Planning For The Big Move To University Or College

What do I need to bring to University?

The big day is getting closer and closer.

That’s right, it’s almost time for you to get ready for one of the biggest adventures of your life: it’s nearly time to move away from home to go to university!

This is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. After all, you’ve never lived away from home before. You may not even know where to begin to pack and prepare yourself for your first place on your own.

That’s what we are here for. Read on to learn what you need to know before you move to university.

Dorm room or rental?

Before you start your preparations, you need to nail down whether you will be staying in a dorm room, or in a rental apartment or room. Since, dorm rooms will provide a lot of basics, that will change what you will need to pack.

Typically, the following items will be supplied in a dorm room:

• Desk
• Bed
• Mattress  
• Chair
• Shelves  

Keep in mind that what will come in the dorm room will be basic. There might be an opportunity to “upgrade,” particularly with a chair or shelves, but you will also have limited space.  

Before bringing in your own furniture, confirm that you will be permitted to ring it into the room.  

A place of your own

If you are living off campus, you will likely need to supply the items that are outlined above. In many apartments, there will be shared spaces that you may or may not need to furnish. Check with the property owner/manager. They should be able to tell you what you’ll need to bring and possibly put you in contact with other students whom you will be sharing the space with.  

Living that dorm life!

Most of you, however, will be living in a dorm. Fun! If you are properly prepared, the year that you spend living with peers in a dorm will be one of the best of your life.  

So, what is the most important thing to bring to university?  

That’s tough to nail down, but keep in mind that you will spend more time in your room than anywhere else. You’ll want to be comfortable. Think about what that means for you and pack accordingly.  

That said, there are some basics you’ll absolutely need.  

Those include:

• Bedding
• Towels
• Pillows
• Garbage can
• Coffee maker
• Kettle
• Mini refrigerator (if allowed)
• Hot plate (if allowed)
• Extra storage
• Hangers  
• Toiletries  
• Games/sports equipment (i.e., a chess board/frisbee)

No list can possibly be exhaustive, so try to see the dorm before you go and give it a lot of thought. You won’t want to bring too much, but you also don’t want to under-pack. It’s easier to bring something home at Thanksgiving than it is to live six weeks without something you need!

Finally, make sure that you bring a touch of home with you. Your year in the dorm will be a lot of fun, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get homesick from time to time. Photos, favourite books, posters from your room, etc. can help those blue days go by just a little faster.

Make sure to follow and like MoveBuddy on Facebook for more tips for living away from home, coming soon!

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