Student Moving Tips

Moving as a student can be a big deal. This may be your first, or one of the first times living on your own, and it often comes with a mix of excitement, nerves, and a long to-do list. Between packing up your belongings, coordinating schedules, managing a budget, and getting familiar with a new place, the process can feel overwhelming. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be. Read our student moving tips below on how to have a stress-free transition into your new home.

Planning

One of the most important student moving tips is to plan ahead. Starting early gives you time to organize your priorities, make informed decisions, and handle each step without feeling overwhelmed. Some of the things to keep in mind during the planning process are: 

1. Know Your Dates – (1) When can you get into your new place (2) When must you be out of your current place.

2. Connect & Book - Contact local moving companies or truck/trailer rental for cost estimates and book a service as soon as possible to make sure that they’re available for your needed dates.

3. Keep Yourself On Track – Make a checklist, organized by dates. A clear plan will help you stay on track and feel more prepared for moving day.

4. Plan Your Packing - Identify a packing list for what you’ll move and what you want to discard or re-home. Moving is the perfect time to declutter, especially as a student, since less stuff means lower moving costs and easier unpacking. Creating a packing list can be very helpful during this step - it keeps track of what you’re bringing, helps you stay organized, and prevents you from packing items you don’t really need. Check out the City of Kingston's Garbage & Recycling Page for disposal requirements, options and alternatives.

5. Coordinate & Communicate - Coordinate your move with your housemates so you’re not all trying to move out or move in at the same time - it can get very crowded both inside and outside the house. Communicate your plans with your landlord as well, and be sure to arrange a specific time to pick up or return the keys. They may need time to clean and prepare the property before your arrival (or after your departure), and some landlords prefer to be present on move day to handle inspections or any last-minute questions. Really Important: If you’ve booked a mover and you make any changes to your planned move - for example, adding more items, adding more housemates to the move - it’s critical that you let your mover know in advance. Changes may impact resourcing, scheduling, COSTS, and billing arrangements.

   
   

Packing

Our next student moving tip focuses on proper packing in order to stay more organized and efficient. With a bit of preparation and attention to detail, packing becomes a simple, structured part of the moving process rather than a source of chaos. Here are some helpful packing tips to keep in mind. 

1. Obtain Packing Materials – Make sure you have the right packing materials before you start. Sturdy moving boxes or totes, packing paper and/or bubble wrap for fragile items, and lots of tape! Whether you’ve hired a mover or are moving yourself, it’s best to avoid containers like garbage bags - these are not sturdy and might get overlooked.

2. Pack Smart - Pack heavy items in smaller boxes. Keep valuables, travel essentials, and any important paperwork with you.

3. Label - Remember to label all boxes and pack based on room (i.e., bedroom, kitchen, etc.,) so you know what’s in each box and what goes where when you arrive at your destination.

4. Packing Tips - Check out our blog for more information on our best packing tips.

Transport

Moving on your own can be more affordable and flexible, but it also requires more time and effort. On the other hand, using a moving company can save you energy and simplify the process, particularly for longer distances or heavier items. Here are some things to consider when planning your transportation. 

1. DIY? If you’re planning to transport your belongings yourself, think about the size of the vehicle you’ll need and whether you’re comfortable driving the vehicle. Consider whether everything will fit in one trip, or will you need to make multiple trips. It’s a good idea to start early in the day to avoid the crowd and be able to find parking close by. Be sure to protect fragile items, secure boxes so they don’t shift in transit, and plan your route in advance to avoid delays. 

2. Using A Mover? – Check in with them the day before for an approximate arrival time and make sure you’re ready for them. Ensure you’ve provided your movers with your contact information (cell phone) and any access instructions for origin and destination. Make sure you have arranged for payment and understand how the charges will be calculated for your move to avoid delays and confusion at delivery. If you’ve changed anything since your original estimate, let your mover know before move day.

3. Be Ready To Go – Make sure all your goods are organized, securely packed and ready for loading.

Unpacking

Our last student moving tip focuses on unpacking at your new destination. How you approach unpacking can shape how quickly your new place starts to feel comfortable and functional. Rather than rushing through it or leaving boxes untouched for weeks, taking a thoughtful approach helps you settle in faster and stay organized from the start. Here are a few helpful unpacking tips to ensure a smooth transition into your new home.

1. Efficiency - To be more efficient, place your labelled moving boxes into the appropriate rooms and make sure you have a knife to assist in opening boxes and cutting them down for recycling.

2. Proper Disposal - Go online to the City’s “Waste” page to find out when and how you can dispose of all your refuse/recycling. Remember not leave your cardboard in the elements to get soggy, as it will no longer be recyclable and will be an eyesore. 

Wrapping Up

Moving as a student doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. With a bit of planning, smart packing, and the right help, you can focus less on the logistics and more on settling into your new space and starting the next chapter of your life. Get in touch with us today to see what we can do for you to help you have the best move ever.

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Roommates squabbling? Need to focus on your exams? Fear not - we are here to help. Get in touch with us today to see what we can do for you to help you have the best move ever.