Starting university is an exciting new chapter, but moving away from home for the first time can also feel incredibly daunting. Whether you’re moving to a university in another part of the UK or heading overseas, there’s a lot to think about before you pack your bags and begin your new independent lifestyle.
For many students, this will be the first time they have lived away from their parents or guardians. Alongside getting used to university life, meeting new people and finding your way around a new town or city, you also need to think about packing, transporting your belongings and making sure everything arrives safely.
The good news is that a little preparation can make the entire process much easier.
Below, we’ve put together some useful tips to help make your move to university as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Plan Your University Move in Advance
Moving house is much easier when you give yourself plenty of time to prepare. It can be tempting to leave everything until the last minute, particularly when you’re busy preparing for university, but creating a simple moving checklist can help you stay organised.
Start by making a list of everything you need to take with you. This should include your clothes and bedding, as well as university supplies, toiletries, kitchen items and any personal belongings you want to have in your new accommodation.
It’s also worth checking what your university accommodation already provides. Student halls and private accommodation can vary considerably, so there’s little point taking items that are already supplied.
Once you know what you need to take, you can begin sorting, packing and arranging transportation.
Decide What You Really Need to Take
One of the biggest mistakes students can make when moving to university is trying to take absolutely everything with them.
Although it can be reassuring to have all your favourite belongings around you, remember that student accommodation is usually much smaller than the family home. Storage space can also be limited, particularly if you are sharing a house or living in university halls.
Try to focus on the essentials.
Clothing, bedding, towels, toiletries, study materials and a few personal items should be at the top of your list. You can always pick up additional items once you arrive if you discover that you need them.
It’s also worth thinking about what you will do with your belongings at the end of the academic year. Taking fewer items now means less to pack, transport and store when you eventually move out.
Update Your Postal Address
Before leaving home, make sure you consider where your important post should be sent.
If you are going to be living at university for most of the year, you may want to update your address with organisations that need to contact you. This could include your bank, insurance provider, university and other important services.
However, you may prefer to keep your parents’ or guardian’s address as your permanent address for certain correspondence.
Be particularly careful when ordering goods online or making purchases where the billing and delivery addresses need to match. If you select your permanent address as your billing address, make sure you choose your university accommodation as the delivery address where appropriate.
It can also be useful to arrange mail forwarding if you are concerned about important letters continuing to arrive at your old address.
Gather the Right Packing Materials
Having the right packing materials can make moving day considerably easier.
Start collecting sturdy cardboard boxes, tape, labels and protective materials well in advance. You can use suitcases, holdalls and larger sports bags for clothes, towels and bedding, while stronger boxes are better suited to heavier items such as books and study materials.
Avoid overfilling boxes with heavy items. Books can become surprisingly heavy when packed together, so using smaller boxes will make them much easier and safer to carry.
You should also clearly label your boxes. Consider writing the contents and the room they belong in on the outside of each box. This will make unpacking much easier when you arrive at your new accommodation.
For example, labels such as “Kitchen,” “Bedding,” “Books” and “Bathroom” can save you a considerable amount of time.
Protect Fragile and Valuable Belongings
Not everything you take to university will be replaceable, so take extra care when packing fragile or valuable items.
Wrap delicate belongings individually using suitable protective packaging and avoid leaving empty space inside boxes where items could move around during transportation.
If you are taking a laptop, monitor, television or other valuable electrical equipment, use the original packaging if you still have it. If not, make sure the item is properly protected before it is transported.
It’s also sensible to keep particularly valuable or important items with you rather than placing them in a box that will be loaded with the rest of your belongings.
Create a University Moving Checklist
A moving checklist can help prevent those last-minute “I knew I was forgetting something” moments.
Your list could include:
- Clothes and shoes
- Bedding and towels
- Toiletries
- Laptop and chargers
- University books and stationery
- Important documents
- Kitchen essentials
- Medication and personal items
- Cleaning supplies
- Personal and sentimental belongings
- Storage boxes and bags
- Keys and accommodation information
Keep important documents, identification, bank cards and other essentials somewhere safe and easily accessible rather than packing them away.
It can also be useful to create a small first-night bag containing everything you will need immediately after arriving. This could include toiletries, sleepwear, a change of clothes, a towel, phone charger and anything else you might need before you have unpacked.
Think About How You Will Transport Your Belongings
For some students, parents or friends will be able to provide a car or van and help with the move. This can be a convenient option if you are studying relatively close to home and don’t have too many belongings.
However, this isn’t always possible.
You may be moving several hours away, travelling to another part of the UK or even studying overseas. If you have a significant amount of luggage and belongings to transport, arranging professional help can make the process much simpler.
A reliable removals company can take care of the transportation while you concentrate on getting settled into your new university accommodation.
If you are looking for professional help with your move, our experienced team can assist with house removals, including moves that require transportation further afield.
Book Your Removals Company Early
If you decide to use a professional removals company, try not to leave the booking until the last minute.
The weeks around the start of the university term can be particularly busy, with many students moving at around the same time. Booking your removal service in advance gives you a better chance of securing a date and time that suits your plans.
Before booking, make sure you provide accurate information about how many belongings you have, where you are moving from and where you are moving to. This will help the removals company understand what is involved and provide an appropriate service.
If you are moving overseas, remember that there may be additional considerations such as customs requirements, international transportation and delivery arrangements.
Keep Moving Day Simple
When moving day finally arrives, try to give yourself plenty of time.
Make sure everything is packed and ready before the removal team arrives. Keep essential items such as your phone, wallet, identification, keys, important documents and chargers somewhere you can access them easily.
If possible, separate anything you need during the journey from the belongings that are being transported to your accommodation.
Once you arrive, don’t feel as though you need to unpack everything immediately. Start with the essentials and gradually organise your new room and living space over the first few days.
Enjoy Your New Independence
Once the boxes have been delivered and your belongings are safely inside your new accommodation, it’s time to enjoy the next stage of your life.
Moving away to university can be nerve-racking, but it’s also an opportunity to become more independent, meet new people and experience life in a new town, city or country.
Try not to worry if everything doesn’t go perfectly on the first day. It can take some time to settle into a new environment, and feeling a little homesick or overwhelmed is completely normal.
Take things one step at a time, get to know your new surroundings and make the most of the experience.
Professional Student and University Removals
Whether you’re moving across town, travelling to another part of the UK or relocating overseas, having reliable transportation for your belongings can take a lot of stress out of the process.
At Coastline Removals, we have an experienced and trustworthy team ready to help make your move as straightforward as possible.
If you need assistance with your university move or would like to find out more about our removals services, please contact us with your requirements. You can also request a free quote using our online enquiry form.
With the right preparation and a little planning, you can leave the stress of moving behind and concentrate on what really matters: starting your new university adventure.