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It’s that time of year when students will be moving out of Mum and Dad’s house and halfway up the country into university halls. This is an exciting yet potentially stressful time of your life. So, if you’re flying the nest for the first time and want things to go as smoothly as possible, what can you do?

Plan a budget

Your university loan might be the biggest chunk of money you’ve ever received. We know it can be tempting to blow it all during Fresher’s week, but you’ll be kicking yourself when all you can afford by term two is Pot Noodle for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We know it’s not the most exciting task – but do take some time to plan a budget first. Write down all your monthly costs (food shopping, bills, transport etc.) so you have a guideline on how much you should be spending week in week out. You can thank us later – probably a long time after making all those long lists or spreadsheets!

Get to know your new housemates

You’re going to be living with these people for a whole year, if not longer, so get to know your housemates as soon as possible. Most universities have Facebook groups you can join to find flatmates, course mates, and other fellow students. Try and plan when you’re all going to be arriving – if you all swarm in at the same time, it’ll be chaos!

Plan your move in 

As well as coordinating your move in with your housemates, there are other things to consider. For example, is there parking? Will you have to carry your belongings up a flight of stairs? Do you have an allotted time frame for your move? Grab as much information as you can before move-in day. This way, you’ll be minimising stress levels on what will probably be a very full-on day.  

Downsize

We’re sorry to say, but your university halls aren’t going to be the size of a mansion. More realistically, you’ll have a snug room, a shared kitchen and a living room if you’re lucky. That means you need to be practical when packing as there’s a high chance you won’t have room to bring everything with you.

Think about seasonal items – you probably don’t need to bring all your summer clothes with you in September (unless you’re studying somewhere exotic!). Consider what items you’re likely to be sharing with your others. For example, you and your 5 other flatmates don’t all need to bring a kettle.

As you go through your belongings, weighing up what you should and shouldn’t pack, this is a great opportunity to throw some unwanted bits out. Or even better – sell some belongings to bag yourself some extra cash (consider it your emergency fund that you can add to that dreaded spreadsheet we told you about). 

Keep some memories

Whether you want to admit it or not, more people than you may realise suffer from homesickness whilst they’re at university. One of the best ways to tackle this can be by bringing some sentimental items with you; we’re talking photos to stick on your bedroom wall, your favourite mug… anything that gives you comfort.

Be careful though: the chances of you getting through university without damaging or losing anything are rather slim. 

How can M Store help?

We offer safe, secure storage that’s perfect for students or parents! To learn more about our options or ask any questions, give us a call on 01726 890880. 

Alternatively, you can email us at enquiries@m-store.biz or use our online chat to speak with a member of the team.