Top 3 Moving Day Essentials for Students
Moving into a new student house is exciting, but it can be truly chaotic without a plan. Whether you’re moving from campus accommodation to a terraced house or starting fresh in first year, you’ll need to be prepared.
With the right organisation, you’ll save time, money and a whole lot of stress too. From sorting out your belongings to asking for help, there are so many ways to get a brilliant head start to the new academic year.
No matter how far you’re moving, here are three of the most essential steps for a smooth and successful moving day as a student.
1. Pack smart
Once you’ve finalised the move-in date, your next task is to pack up your belongings. This process is often easier said than done, with many students not actually realising how many things they own until it’s time to put everything in boxes!
Start in small, manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Your first task could be sorting through your clothes, books and personal items, which should all be light enough to pack down and carry.
If you prefer to be visually organised, you could use three large boxes as follows for this step. One box for three categories, including:
- The essentials: Like your toiletries, books and gadgets.
- Donations: Anything you’re happy to give away.
- Throwaways: If something’s no use to you or anyone else, it’s time to take it to the tip.

2. Plan your storage
If there’s a gap between tenancies, you’ll need to arrange the best option for your belongings. Many students are lucky enough to have friends in the same city, and if that’s your situation, you could always ask to keep some bags at their place short-term.
Alternatively, you could consider short-term storage options for a safe and hassle-free answer. Self-storage companies often provide flexible contracts and secure facilities, which help to give you convenience and peace of mind while you settle in.
Just don’t get caught out with overlap or late fees, especially if you’re not sure on your final moving date yet.
3. Think about transport
Moving is stressful enough when you have removals professionals helping you, but if you’re doing it independently, you’ll need to make sure that your car is safe and ready to go.
If you’re driving your own car and your parents are helping with theirs, you could get multi-car insurance to keep things flexible. This will make sure that both vehicles are legally covered, with named drivers to help you all manage the workload and responsibilities on moving day.
Driving your own car gives you much more agency than relying on someone else – or, even worse, using public transport. But no matter your situation, arranging everything in advance will give you the confidence and clarity you need for a smooth move.
Ready to get going? With streamlined organisation, storage and transport, you’ll be all set to enjoy the first week of term in your new place!
Top photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
