First Day at University: Moving In

This article continues from First Day at University: When you Arrive.


Exploring your Room

So, you have made it to the university and have picked up your keys. Now the next thing to do is to "move in". Go and explore your room first and try to remember the way there - soon you could be carrying heavy boxes and don't want to get lost en-route! In your room you will probably find some sort of starter pack with your terms of use policy and other information like what to do during a fire alarm. I will come back to this later. For now you should start moving your belongings in (for more information see my What to Take guide).

If you have been driven up then if you haven't been able to get a parking space nearby it might be a good idea to move the car to the entrance, quickly unload everything and wait with it by the door while the car is reparked. Whatever you do, don't leave your belongings alone to move them to your room because thieves are opportunists and know that things get left around during moving in day. If you are travelling alone then obviously this isn't possible, but try to find someone like a student helper to give you a hand.

Moving in your Belongings

Once you have moved all of your stuff to your room then you should do one thing before you start unpacking. In your welcome pack you will probably have been given some sort of inventory. This will tell you everything that is meant to be found in your room (e.g. bed, lamp, desk and so on) and will ask you to make sure that everything is in good working order. So, check around and make sure that you are satisfied that everything works (if a light bulb is blown for example write it down). When that is complete I would advise doing one of two things: go food shopping or start unpacking.

Shopping and Unpacking

If you followed my suggestion in the previous article and arrived early then I would recommend doing the food shopping first. The reason is that if there are only one or two supermarkets close then later in the day they will be absolutely packed with people. I had to queue for about 40 minutes to pay, and also found that some of the things I wanted simply weren't there because others had taken them. If you are with your parents then it is a good idea to buy in bulk and try to get them to pay for it (even if they won't at least you will have the car to transport it). Remember though that you aren't going to make friends with the people you share the kitchen with if you fill the fridge and freezer before they arrive. Try instead to stock up on non-perishable goods you can store in your room.

By the time you get back with the food you might find other people have started to arrive. Put your shopping away and keep an eye out for anyone else moving in to your corridor or flat. If you meet anyone then introduce yourself and, if your parents are around introduce them too. Offer to give them a hand moving their own belongings in (it's a good way to get off on a positive footing with someone). Once this is all said and done I suggest sorting out your room, but first put a couple of beers/bottle of wine on ice for later. I don't think I need to offer unpacking advice except to simply say that while you are at it you may as well put it away tidily and do it all, because if not you will probably find yourself with boxes still left around your room in a few weeks time.

Saying Goodbye to your Parents

Once you have done your unpacking it's time to say goodbye to your parents. I have been asked by a lot of people I know who are beginning university next year at what time their parents should leave, and have answered the same way each time: as soon as possible. You are going to have to do it sooner or later. Don't be afraid to cry, your mum probably will! You are in a new place and know nobody so it can be a terrifying prospect. Believe me when I say though that within a few hours you will probably have left all these thoughts behind you and will be having a great time.


Now that this is all sorted out, it's time to meet your flatmates. Look out for this article soon!

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