The Ultimate University Packing Guide

Stress: that is one word that might resume the couple of weeks before your great move to university. The apprehensions of moving somewhere new and leaving your family and comfort zone behind aside, you might be stressed about how to efficiently prepare for the big move. What to pack? How to make sure you have everything you need for a smooth transition to university? Check out our ultimate university packing guide!

Speak to other students!

Number one task on your list: speak to others who have already lived in the dorm, or any other type of accommodation, that you will be living in. Join a network, whether it is via your university website, Facebook groups or other social networking platforms, and speak to previous residents about the amenities already available and about what you are going to require. This will help you create a list of the things you will both need and want.

What to pack?

A list of the essentials that you are going to need is crucial so that you do not miss anything. We have categorized all of the items you have to pack for university into different groups that you can tackle one at a time. This will make sure you are not flustered!

Beddings:

• Sheets
• Blankets/ duvets and duvet covers
• Pillows and pillowcases
• Mattress protector
• A comforter if you need it

Clothes and laundry items:

• Underwear and socks
• Jeans/ pants / leggings / sweatpants
• Tshirts/ dress/ blouses
• Sweaters / jackets / coats
• Pyjamas
• Gloves / hats / scarves
• Formal / business-casual clothes
• Sneakers/ comfortable walking shoes
• Fancy shoes for parties and boots for winter
• Bathrobes
• Towels
• Clothes hangers
• Laundry baskets
• Jewelleries

Toiletries and bathroom essentials

• Soap / shower gel and shampoo
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Nail clipper
• Razor
• Sanitary items
• Painkillers and flu medications
• Skincare products
• Make-up essentials and make-up remover

Study essentials

• Notebooks
• Organizing folders
• A planner
• Pens / pencils / highlighters and other stationaries
• Textbooks, if needed
• Laptop & charger
• USB drives

Other items for your room:

• Lamp
• Some decorative items to make you feel at home
• Bedroom bins
• Mini fridge

“Kitchen” items

• Mugs and glasses
• Cutlery
• Plates and bowls
• Some pans, baking trays, knives and other cooking utensils if you have a kitchenette
• Tea towels
• Tupperware boxes

When to start packing?

After making this list comes the next important step: start packing!
A big mistake that students make is leaving everything for the weekend before the big move, including purchasing the items that they will need. You should start preparing for the move as soon as you get your acceptance letter! Tackle one of the categories mentioned above at a time and cross items of the list! This is the best way to avoid any form of packing stress.

How to pack?

If you are strategic about the way you pack your items, you will be amazed at how many items you can fit in your car.

Get boxes and bin bags
Cardboard boxes are effective because they can be broken down and recycled for future use. Boxes are useful to pack both heavy and light items. Moreover, you can line them with cushions and other paddings to protect fragile items. Another asset is bin bags, which are very sturdy. You can just fill them up with non-breakable items and squish them in your car.

Do not forget to label everything!

After you are done packing everything, load everything in your car, starting from the heaviest and sturdiest items at the bottom. Pack everything tightly, do not hesitate to fill your car up and off you go to a great adventure!

We wish you good luck for this new journey of your life!