As summer draws to a close, moving to university is next on the cards. As a first-time student or a returning student, moving away from home and into student halls can be both exciting and overwhelming. With so many things to remember, it is easy to overlook the finer details.

Don’t worry, though, we are here with the ultimate student moving checklist to ensure that you remember all of your essential belongings and how you can make the transition as seamless as possible, ready to kickstart your university journey!

• 4 Simple Steps for Moving as a Student
• University Packing List
• Student House Moving Checklist FAQs

4 Simple Steps for Moving as a Student

Step 1: Pre-Move Preparations

Assess Accommodation

The first step you should take once you have secured your student accommodation is to take time to research your new living arrangements.

It’s vital you get in contact with the University so you know all you need to know for moving your belongings into student accommodation.  Your institution may send you details of the do’s and don’ts of what to do on moving day, checking this is crucial so that your move runs as smoothly as possible.

If possible, plan a visit to your accommodation to help you understand the specifics of your new place and plan accordingly. It is good to check what is already provided, such as a bed, desk, and chair, and what essentials are not included that you will need to bring.

Prepare Documents

It is essential to have all of the necessary documents ready for your move. This may include your lease or housing contract, university acceptance letter, and identification documents such as a driver’s licence or passport. Keeping these documents organised and accessible will save a lot of time and stress during the move, especially if you need to present them on moving day.

Step 2: Getting Organised for Moving Day

Declutter

Moving away from home gives you the opportunity to declutter your belongings. Go through each item and determine if it is a necessity for your move to university. Consider donating or recycling items that you no longer need and that others could make better use of. This will make your packing easier and reduce the number of items you are moving, saving time, effort, and resources.

Gather Packing Supplies

Collect all necessary packing materials in advance, this includes sturdy cardboard boxes, packing peanuts, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper. Having all these supplies on hand will streamline the packing process. Consider setting up a station for each stage of the packing process and assigning a member of your family to each stage, this will speed up the process.

Carefully Pack & Label Your Boxes

To ensure a smooth move, start packing your non-essential items in the weeks leading up to the move. Use bubble wrap to wrap fragile items and ensure each box is padded with packing paper or peanuts to minimise movement within a box. 

Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. Packing your items room by room will enable you to keep track of your progress and make the unpacking process much easier.

Create an Essentials Bag

When you arrive at your new accommodation, amidst a mountain of boxes, you will be thankful to have packed an essentials bag. This should include everything you may need for your first 24 hours in your new place. Such as toiletries, pyjamas, a phone charger, a change of clothes, snacks, and medications.

Step 3: Moving Day

Double Check Moving Details

Moving day will undoubtedly feel very overwhelming, so it is important to double check your moving details so there are no surprises. Most accommodations will assign students a time slot for them to move their belongings in to avoid an overwhelming number of students arriving at once.

Hire a Reputable Removal Company

Make moving day even simpler by hiring a reputable moving company who can pack, store, and move your belongings to their new location seamlessly. 

At Guardian Removals, our expert team has extensive experience helping university students prepare for the big move and safely delivering their belongings to their new homes ready for a new semester.

Step 4: Post-Move Organisation

Unloading & Organising

You’ve made it! Now comes the unloading and organising process. Use storage solutions like shelves and under bed storage to maximise space and keep your belongings organised. Arrange your furniture and possessions in a functional layout that suits your daily routine while creating a comfortable home away from home.

Spend Time with Your Flatmates

If you are moving into student halls, you are undoubtedly sharing a communal space with a handful of flatmates. Take this opportunity to introduce yourself and get to know the other students who are moving in alongside you.

University Packing List

Important Documents

• Passport / Driving licence
• Your university acceptance letter
• Student finance documents
• National insurance number

Bedroom

• Mattress protector
• Pillows
• Pillow protectors
• Pillow cases
• Bed sheets
• Duvet
• Clothes hangers
• Clothes horse
• Lamp
• Bin
• Storage boxes

Kitchen

• Pots
• Pans
• Plates
• Bowls
• Mugs
• Glasses
• Cutlery
• Tupperware
• Scissors
• Can opener
• Knives
• Spatula
• Dish soap, gloves, and sponges

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shower gel, shampoo and conditioner
• Soap
• Skincare products
• Hair styling products
• Medication
• Razor
• Tweezers
• Cotton pads and earbuds

Academic

• Laptop
• Sticky notes
• Planner or diary
• Pens and pencils
• Highlighters
• Staples and stapler
• Paper clips
• Books

Electronics

• Phone and charger
• Headphones
• Camera
• Extension leads
• Hairdryer and hair styling tools
• Speakers

Essential non-essentials

• Batteries
• Toolkit
• Blankets
• Cushions
• Plants
• Mirror
• Pictures of family and friends
• Hot water bottle
• Earplugs
• Cleaning supplies
• First-aid kit

Moving into Student House Checklist FAQs

How can I ensure I don’t forget anything important?

Use a comprehensive checklist and go through each room, listing items as you pack. Double-check your list before moving day to ensure nothing is missed.

What’s the best way to label boxes?

Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. Use colour-coded labels for quick identification and mark fragile items clearly.

How do I deal with feeling homesick after moving?

Stay connected with family and friends through calls and visits. Personalise your new space with familiar items and get involved in fresher’s week activities to meet new people.

Move to University with Guardian Removals

Moving to university is the start of an exciting chapter for many young people. If only you could click your fingers, and the packing and moving of your belongings was complete. Well, with Guardian Removals, it can be!

Our expert team of movers has extensive experience packing, storing, and moving belongings from one space to another. We use high-quality packaging materials and careful packing techniques to ensure the safety of your belongings from the moment we leave your home until we wave goodbye at your new student house.

Make moving to university a seamless process with the help of us at Guardian Removals. Contact us today to learn more!

Related Articles

• The Ultimate Moving House Checklist
• 12 Hacks to Pack Your Home Like a Pro
• Save Time When Moving