Moving out of halls can be a daunting experience, but we have you covered with tips in our expert guide to moving out and moving on from the first year.
As your first year draws to a close, you’ll suddenly realise you have to pack away the room in which you’ve lived for a year in preparation for moving back home.
The end of the term usually creeps up on you, and most students find themselves in a frenzy at the end of June, desperately trying to pack, tidy, and clean their flats before it’s time to go home for the summer.
Tips for moving out of first-year halls
Here are some of my top tips for moving out. As a university graduate, who has moved out of accommodation at the end of each of my three years, I feel as though I am more than equipped to spread a little knowledge on packing day.
1. Be brutal
Some things don’t need to come back with you. That broken spatula you haven’t used for weeks? A stack of course books you’re never going to read again? You don’t need to take these home with you! Save yourself the stress later by sorting things out now. Don’t just pack everything for the sake of it, sort through your belongings and work out what you need to take home.
2. Donate
Unless you’re an expert meal planner, it’s likely that when you move out, you are going to have some food still sitting around in your cupboards. Don’t throw this away- donate it to your local food bank. Most food banks accept unopened, long-life food such as rice, tins, pasta, and jars of sauces.
3. Sort through things in advance
As above, you may not be able to bring everything home. If you have limited space at home and know some things are going to have to stay behind, you can sell them. By doing this you can make a bit of money and help the environment. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, don’t forget that! Give yourself enough time to sell or donate your items so they don’t have to be hurriedly chucked in the bin before you move out.
4. Put it away until September
Some things can go in boxes and remain there under your bed or in the attic until September. You’re unlikely to use your uni kitchenware over the summer, so wash it up and put it all together in a box. This means you don’t have to sort through it and can put it away until September when you can bring it straight back to uni.
5. Clean your flat
Before leaving clean your flat and make sure to clear your room of any leftover items or rubbish. You want to make sure you get your deposit back, so hoover, mop, and empty your bins.