At Student Digs, we know that moving into a student house is one of the biggest milestones of starting university. Between saying goodbye to family, unpacking boxes and meeting new housemates, that first week can feel like a lot all at once.
The good news is that a few simple steps in your first few days can make settling in much easier, and set you up for a smooth year ahead. Whether you’re still finalising your university packing list or you’ve just moved into your student accommodation with your bags at the front door, this guide covers everything you should do in your first week in a new student house.
Before You Arrive: Your University Packing List
A good university packing list makes moving day far less stressful. Before you start thinking about socials and settling in, it’s worth checking you’ve actually brought everything you need.
Here’s a list of things to bring to uni that students often forget:
Kitchen essentials: Pots, pans, a decent set of cutlery and a few basic utensils. Most student houses come part-furnished, but check with your provider what’s included before you duplicate anything.
Bedding and towels: Bring a duvet, pillows, bedding for your mattress size and at least two towels. It’s easy to forget these when you’re focused on packing clothes.
Cleaning supplies: A few basics like washing-up liquid, a sponge, an all-purpose cleaner and bin bags will save you an awkward first-night trip to the shop.
Tech and chargers: Laptop, phone charger, extension leads and an adapter if you’re travelling from overseas. Extension leads in particular are always in short supply in a shared house.
Important documents: Your ID, enrolment confirmation, tenancy agreement and any paperwork your university or landlord has sent you.
Personal items: Toiletries, medication, and any comfort items from home that’ll make your new room feel like yours.
If you’re short on space, remember you can always pick up bulkier items like a kettle or toaster once you’ve moved in rather than trying to fit everything to bring to uni into the car in one go. If you’re still deciding on a place to live, take a look at our student flats and student rooms to see what’s included as standard.
Moving Into University: What to Do on Day One
Moving into university accommodation for the first time is exciting, but it helps to have a plan for your first day rather than trying to do everything at once.
Unpack the essentials first
Get your bed made and your bathroom bag unpacked before anything else. After a long journey, having somewhere comfortable to sleep makes a big difference.
Introduce yourself to housemates
Even a quick hello in the kitchen goes a long way towards settling in. You’ll be living together for the year, so breaking the ice early helps.
Locate the essentials
Find out where the fuse box, stopcock and bin collection point are, and check how to report any maintenance issues with your provider. At Student Digs, you can report anything through our maintenance page or get in touch straight away if it’s urgent via our emergencies page.
Settling Into a Student House: The First Few Days
Once the boxes are unpacked, moving into a student house is really about getting into a routine and starting to feel at home.
Get to Know Your Housemates
Living with new people is one of the biggest adjustments of student life. A simple way to break the ice is to suggest a house dinner or a trip to the local shops together in your first few days. It doesn’t need to be anything elaborate, just an easy way to start building a house dynamic before term properly kicks off.
Set Some Ground Rules Early
It’s worth having a relaxed conversation about cleaning, shared costs and quiet hours before any issues come up. Agreeing on a cleaning rota or how you’ll split household bills early on can prevent a lot of awkward conversations later in the year.
Explore Your Local Area
Take some time in your first week to find your nearest supermarket, GP surgery, pharmacy and public transport links. Knowing your way around, even just the basics, will make everyday life much easier once lectures start.
Register with a Doctor
It’s easy to put this off, but registering with a local GP in your first week means you’re covered if you need an appointment during term time. Most university areas have surgeries used to registering new students, so it’s usually a quick process.
Sort Out Your Bills and Admin
If your accommodation isn’t bills-inclusive, get your utilities, internet and TV licence sorted early rather than leaving it until you need them. Bills-inclusive student accommodation can take some of this admin off your plate if you’d rather not manage separate accounts with several providers. At Student Digs, bills and inclusions can vary by property, so be sure to check the individual listing for details of what’s included.
If you’re a parent helping a student move in for the first time, our information for parents page covers what to expect from contracts, deposits and the moving-in process.
Make Your Room Feel Like Home
Your bedroom will be your main space for the year, so it’s worth spending some time making it feel comfortable. A few photos, fairy lights, a cosy throw or plants can go a long way towards making a new room feel less unfamiliar. Just check your tenancy agreement first, as some providers have guidelines around what can and can’t go on the walls.
Get Involved Early
University life isn’t just about your course. Freshers’ week and the weeks that follow are a great opportunity to join societies, sports clubs or attend events happening around your campus. Getting involved early is one of the easiest ways to meet people outside your house and start building a wider social circle.
Settling In Takes Time
It’s completely normal if your student house doesn’t feel like home straight away. Between new housemates, a new city and a new routine, it can take a few weeks to properly settle in, and that’s okay.
Focusing on the practical things first, unpacking, registering with a GP, getting to know your housemates and finding your way around, will help the rest fall into place naturally.
At Student Digs, we’re here to help make that first week as smooth as possible. Whether you’re still looking for the right place to live or have already moved in, our team can support you through every step of student life.
If you’re still looking for the right accommodation for your first year, browse our student houses, student flats and student studios or view all our available properties. If you have any questions about moving in, deposits or your tenancy, take a look at our FAQs or get in touch with the Student Digs team directly. We’re always happy to help.
