How To (Re-)Pack For Heading Home This Summer!

The time has come: your first year at university has ended, and now you have the challenging task of… well, going home! Whether you're staying in a house with mates next year or sticking in halls, you're faced with the tricky task of knowing what to do with the stuff you'll need next year - so have a look at some tips of the tips below to get your mind going! :biggrin:

Sort Through Your Belongings!
During your time at uni, you've probably picked up more bits and pieces than you ever thought you would - and whether that's a rarely used frying pan or ten bulky course textbooks, it's a good idea to separate the things you're taking home, putting in storage, giving to charity or outright dumping. Not just does this make the packing process a whole lot easier, it also allows you to make smarter choices on what to throw and what to keep so you're not landing home to your family with a pile of junk.

Look at Storage Options!
If you're returning to university next year, there might be some objects you don't want to carry all the way home only to bring them right back in September. If that's the case, consider looking at local storage companies, like Big Yellow Storage - they offer smaller storage options ideal for students, and there's several locations near Kingston. This is particularly good for any objects that are too heavy or fragile to carry any real distance - e.g. coffee machines, dinnerware or any small kitchen electricals.

Pack Sensibly!
Unfortunately, packing might require a bit more thought than just throwing everything in your bag at random! Suitcases and packing cubes can be bought relatively cheaply at shops like Primark, but if you can't find any that suit your purposes, maybe check out a few local charity shops for used but reliable luggage options. Furthermore, if you have a LOT of stuff and want to pack it as efficiently as possible, there are hundreds - probably thousands - of TikTok and YouTube videos floating about on how to use your luggage space wisely.

Enjoy Your Last Few Days!
Whilst going home to your family can be great (especially after a long period of exams and hard work!), it can feel a bit stifling to temporarily lose some of the independence you've developed over the past year or so. Try and spend your last few days of the school year doing things you enjoy, whether that's hanging out with friends, partying through the night or simply eating ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Make Sure You Have a Back-up Plan!
With rail and airport staff strikes ongoing, transport can be a bit unreliable at times. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get from A to B, as well as having a backup plan if one of your transport options falls through - e.g. local/National Express buses instead of trains, or alternate flight paths to your destination.

Hope this has helped - and if you have any of your own tips, please drop them down below! :h: