Going to University for the First Time? Here Are Our Top Tips

1. Don't take everything you own 

When you're packing for university, it's very easy to convince yourself that you'll need absolutely everything. You probably won't. Most university halls and student houses have limited storage, so start with the essentials and remember that you can always pick up anything you've forgotten later.

Think about what you'll genuinely use, including: 

• Everyday clothes and shoes 
• Bedding and towels 
• Laptop, chargers and study essentials 
• Toiletries 
• A few home comforts
• Kitchen equipment if it isn't already provided 
• Important documents and ID

And before buying a kettle, toaster, microwave and half of IKEA, check what's actually included in your accommodation. You don't want to arrive and discover you've somehow ended up with six frying pans between four housemates.

2. Find out what your accommodation includes 

Every student accommodation is different. Some rooms come with plenty of storage, while others give you a wardrobe, a desk and not a lot else. Kitchens can also vary considerably. Before moving day, check what's included and look at photographs or measurements of your room if they're available. It'll help you avoid overpacking and give you an idea of how much space you'll actually have.

3. Pack for your first few days separately 

One of the best university moving tips is also one of the simplest: pack an overnight bag. When you've spent hours travelling, carrying boxes and meeting new people, you probably won't want to search through five different bags to find your toothbrush. 

Keep your first-night essentials together: 

• Toiletries
• A change of clothes
• Chargers 
• Medication
• Bedding
• Important documents
• Tea, coffee and a few snacks

4. Label your boxes It might feel unnecessary while you're packing at home, but you'll appreciate it when you're surrounded by boxes in your new room. Keep similar things together and label every box clearly - Kitchen, Bedding, Books, Clothes and so on. It's also worth labelling boxes with your name if you're moving into shared accommodation. When several students are arriving at once, things can get chaotic quickly.

5. Don't forget about the move at the end of the year September gets all the attention, but there's another move students often don't think about until it's almost here: moving out for summer. Many student accommodation contracts finish at the end of the academic year. If you're returning to university in September, that can leave you with a bedroom's worth of belongings and nowhere to put them for a couple of months. Taking everything home sounds straightforward until you're looking at bedding, kitchen equipment, books, a monitor, clothes, a bike and several boxes wondering how it's all going to fit in the car. And if you're travelling home by train or live several hours away, it becomes even more difficult. That's where student storage can make life much easier

Student storage for the summer

Instead of taking your entire university life home and bringing it all back again a few months later, you can put the things you won't need over summer into a local self storage unit. Store your belongings securely, head home with the essentials and collect everything when you're ready for your next student house or accommodation.

Student storage is ideal for things like: 

• Clothes and shoes
• Bedding
• Books and study materials
• Kitchen equipment
• TVs and monitors
• Small furniture
• Bikes and sports equipment
• Boxes of personal belongings

It means less to carry, fewer car journeys and no filling your family's spare room or garage with everything you've accumulated during your first year.

Share a storage unit with your housemates 

You don't necessarily need an entire storage unit to yourself. If you're living with friends, sharing student storage can be a simple way to keep costs down. Depending on how much you have, two, three or more students may be able to share a unit and split the cost. Pack and label everyone's belongings separately, store them together and they'll be waiting when you return for the new academic year. Simple. 

No car? We can collect your belongings for free 

Getting your belongings to storage can be one of the biggest challenges - particularly if you don't drive. That's why Store First offers a free collection service, subject to availability and our collection terms. We'll bring the van to you, you load your belongings, and we'll transport them back to your Store First facility ready for you to move into your storage unit. It can save you the cost of hiring a van, trying to squeeze everything into a friend's car or making multiple trips across the city. If you're planning to use our free collection service at the end of term, it's worth arranging it early. Summer is a particularly busy time for student moves.

Secure storage while you're away 

When you're leaving your belongings behind for weeks or months, you want to know they're being looked after. Store First facilities offer secure self storage with 24-hour security and free, unlimited 24-hour access, so your belongings are there whenever you need them. That flexibility can be particularly useful if you're moving between student properties and need to collect your belongings outside normal working hours.

Student storage across the North 

Store First has self storage facilities across the North of England and Glasgow, making us a convenient option for students studying away from home. If you’re looking for student storage in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Derby, Burnley, Preston or another location near one of our stores, you can keep your belongings closer to university rather than transporting everything home for the summer. Then, when the new academic year arrives, you're already one step ahead. No packing the family car to the roof. No dragging suitcases and boxes across train stations. No wondering where you put your kitchen stuff three months ago. Just collect your belongings and get settled into your new place.

Starting university? Enjoy it! 

Your first year at university will bring plenty of new experiences, and moving away from home is all part of it. Pack sensibly, find out what your accommodation provides, keep your first-night essentials handy and don't worry if you forget something. You'll soon work out what you actually need. And when the end of the academic year comes around, remember: you don't have to take everything home with you. 

Store First offers flexible student self storage across the North, with secure facilities, 24-hour access and free collection available to make your summer move easier. 

Need student storage this summer? Find your nearest Store First facility or get a quick storage price online.