Prepare for the Move
There is a list of things that are essential for your move and we will discuss them bellow. Of course, if you miss or forget something, you can always get it after you move there! To begin with, have in mind that you will have at your disposal only a small room and there won’t be much space. So, only take items that you are sure will be useful and will come handy. Otherwise – you better leave it behind. Of course, make sure you are aware of what the university dorm has in the first place, and consider what else you will need to bring or buy after your arrive there.
Prepare a suitcase with your clothes and shoes for the school year and put the rest in boxes. Make sure it is an appropriate size because you will need to find a place in your room to keep it until you need it again – it may be under the bed or behind the door. Items that are larger and/ or heavier and occupy lots of space, could be omitted from the packing and you could get them after you arrive at your new residence – pillows, sheets, pots & pans, etc., if the university doesn't give you those.
Different universities have different rules – there are dormitories where you will get a whole apartment for yourself with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen; in other dorms you will have a room to yourself while the other premises will be shared, but you may have to get pots and pans. In still other universities rooms could be shared, and the kitchen is at the end of the hall for everyone there to use. Some universities offer a choice and you can select what level of privacy and convenience you wish to have, being alone in a room/ apartment being the most expensive option, while other universities, especially such with lower education costs, for example universities in Eastern Europe (which could mean only lower standard of life, not lower quality of education or dorms) just put you up in a double room. You may be alone only if you get lucky because there are less students than beds.
You will usually find in a dorm some basic furniture like a bed, a desk, a small wardrobe, shelves and a table. Some universities apply restrictions as to what you could not bring so acquaint yourself before the move. Other than that, you can consider taking the minimum from the list that follows and buy the other things you need after you arrive.
Different university have different dormitories. What does your new room have?
Moving to University Checklist
Now, here is your checklist for moving into university residence:
Mattress protector – x 1
Pillow – x 1 or 2, depending on your preferences
Pillow cases – x 2
Bottom sheets and covers – x 2
Blankets – x 2
Bath towels – x 2
Hand towels – x 2
Laundry basket
Drying rack (you can get one after you arrive, if it is not provided by the university or left behind in the apartment by a student who’s used the premise before you)
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Bathroom cosmetics by choice (shaver, shaving foam, shampoo, soap/ shower gel, hair conditioner, medicines, lens liquid cleaner, etc.)
Medical kit
Desk lamp
Alarm clock (unless you don’t have one on your phone)
Rubbish bin for your room
Items of sentimental value like photos in frames, lucky charms, etc.
Washing powder and softener
Electrical items (hairdryer, curling iron, etc.)
Clothes – check the climate of the area to decide what to bring; in some cases you may not need winter clothes, for example
Official clothes and shoes – even if you don’t plan to use those, have at least one pair of each, just in case
Gym and/ or swimwear
Backpack for going to university every day – it will be useful for you if you could find a water resistant bag that is strong enough to hold all you will need for your studies in class like textbooks and notebooks, a laptop, a water bottle, etc.
Laptop – usually universities have public computers but a laptop is convenient for working from your room like when you have to make presentations and write reports, also to keep in touch with friends and family
Chargers for your devices – laptop, phone, tablet, etc.
Printer – it will be very useful when you have to submit papers
Camera and batteries, if necessary
Iron
Torch
A4 file paper and/ or notebooks
Some dormitories have a common kitchen and you may have to also bring pots and pans, or buy them after the move.
Memory stick
Dictionaries, if you will be learning languages
Calculator – even if you won’t use it for your studies, it could certainly come handy for other estimations you may need to make
Personal ID and/ or driving license
Passport photos
Insurance papers
Bank account number
Documents required by university like those related to scholarship and dormitory
CV
Items you will need for your hobbies like a musical instrument or special equipment
Moving to University Extra Tips
Other than those things, here are some additional moving to university tips that will make your life easier.
If you have a health condition like epilepsy or other, you may decide to inform your flatmates and the other students in the corridor where you keep your med and what to do in case you need medical assistance.
Travel. Your parents can take you to university but if there is another student going to the same city, you can share a ride together. It will be more fun! Or you can ask someone to drive you there and you could cover the cost for petrol.
Get movers. If you've decided to move more things, and you need transportation, you can rent a van and drive it yourself, or ask movers to do it for you. Or you can find a friend, or a relative, who is willing to help. Making an inventory list with what to bring can help your move. Here is some useful information on how much movers charge.
