Moving Home to Start University? Get Setup!
For all your moving needs, call our friendly team.
February 2019
Making the transition from high school to university is an exciting and hectic process for many different reasons. Not only are you choosing your prospective career path and hoping you continue to like it, but you’re also facing the task of moving out of home and into either a share-house, residential college facility or a student flat. Then there’s the daunting concept of meeting new people, making friends and adjusting to a completely different lifestyle and foreign environment. But hey, nothing worthwhile comes without a little challenge, right? Your new student life is bound to fall into place in no time - all it takes is some planning before you make the move and you’ll be away laughing!
Declutter
Before you start packing it’s a great idea to declutter your bedroom and/or study and assess what you currently have versus what you might need to buy. Once you’ve had a bit of a possession down-size, enquire as to what's provided at your accommodation and also find out how much storage you'll have in your dorm or flat. Once you know these minor but important technicalities, you will be able to make some choices as to what’s coming and what’s staying. Write lists for clothes, stationary, books, personal items and toiletries.
Sort Your Finances
Your finances are super important when enrolled in university and living away from the luxuries of the family home. You never appreciate that roll of toilet paper or grated cheese until you can’t afford either – this is why you need to have a good idea of your upcoming expenses and how you’re going to finance them. Start with your study costs and keep these separate from your living expenses. Write a list of your expected weekly necessities and whether or not these are accessible to you in your new situation. Always keep an emergency fund for those unexpected social events where you need a bottle of wine or two, or you and your friends decide to splurge and go out for dinner.
Pre-reading, Textbooks & Bargains
Many universities put their reading lists online weeks before their courses begin. It’s a very smart move to check out the material when it becomes available, even if your course feels far off in the distance. Pre-reading will give you an idea of what to expect from your workload, build a little confidence for the subjects you’ve elected and will get your head ready for the new work habits you’ll be needing to implement before you know it. As for textbooks, remember that you can almost always find second-hand copies that end up saving you quite a decent amount of money. Former students make good coin from listing their beloved textbooks online for you to grab a bargain and maybe even make a mate in the process.
Take a Virtual Tour of Your Neighbourhood and Campus
Check out your new university campus via google maps if you can find a good quality image – you can choose to turn the photo into a 3D map, and you’ll be able to have your own private tour before you even turn up for day one. Besides photos of the campus, also read up on your new town if you’ll be moving away from your current location and get a good sense of what’s on offer. Find out the best student spots - where the cheapest Ramen is sold, what pub has the best Saturday vibe and whether there’s any good walking or running tracks nearby for releasing any study stress.
Label Everything
University residential colleges can be small or large, sometimes accommodating massive numbers. When it comes to doing your laundry or using the communal kitchens and bathrooms, you’d be surprised how easy it is to start losing exfoliating gloves, socks, Tupperware, books and more. Lame as it might look or feel, there’s absolutely no shame in making sure all your personal items are branded with your initials. Anything you bring from the comfort of your dorm room and into opportunistic shared spaces, is at risk of never being seen again.
Pack for All Seasons
Moving out of state for your university studies can also mean a shift in the climate you’ve grown up in. Remember that while you might feel like you’re on a strange, exciting and slightly stressful holiday, you are not only going there for the Summer. Moving in the warmer months can be deceiving when you’re choosing what clothing and bedding to bring to your new digs. Pack as if you are going to experience it all – which you are. Investigate what the average daily temperature will be and if you are equipped for this. If space is said to be limited in your dorm wardrobe, pick a few of your most reliable and reused items to keep you going until the first visit back home.
Get Professional Help
Planning for the move and actually executing the move are two completely different things. If you’ve managed to get your head around the ins and outs of your upcoming student-dorm, it’s probably time to get on the road and get going! Save the angst for exam week, keep calm and call John Ryan Removals to assist you with the moving process. Based in Melbourne, John Ryan Removals are experts in packing, interstate furniture removals, furniture storage and relocation services. We’ll even hand your mum a tissue as she realises you’re not taking her with you… Call our friendly team for a free quote.