It is now exactly three weeks until moving day. Students worldwide will be panicking about one small issue: packing. Now, this is no ordinary packing, oh no, this is more than just a week’s holiday in Cornwall. No, this is a whole other species; this is University packing, which brings with it life-defining decisions such as choosing between the essentials such as course books to the life essentials; hair tongs. The most ordinary everyday things will cause copious amounts of stress for instance; should I get my stationary from Paperchase or Tesco? Will people think I’m pretentious if I bring a bicycle? Could a chocolate fountain be considered a tool for everyday living?
Having to pack your life into a suitcase is anything else but easy. Not only is the task of dealing with shopping for pillows and kitchen utensils hard but what about attempting to narrow down all of your belongings The entire essence of me has to fit in there was a question whirling around my brain. The thought that some of my clothes had to be left behind would bring me close to tears; don’t even mention the books.
I am not a naturally sentimental person. Sure, some items mean a lot to me, but not until now have I felt any attachment to the should-have-been-thrown-away-
6 tips for surviving the inevitable trauma of packing:
Make the great student pilgrimage to Ikea, who are lovely enough to provide many a cheap alternative to basic must-haves such as kitchen knives and coat hangers, as well as supplying a print off student shopping checklist on their website.
Avoid at all cost those toxic online student lists that lead you to believe your TV/ roller skates/ aged lava lamp are crucial cant-live-without items, they are not.
Pack clothes by outfit and don’t pack it unless it can be worn in 3 different outfits. This is the ultimate necessity check, and it means you’re less likely to get tired of the clothes you have brought. Same goes for shoes: Black leather boots could go with a lot, but the platform flip flops you last wore to a school disco when you were 12.. maybe not so much.
Don’t scrimp on the decor. Make your room your own, this is officially your domain, so cram in as much as want; plaster your walls in photos and posters, inspiring articles, poems, letters, anything that’ll change a plain old room into your very own haven. Have fun with it!
Self-catered? Talk to your flatmates and sort out a system so that your kitchen won’t be overloaded when you get there; how about three of you bring saucepans, someone else brings sharp knives, etc. Save money, space and trouble, just share!
Allow yourself some luxuries: A few favourite books, your top ten movies, some good speakers, whatever will help you feel at home and happy in your brand new environment.
Most importantly, don’t lose yourself in the packing process; try not to be nervous about who you want to be at University or who you should be. Pack how you want to pack, choose the Star Wars memorabilia mug over the stylish maroon ones, buy those multi-coloured fairy lights and let your personality run free and wild in the land of interior decorating. I am determined to make packing an enjoyable task and conquer those moving-out-woes. Fight with me fellow students!