It’s reached that time of the year again when exams are over and you are getting ready to pack up your uni accommodation to make the move back home for the summer. And let’s face it, packing up your belongings can be extremely tiresome, particularly after the stress of exams.
Moving back and forth between home and university over the years can be a real test of your packing skills so it’s important to get it right! To help make the move a little easier, we have put together some of our top tips to help you enjoy your last few days with your friends.
To ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible, you should make sure to inform your student accommodation of the date that you are planning to check out. That way, they can be on hand if you have any questions and will be able to promptly inspect your accommodation, helping you to get your deposit back in a timely fashion.
You should also make sure to inform your bank, mobile provider, car insurance etc. of your new postal address so that important letters no longer get sent to your student accommodation address.
To help make your life a little easier when you come to unpack, you should give yourself enough time to sort through your belongings and put them into appropriate categories e.g. kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Packing the items into accordingly labelled boxes will mean everything is ready to go for when you move into your accommodation at the start of the next academic year, meaning you will spend less time unpacking, helping you to settle in quicker.
Whilst going through this process, you should also decide whether you want to keep everything. After all, when it comes to unpacking in September, you won’t want to be faced with a load of belongings that you no longer need. As you pack, sort your items into three categories: keep, bin, or give away. That way, you will know exactly what items should be packed ready for next year and which should be donated to charity or sold online for a few extra pennies.
Although often one of the dreaded tasks, cleaning your student accommodation well is an extremely important step when it comes to moving out. Once most of your belongings are packed away, you should thoroughly clean your room, bathroom and kitchen area until they are in the condition that they were when you moved in. Be sure to cover all the forgotten places, such as windowsills, ovens and under the bed. Making sure your accommodation is spic and span will mean you are more likely to get your deposit back, which could be put towards your deposit for the next academic year.
Before the moving day, look into whether there is appropriate parking nearby, as the last thing you will want to do is make multiple trips back and forth to a car parked streets away with large, heavy boxes. Speak to your accommodation providers to see if there is any onsite parking available that can be used temporarily as you move out. If not, they may be able to point you in the direction of the closest parking to help make the move as easy as possible.
Now that you are all packed up and ready to go, it’s time to say your goodbyes and check out. You’ll no doubt be feeling a mixture of emotions as it has been your home for almost a year! As you lock your bedroom door for the last time, make sure you have taken everything with you to save making a panicked trip back for any forgotten belongings.
Make sure to hand your keys back to reception and be sure to say goodbye to the team as we always miss our students!
If you are an international student, or a domestic student without the necessary storage space or transport, then it may be best to put your belongings into storage for the summer. When it’s time to move back for the next academic year you can easily pick up your things to take to your student accommodation, without having to move everything long distances.
Or, if you are planning to take your things back home rather than renting out a storage unit, then make sure you have somewhere appropriate to keep everything whilst you enjoy the summer break. You won’t want the boxes taking up your bedroom floor space, so find somewhere out of the way, such as the loft or a watertight shed to prevent any damage.
Now that you have packed up your belongings and are ready to settle down for the summer, it’s important to remember to book your student accommodation for the next academic year. Be sure to book ahead before there are no longer any rooms left at your chosen place of residence.
If you are studying in Bournemouth, then why not take a look at student accommodation with Lulworth Student Company? Lulworth Student Company is ideally located just a ten minute walk from the town centre and a short bus ride from Bournemouth University and AUB. At Lulworth, we have a variety of ensuite rooms and studio rooms available so you can find the right option for you for the next academic year. For more information, visit our booking page or contact a member of our team who will be happy to help.