Going to university is such an exciting prospect but the thought of moving and finally becoming independent can quickly become very daunting: especially if you’re not particularly organised.

Luckily, you’re not the first person, and certainly will not be the last, who might forget something important. It’s a pretty easy thing packing up your room and bathroom essentials and moving them to your new digs. The trouble lies in remembering to bring items you’ve probably not owned before.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 important things to remember when moving, but if you want a more extensive list of what to take to uni from bin bags to t-shirts, we’ve got your back.

Home Comforts

After the excitement of freshers and independent living wears off many students suffer from homesickness. Packing some things that remind you of home can help make the adjustment a little easier.

Whether it’s a family photo, a particular pillow or a candle that smells of home, these comforts can be super helpful, especially if your university is a long way away.

As tempting as it might be, try to refrain from bringing the family pet, they really belong at home.

Personal Documents

Though you might think it a good idea to leave some things at home so they don’t get lost, ID such as your passport should come with you.

If you want to get a part-time job during term time, most employers need to see your passport to prove your eligibility to work.

On another note, it might be a good idea to print off copies of documents that could come in handy during the move – but keep them in a safe place! Things like your acceptance letter, accommodation letter and anything regarding student finance just in case you can’t access an electronic device.

Stationery Essentials

If you’re a stationery enthusiast, your work is probably already done but the hard part is deciding what you can actually leave at home. Depending on your course, some universities might advise you on appropriate basics for note-taking.

A simple stationary kit consisting of a notepad, pens, highlighter, glue and stapler should suffice. You can create an Amazon wishlist of things you’ll need if family and friends want to help you.

What a lot of students don’t consider is purchasing core textbooks ahead of term. University textbooks will be available in the library but it might be a good idea to get your own copy for revision.

Core texts can be quite pricey so make sure you check eBay, if you don’t have any luck once you’re at uni you can check local charity shops or ask students in the year above.

Activities

To help break the ice, packing some games and activities is a great way to get the whole flat together to begin with. Taking a few childhood favourite board games, a deck of cards and a list of local leisure facilities are a great start.

There’s usually a lot of downtime when first moving in before lectures start, so taking a book or having a few project ideas can limit the boredom. Many universities encourage students to get in contact with flatmates before moving in. This will give you the perfect opportunity to create a list of games to bring between you all.

A doorstop

Lastly, but probably the most important one is to take a doorstop. Before you say no, hear us out.

You might not be a social butterfly but having your door open could be the difference between spending a Saturday night in your room thinking about doing the washing or going out, meeting new people and getting the uni experience.

Keeping an open door will make your flatmates see you as approachable and help make you feel less isolated.

So now you’ve got your packing list sorted, all that is left to prepare for university is to think about what you want to do first when you get there.