Moving Into University Housing

Our lives consist of myriad of experiences. There will be many destinations, departures, arrivals, goals and events that bring us to the various chapters of our lives. Relocating places of residence undoubtedly sets forth a new and exciting chapter because it is filled with fresh beginnings and adventure. Starting university and moving out of your parents home for the first time is one of the most colossal transitions you will make in life. It marks independence and immense opportunities, which allow you to improve your knowledge and progress into adulthood. Any relocation process entails strategic planning and preparations. Especially if it is your first time moving out, it is understandable to feel nervous and not know what to expect. Lets take a look at some of the essential tips that will help set you on the right path.

Universities have different relocation policies that should not be overlooked, check your university's website for the details early on. This will give you enough time to prepare and if you happen to forget something, you can always get it at a later date, as you are not relocating your home, just yourself. 

Make sure to pack according to the dormitory that you will occupy. Some dormitories consist of an entire apartment, where you will get a personal kitchen and bathroom respectively. On the flip side, as in most cases, all you'll get is a small one-room dorm that you will be sharing with another person. In this case, bathroom will be shared with multiple people and all of your toiletries will have to be stored in your dorm. This will leave very little room for personal storage and over packing may easily become a huge inconvenience. 

Most dorms will come with basic amenities, such as a bed, a desk and some shelves. Adequate bedding is essential before moving into your dorm. This includes a couple of mattress covers, pillowcases, sheets and a blanket. Toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc. should be bought prior to moving in. However, on occasion, these may also be purchased within or around the campus, in which case, certain laundry and kitchen items should be bought at this time as well. Make sure to pack a suitcase with comfortable clothing and footwear you will need on day to day basis, including under garments and plenty of sweaters. You may also want to pack going out clothing, as you will certainly attend a few social gatherings in your first year. Invest in a laundry bag, it will keep all of your dirty laundry in one place versus all around you. 

Since you are relocating for higher education purposes, make sure to pack all the stationery items you will need. You may even over pack on these essentials, because you will never have enough pens and pencils, as they will get misplaced or given out to fellow classmates who weren't being as strategic in their packing. 

Lastly, you may want to avoid purchasing expensive items, as most won't survive your first year and you will likely purchase these essentials multiple times throughout your entire stay. Your university will most likely provide a thorough checklist of the items you will need and accommodations that are provided upon your arrival. Follow their guidelines and plan accordingly before buying anything. 

If you are getting an entire apartment with personal bathroom and kitchen, consider hiring professional movers to help you with your belongings. Having an entire apartment to yourself leaves little room on restrictions on what you may bring, therefore enlisting your parents to help you move in may not prove adequate.