The Ultimate Student Moving Checklist for 2025
With 752,025 undergraduates applying in 2023, universities are seeing record numbers of students moving into accommodation. That means moving days are getting even busier.
Moving to university is an exciting time, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to remember every single thing you need to pack. Most students forget something important on moving day, whether it’s their tenancy agreement, extra coat hangers, or even a laundry basket.
That’s where a clear, simple checklist comes in. Having all the essentials organised before you go means less stress, fewer last-minute dashes to the shops, and more time to enjoy your first week in your new place.
I’m Marcin Markiewicz, founder of Removals & Storage Experts. After years of helping students move into student accommodation and store their belongings during summer breaks, I know exactly what students tend to forget and how to make moving as smooth as possible.
In this guide, I'll share the moving checklist we use when moving students into accommodation.
Essential Items to Include in Your Student Moving Checklist
Moving to university isn’t just about packing clothes and a laptop. A proper student moving checklist should cover everything from important documents to kitchen supplies you’ll use daily. Here’s what to tick off first.
Important Documents You Can’t Forget
Start with paperwork, because without it, you might not even get your keys. Pack your passport, tenancy agreement, student ID, and any insurance paperwork in a folder or wallet you can easily grab on moving day. Keep a copy of your contact details and your new address written down too - most students rely on their phones for everything, but if it runs out of battery, a paper copy can save you a lot of stress.
Daily Essentials for Your Room & Bathroom
Your new room will feel more like home when you have the right essential items ready from day one. Pack bedding (duvet, duvet cover, sheets), coat hangers for your wardrobe, and a few home comforts like cushions or photos. For the bathroom, take a wash bag with toiletries, a toilet brush, and a supply of toilet rolls and hand towels - these are things you’ll need on a daily basis.
Kitchen Supplies for Student Accommodation
Even if you’re moving into fully furnished university accommodation, don’t assume everything is provided. Check in advance what’s included to avoid buying duplicates. You’ll need plates, glasses, a chopping board, knives, wooden spoons, a frying pan, and a few non-perishable food items like baked beans, pasta, and tea bags to get started.
Electronics & Study Essentials
A reliable laptop, chargers, and a portable hard drive are must-haves for assignments. Don’t forget smaller electrical items like a hair dryer or desk lamp. Keep your valuables safe; student accommodation can be high-risk for theft, so consider contents insurance if it isn’t already covered.
Moving Day Survival Kit (First Night Bag)
Pack a separate bag with the things you’ll want to access straight away: toiletries, hand towels, a few snacks, a change of clothes, and a laundry basket or bag for dirty clothes. Add a couple of home comforts: a favourite mug, your glasses, or photos of family and friends to make your new place feel like home.
Top Tips for Packing Like a Pro
Packing for university can feel like a huge job, but with the right approach, you can save space, cut costs, and keep fragile items safe. Here are some top tips to make the process easier.
Start Packing Early & Stay Organised
Don’t leave it all to the night before; you’ll only forget things and create extra stress. Start packing at least a week before moving day, tackling one room at a time. Use a written or digital moving checklist to keep track of everything, ticking items off as you go.
Use the Right Moving Supplies
Invest in sturdy boxes, smaller boxes for heavy items like books, and plenty of packing paper or bubble wrap for fragile items. A roll of tape and a marker pen are essential for sealing and labelling boxes. If you can, reuse boxes from family or friends to save on cost.
Label Everything & Make a Note of Your New Address
Clearly label each box with its room and contents, so unpacking at your new place takes minutes, not hours. Write your new address on at least one box in case labels fall off during transport. Adding “first night essentials” to one box will also help you find your essential items quickly.
Keep Costs Down by Packing Smart
Most students take far too much. Be realistic - if you haven’t used something in the last six months, leave it behind. Decide what you can sell, donate, or store before you pack to avoid hauling unnecessary stuff to your university accommodation.
Moving and Storage Tips for Students
Moving to university isn’t always as simple as going from one home to another. There were around 1.32 million first-year students at UK universities in 2023/24—nearly everyone moving into halls or houses needs packing, storage, or moving help. Many students need to store belongings during summer breaks or while studying abroad, and keeping everything organised can save a lot of stress.
Short-Term Storage Solutions
If you’re moving out of halls for the summer or heading home between terms, short-term storage can save you from hauling all your belongings back and forth. At Removals & Storage Experts, we help students by collecting items directly from their student accommodation, storing them securely, and delivering them back when the new term starts. Using a professional service means you don’t need to hire a van or carry heavy boxes yourself.
Protecting Your Valuables
Student housing can be a hotspot for theft, so keeping your valuables safe is essential. According to a survey by Save the Student, 4 % of students experienced a break‑in or burglary in their accommodation in 2025, making contents insurance essential, not optional.
Check whether your belongings are covered under your parents’ insurance policy, but most students need their own student contents insurance. Bear in mind that many insurance policies also cover accidental damage, which can save you money if something expensive gets broken.
Check Your Property and Update Your Address
Before you get too settled, inspect your student accommodation for any damage. Take photos and make a note of anything that looks worn or broken, then report it to your landlord or accommodation office straight away - this can help you avoid costs at the end of your tenancy.
Next, update your new address with your bank, doctor, university, and any subscriptions. Your student union may also need your latest contact details to keep you informed about events and services.
Make Your Room Feel Like Home
Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming at first, so surround yourself with a few home comforts. Add cushions, photos, or your favourite mug to make the room feel personal. Having everything organised, from clothes on coat hangers to kitchen essentials in their place, will help you settle in quickly and focus on enjoying your first term.
If your new student kitchen is tiny, look for space-saving tips for small student kitchens to help keep your pots, plates, and spices organised without clutter.
Find the Right Student Accommodation with StudentTenant
Looking for reliable student accommodation or need help finding a place that fits your budget and lifestyle? StudentTenant makes it easy to compare properties, book viewings, and secure your new place before term starts. Whether you’re moving into university accommodation for the first time or upgrading to a private student house, StudentTenant gives you all the tools and advice you need to make the right choice. Start your search today and tick one more thing off your student moving checklist!
About The Author
Marcin Markiewicz is the owner of Removals & Storage Experts, helping students and London residents move and store their belongings safely and stress-free. With over a decade of experience in removals and student storage, he shares practical tips to make moving day easier, from smart packing to organising secure short-term storage.