10 Tips for Moving

Moving-out will certainly be something you’ll have to face at some point in your academic experience and it’s a big task, so tips on how to make it easier will surely be welcome. Finding that new student accommodation would surely come first though, and this is where Unihousing comes in. Selly Oak-based registered lettings agents offering student studios and houses with all the furnishings needed for contemporary student living, Unihousing provide high-standard student accommodation in Birmingham for affordable prices in excellent locations.    

• Planning Ahead

To make the whole process of moving go smoother, putting together a little plan should help you. By creating a plan or even by writing down some useful notes you can list all the things you need to pack and all the other jobs you need to do before you finally say goodbye to your old place. Planning ahead may help you move your items from one place to the other in the most efficient way, as well.

• Advanced Packing

Just because the date you need to move-out on is a while away doesn’t mean you can’t start packing stuff into boxes early. If you start packing well-ahead of the date you are due to move, you may find that the whole process will be less stressful and tiring as the moving day approaches.

• Boxes and Bags

When it comes to moving, having a large number of boxes ready is a great idea. It’s very easy to underestimate how many boxes you will need for all of your belongings once you begin packing, so “the more, the better” is a good way to approach this aspect of the move. There’s also a risk that at least one of the boxes will rip or break, so having some spares is useful, too. Bags- whether that’s plastic carrier bags or rucksacks etc- are another huge boost to anybody’s chances of having a successful move.    

• Tape and Paper

Having lots of paper to hand is very important, as it can be used to protect your belongings while they are being transported from one place to another. Or, for better protection, you could use bubble-wrap. Something else that will be very much appreciated as you pack your possessions is a tape dispenser gun, which is a vast improvement on using masking tape or Sellotape in a conventional way. 

                 

• A Little Assistance

Having extra pairs of hands ready to assist you will get all of your carryings, transporting and final pieces of packing done more quickly and with less stress. And if you don’t drive, having someone who is willing to give up their time to drive your stuff to your new student accommodation would obviously be a huge benefit.       

• Be At Your Best

Getting all of your belongings out of your current studio or house and into another one will take a while, meaning that a good sleep the night before is ideal for making sure you have plenty of energy for the following day. By getting up early as well, you give yourself plenty of time to get things done and increase your chances of completing all of the liftings and carrying before it gets dark, which would only make things more difficult. 

   

• Timing is Everything

If you haven’t quite got round to making a plan or a list, or simply don’t think you really need one, at least remember the times at which things need to be done at throughout the day. Times at which you are required to be out of your current place and into the new one, or times at which you are supposed to meet people necessary to the move, are important. Having these times in mind could help you stay on schedule during the day as well.

• Stay Fed and Watered

Ensuring that you take breaks or at least one substantial break during your moving day is vital, even though it can be difficult to stop sometimes once you have started and are building momentum towards getting the whole thing done. Without breaks, you will become increasingly tired and less productive as a consequence. It’s also wise to drink plenty throughout the day and have a little snack every now and then to keep energy levels up.

• Background Music

Although it can be a long day and there may be a lot of people busying around you to make your move happen, you can still try and keep people in high spirits. Put some music on and make the day a little more relaxing, and it should feel as though it’s passing by a little quicker also.   

• Safe Lifting

Perhaps the most crucial point of all here, being careful with lifting is essential; not only is being careful with heavy lifting good for your health, but not lifting correctly could get you hurt which would mean you probably not lifting anymore for that day.
Sharing the load with someone who’s there to help, crouching down instead of bending to the load and assessing the route you are taking to carry the load are some of the general principles for lifting, but it’s best to look online for a comprehensive guide to correct lifting and carrying.   

Unihousing

Making a move with Unihousing is a good move. Unihousing’s student properties are an impressive option for any Birmingham student. Whether you decide on a student studio or a house to share, their student accommodation is also superbly situated. This means that easy access to amenities such as shops and supermarkets as well as getting to pubs, nightlife and other places of interest in Birmingham will be quick and convenient.

So why not get in touch with Unihousing today to find out more!

