Starting, or returning to, university for a new term can be an exciting time – and a busy and perhaps stressful experience. For most, it means moving into new accommodation – either student housing or halls of residence – and that involves packing-up all your essential and personal items and getting them transported and into your new accommodation! Here is some information and guidelines on how to minimise the stress of this process and make the move smoother, easier, and more enjoyable!
Plan
Before undertaking any of the physical and practical aspects of your move, ensure that you have properly planned your moving day and have everything organised and ready to go. Create a checklist of ALL the items, large and small, that you are moving into your new accommodation – categorise your possessions in a manner that you understand – it may be by size, or function (all electricals etc), or categories such as cooking or personal products – it doesn’t matter how you categorise your items as long as you know what is what! This checklist will prove essential when unpacking your items, and then always keep it somewhere safe as it will act as a great guide when having to pack-up your goods again when you need to vacate that particular room or accommodation at the end of term, or if changing living location (which most students do year on year!).
Packing
Ensure you use sturdy, practical storage boxes or crates for your possessions – they are designed for easy transport and to keep your items safe from damage when being moved around. Invest in proper packaging materials – bubble wrap, strong cardboard and papers – and pack your items away in a logical manner. Place larger, heavier items on the bottom of each case or crate with the lighter items on top. Try not to put all heavy items together in one or two crates – it will make them more difficult to carry and safely move – try to spread the load weight-wise between all the crates and boxes you are using. Labelling all your crates and boxes is vital – it will help you unpack in an orderly and logical fashion once at your destination and will also make it easy to locate items you may need to access in a hurry or at short notice.
Self-Storage
Personal self-storage is a great option for students – student accommodation isn’t always, shall we say, the most generous of spaces! You may have seasonal items that take-up space, such as sports equipment or seasonal clothing – you may have trouble accommodating them in a small living space, so renting a self-storage unit nearby can be an ideal solution. Your possessions will be stored in a dry, clean environment where they will be kept in top condition in a safe and secure unit – you can get access to your personal self-storage unit at any time, and it will save you much space in your living arrangements.
Moving Day
On the actual moving day there are some actions that will make the experience easier and less stressful:
- Early Arrival – It is likely that your moving-in day coincides with many other students arriving for the term – ensure you get an early start and get to your new premises early before the ‘mad rush’ starts. It will be easier to get a good parking spot for unloading your possessions and reduce the distance the crates and boxes need to be carried to your new student house or halls of residence. It will also make it easier to get unpacked and ‘set-up’, and for you to settle-in to your new surroundings.
- Familiarise – Getting settled and comfortable in your new place is important – take time to properly familiarise yourself with your new accommodation and pay careful notice to all the safety aspects of your new location, such as the fire safety regulations, equipment and exits, and make yourself aware of any house rules in place for the living areas.
- Unpack – Put some thought into your unpacking – having initially packed your belongings in a logical and practical manner, use the labelling you applied to help you unpack. Prioritise unpacking the essential items first – bedding, kitchen supplies, and such – all the things you are going to need in the immediate future of being in your new surroundings.
- Routine – Establish what will a regular daily routine be for you once your university life is properly underway – include your social activities and commitments, time for self-care – oh, and time for study too! This will help you to acclimatise to your new situation and help establish a healthy work-life balance going forward.
- Explore – Having unpacked your immediate essentials in your living space, take time to get out and explore your new physical environment – locate your various buildings for lectures etc, and familiarise yourself with the university campus in general.
Summary
Moving into new accommodation can be an exciting experience – and for most students it will be the first time they will be living within their ‘own space’ as such after moving from home – but, for some, it can also be a stressful and somewhat daunting process! Preparing properly and getting organised for the move will help make it a smoother and easier process. Following the suggested guidelines here can be of great help – and consider the merits and benefits of self-storage to make the overall process, and your daily living comfort, less stressful and more enjoyable! Contact Chelsea Self Storage for more information.
