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This week we’re thinking about the countdown to university and all that accompanies it. It’s exciting but unless you’ve moved house before the prospect of choosing your most valued possessions to come with you can be daunting- especially if you’re moving to London from overseas. So how do you do it?
Our first bit of advice for prospective students is to define the things that are important to you. Although generic guidance on uni essentials can help, it can also blind you to the things you use every day and don’t realise until you get to your new dorm that you can’t live without! Your essentials can be entirely different to someone else’s- so take time to think to yourself, what are the most important things to me?
Remember that the definition of ‘essentials’ (while it might seem basic for everyone) on a packing list for students will also vary- for example the London Student Hotel is a student dorm with linens and bedding provided so our residents can cross that bulky stuff off their lists- whereas other student accommodation in Central London may not provide this.
Another important bit of advice is not to overpack- this is especially important advice for international students moving to London! As Sofia says, a suitcase with wheels can be very deceptive in that you feel happy you have fit everything inside it, until you’re alone at an unfamiliar airport and trying to drag it all to find the exit. Vacuum packs are a good idea for creating space in a bag, but the most important thing is to only bring what you absolutely need- you can go back and collect the rest another time.
Remember that when you are a student, accommodation can be very temporary, meaning you will be moving around a lot in a short period of time. Don’t make your student life in London difficult on yourself by giving yourself an immense packing task.
Some final advice is, if you can, bring a parent or friend to help you. There are tonnes of places for parents to stay on moving week, especially around Central London- we know we can’t be the only ones who are helping out by offering accommodation discounts for the families of students!
If you feel you’d still like some guidance, see below for generic bag packing tips and a sample list (be cautious of our earlier advice!), and a couple of links for advice on folding to make the most of space in your bags. Please share your packing photos with us on socials- we’d love to see them! Best of luck.