Preparing for university is an exciting and daunting experience, but it also requires concentration and hard work to get right
There are loads of checklists describing what new students need to buy to transition from living in a bedroom in their parents’ house to being responsible for themselves. However, it can be hard to make decisions about the personal items to take with you, particularly when you own a lot of clothes, trinkets and keepsakes.
describing what new students need to buy to transition from living in a bedroom in their parents’ house to being responsible for themselves. However, it can be hard to make decisions about the personal items to take with you, particularly when you own a lot of clothes, trinkets and keepsakes.
To help, here are some tips on how you can make the agonising decision on what to take to university, what to get rid of, and what to leave at home…
Speak to your parents
Not only will your parents have tips on how to pack and choose what to take with you, but they’ll also be able to discuss what they want to do with your old bedroom when you leave. Some lucky students may have parents who are happy to keep their room as a shrine to them! However, for many, their parents will want to turn the spare space into something more functional, like a guest bedroom or even a study or gym. Find out how they intend to use your space so that you can understand what you need to do.
Find self-storage for bulkier items
If your parents are planning on redecorating or changing the use your bedroom, then you’ll need to take the majority of your possessions or get rid of some of your older items. If you have a lot of furniture or possessions that you don’t want to take to university or get rid of, then you might have to consider finding a self-storage unit.
You’ll also need self-storage insurance to ensure that if something does happen to your possessions, then you’ll be covered. A handy tip is to shop around getting quotes from independent insurers rather than just going with the cover offered by the storage provider. Check out companies like Surewise.com, who are on average three times cheaper than if you were to buy directly from a storage company.
Organise everything into piles
Create piles for each of your items, so that you can visualise exactly what you’re going to take with you, and what you’re going to leave behind. Make a pile of the essentials you’ve purchased to take with you, and another with everything you definitely want to take. Another pile should be for the items that you want to keep in storage, and a further pile should be everything that you don’t need and should donate or throw away.
Be ruthless
Once you’ve created piles of your possessions, you need to cut down the amount you’ll be taking with you to university. After all, most student accommodation is very small with limited storage space, so you won’t have much room for a lot of excess items. Also, you a lot of new stuff during your university experience, so you need to have some spare space in your room.
While there are some storage techniques that can use to maximise your limited space, you also need to reduce the amount of stuff you’re taking with you. Try not to be sentimental; if you have a lot of keepsakes, then put most of them in storage.
Remember: everything will still be waiting for you
Whether it’s in a self-storage unit or being kept in your parents’ house, you’ll still own all of your possessions, keepsakes and the things that remind you of the good times. Just because they aren’t with you, doesn’t mean that they aren’t safe. Don’t feel bad about leaving the things you like behind: you’re starting a new chapter in your life, and you can’t carry all your old baggage with you. Go out and make new memories and acquire new keepsakes at university!
Image credit: Mirko Vitali/123RF.com