Effectively Using Your Time at the University of Birmingham

Keeping busy while you’re at university is often not that much of a difficult task. In fact, if you ask most students at the University of Birmingham they will tell you that they could do with a lot more time to get everything done. However, this is not to say that there aren’t students out there who may have some spare time during the week and don’t know what to do with it. If this is you, or you’d like some other ideas of what to do with your time, read on to get some great ideas on what you can do with your time when you’ve not got your head in a book.

Sports

Sports are not for everyone but investing a small amount of time in new and interesting sports could help you to find some sports that you actually quite enjoy, whether that is in an individual sport such as tennis or fencing, or in a team game like football or basketball. However, you don’t have to just think of competitive sports, as there are many other options. Joining a local running or athletics group offers you the chance to exercise without applying the added pressure of a competitive game. Other options include rock climbing, such as bouldering or lead climbing.

Finding clubs and teams that you can join also couldn’t be easier. All students at the University of Birmingham have access to the student union, from here students can get involved in a variety of local sports groups. Alternatively, students can also find great connections in the local gyms and leisure centres that could help you to find an activity which is right for you. Whatever it is that takes your fancy, finding a sport or exercise that you enjoy is good for both your physical and mental health.

Music

Whether you are someone that likes to put on a pair of headphones and bob along to the music, or if you love to be right in the middle of a mosh-pit at a gig with your favourite band or singer. No matter what, all of us can find a way to listen to music that excites us. If you’re someone who loves their music then Birmingham is the place for you. The city is littered with music venues, raves, clubs, orchestras, choirs and many others. You name it, Birmingham has it.

However, you’re not just limited to listening to music. Learning to play an instrument is also a possibility. The University of Birmingham can help to set you up with something like this. Not only is this an opportunity to fill your time constructively, but also offers you the opportunity to learn a new skill.

Games

Being out in large crowds and in very social areas is not for everyone, sometimes a much smaller crowd is all that is required to fill hours and hours of fun. Gaming is a great way to use your spare time and still accomplish small achievements. This can be in the form of a video or board game. Gaming can be great for meeting new people and socialising. The University of Birmingham offers several societies for board gaming, wargaming, and video gaming. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in, meet new people, and have a fun time.

Books/Films

For those who enjoy relaxing and enjoying spare time on their own then maybe this is one for you. Books and films offer an escape from the real world and allow you to enter a world of wonder without needing to leave the house. Investing in Netflix or Amazon Prime can get you access to thousands of hours of films and tv series which could help to take up your time. Alternatively, the student library also offers a great place to pick up reading material to suit all.

If you’d like to meet people who share a similar interest, or who can give you recommendations for books or films, you can join one of the many societies that UoB has to offer. Finding people who share your interests whilst at university can really help your student experience flourish.

Student Societies

We’ve already mentioned student societies, but it definitely deserves its own section. Your university experience will be mostly defined by the people you surround yourself with, and one of the best ways to find people who share your interests is by finding a student society. You don’t have to stop at just one though, filling your evenings with different social activities is a great way to meet new people, try new experiences and have a fun time. Societies range from sports and exercise, to books, films and animation, to board and video gaming. There are also several societies that offer uncommon experiences, such as batsoc, the society for battle re-enactment (if you see people around campus in chainmail, you can guess which society they belong to!).

Most societies often go out for drinks some evenings as well, so you can also get involved in the classic student experience, alongside something new.

Volunteering

Volunteering isn’t for everyone, but can be a great experience. For something such as volunteering it is often a good method to offer your services directly to the place you would like to volunteer. This doesn’t however mean that the University will not assist in helping you find a volunteering placement. This means that not only can you fill your time, but you are helping to make the lives of others better. Something that will help you to stand out as an individual at the University of Birmingham, and when you find work in the future.

Unihousing Student Studios

Are you prepared for next year at the University of Birmingham? Finding student accommodation early means you can spend more of your time enjoying yourself, worry free. Unihousing still have accommodation which is available to students at the University of Birmingham. Our student studios could be just what you are looking for, offering a fully furnished kitchen, study, bedroom and personal bathroom. They’re going fast, so make sure you book yourself a viewing soon, so you don’t miss out.

Interested in student housing? Why not get in contact with Unihousing today and find the student property that’s ideal for you.