To move to university in Southampton, check your accommodation's move-in slot, pack only what you need, label everything and plan how belongings will travel. Halls have set arrival times, so confirm parking and drop-off rules first. This guide covers what to bring, how to get it there and move-in day.
Moving to university is the first time many people pack up their whole life and take it somewhere new, and the first time they arrive somewhere with hundreds of other students, all doing the same thing at once. It is exciting, and it can be chaotic, especially if you turn up without a plan for the car, the parking and the keys.
We help students move in and out of Southampton every year, and move-in day is one of the busiest times we see. This guide explains how to move to university in Southampton: how to plan your arrival, what to bring and what to buy later, how to get your belongings there, what happens on move-in day at halls, how private student houses work and a first-night checklist. It is general advice, and each university and accommodation provider has its own rules, so check yours.
How do you move to university?
Check your move-in slot, pack the essentials, decide how your belongings will travel and plan the drop-off. That is the whole job, and each of those steps is easier if you start early.
The University of Southampton says you need to book your arrival day and time, and that its booking opens in early September, with arrival instructions sent by email. If you are living somewhere else, such as Solent University's accommodation or a private provider, check their own instructions, because the arrangements differ.
What to bring and what to buy on arrival
The most common mistake is to bring too much. Halls rooms are small, and you can buy most things later. The University of Southampton suggests travelling light, bringing enough kitchen and cooking items to get started and buying anything you forgot later with your flatmates, so you can share.
- Bring: bedding, towels, clothes for the season, laptop and chargers, key documents, medication, a few kitchen basics and a few things that make the room feel like yours.
- Buy later: extra kitchen equipment, storage, decorations and anything you can share with flatmates.
- Check first: your accommodation provider's list of what is already provided, and what you need to bring.
Label your boxes and bags with your name and room number, and keep the number of items down, because everything has to be carried from the car or van to your room.
Getting your belongings there
There are three usual ways to get your things to Southampton, and the right one depends on how much you have and how far you are coming.
- The family car. Simple, and often enough for a room's worth of belongings, as long as you can park and unload.
- A man and van. Better for larger loads, furniture or a longer journey. Our guide to booking a student man and van explains how to get in touch and what to send.
- Storage over the summer. If you are coming back to Southampton, storing your belongings may be easier than taking them home. We offer storage solutions, so ask us.
Whichever you choose, book early. Move-in day is busy for everyone, including removal companies, and popular slots fill first.
Move-in day at halls
The University of Southampton's guidance describes the main September move-in days as very busy, with hundreds of students arriving at the same time. It says staff are on hand to direct you where to park and unload, you should follow their instructions to keep traffic moving and once you have unloaded you should move your vehicle so others can use the space. It also says you collect your room key or fob from a signposted point, can borrow a trolley and that student ambassadors are there to help.
- Arrive at your booked time, not earlier, because unloading space is limited.
- Bring help if you can, because carrying is easier with two people.
- Unload quickly, then move the vehicle.
- Parking restrictions normally apply at halls, but the University says they are temporarily lifted for move-in and move-out days, so check the dates shown at your halls reception.
This is what the University of Southampton says, and other providers may work differently. Check the rules of your own university and accommodation provider, and follow their instructions on the day.
Moving into private student houses
Private houses work differently from halls, because there is usually no set arrival slot and no ambassadors, just a letting agent, a landlord and a set of keys.
- Keys. Check when and where to collect them, and who will be there.
- Condition. Photograph every room, and any marks or damage, on arrival, with the date visible, and send them to the agent if the tenancy agreement says so.
- Parking. Streets around student areas can be tight, so plan where the van or car will stop. Ask Southampton City Council about the rules for your street.
- Stairs and access. Many student houses have steep or narrow stairs, so tell your mover.
- Housemates. Agree who moves in when, and who has the keys.
Tips for parents and helpers
Many students are helped by a parent, a relative or a friend on move-in day, and it makes a big difference. A few things help everyone.
- Agree the plan in advance: who drives, who carries and who stays with the vehicle.
- Load the car in reverse order, with the things you need first, such as bedding and a kettle, at the top.
- Bring a trolley, a bag for rubbish and a few tools, if the halls do not provide them.
- Keep the student's documents, keys and valuables with them, not in the boot.
- Do not stay too long. Halls move-in day is busy, and the student will want to meet flatmates and settle in.
- Agree a time to call or visit later in the week, so everyone knows the plan.
If you are travelling a long way
If you are coming from further away, a longer journey brings extra planning. Book your slot early, and check what time you can arrive, especially if you are travelling overnight. Pack the car carefully, keep the first-night bag within reach and plan stops so nobody arrives exhausted. If you have a lot of belongings, or furniture that you want to bring, a man and van can take the strain, and we also do long-distance moves across the UK. Tell us your address and your move-in slot, and we will confirm what we can do.
A first-night checklist
Whatever you are moving into, keep one bag with you for the first night, so you do not have to unpack everything to get to bed.
- Bedding and a pillow, and a towel.
- Phone, laptop and chargers, and a plug adapter if you need one.
- Toiletries and any medication.
- Food and a drink for the evening, and a few kitchen basics.
- Your documents, keys and university papers.
- A few basic tools, such as a screwdriver, scissors and tape.
Settling in during the first week
The first week is as much about people as about things. Introduce yourself to flatmates, find the shop, the bus stop and the library, and register with a local GP and dentist. Set up your bank, your phone and your university accounts, and tell anyone who needs your new address. Our guide to who to notify when moving house has a full list that also works for students. Unpack a little each day, rather than all at once, and do not worry if the room looks bare for a while.
Summary
- Check your move-in slot and parking first.
- Pack essentials and label everything.
- Choose how belongings travel early.
- Keep a night-one bag to hand.
FAQs
Check your move-in slot and parking rules, pack the essentials, decide how your belongings will travel and label everything. Keep a bag for the first night.
Bedding, towels, clothes, your laptop and chargers, documents, medication and a few kitchen basics. Check your provider's list, and buy the rest later.
Follow the instructions of the staff at your halls. The University of Southampton says parking restrictions are temporarily lifted for move-in days, and that unloading space is limited. Check your own provider's rules.
Yes. A man and van works well for larger loads and furniture. Tell us your addresses, your items and your move-in slot, and we will confirm.
Yes, we offer storage solutions. Ask us what is available for your dates.
One Last Thought
Moving to university in Southampton? Call K2 Swift Removals on 023 8111 3116 or 07356 097791 and we will give you a straight, free quote.
