?
If you don’t plan on going home for those two weeks, plan ahead and ask if you can crash on a friend’s sofa for a week or two. Your landlord may also be willing to let you move in a few days early to help you out. As far as your stuff, (aka your precious belongings) often times the best option is to rent a storage unit.
It is important that the day you plan to move into your apartment is very clear to yourself and your landlord. Technically, if your lease begins on June 1st, then that is the day you should be able to move in. But the tenant turnover is high in student rentals, and the landlords have a lot of work to do in those few days that the units are unoccupied, such as cleaning carpets, painting, etc. Keep in contact with your landlord. Write a letter, call, email, do whatever it takes to ensure you and your landlord are on the same page. It will make the move in day experience a lot more pleasant.