2 min read

Student moving checklist and timeline

A practical week-by-week student moving checklist to help you pack, plan, and move between semesters without the stress.
By · November 6, 2025
Student moving checklist and timeline

Planning your move can be difficult, especially when you’re juggling coursework, deadlines, and exams. This student moving checklist and timeline will help you stay organised and fully prepared for moving day.

3 months before

  • Secure your next accommodation.
  • Finalise your moving day and note any gap between leases.
  • Start decluttering to minimise your packing volume, time and money. 

Want to make packing easier and start fresh in your new space? Check out our decluttering guide packed with expert tips, viral Cleantok trends, and motivation to keep you going.

2 months before

1 month before

  • It's time to pack, starting with items you don’t use. You can even save time and hire a professional packing service to handle it for you.

2 weeks before

  • Arrange a professional clean before moving out. Confirm if your new place will be cleaned (by the previous tenants) before moving in.
  • Confirm the move-out time with your current landlord and your move-in time with your next landlord.

1 week before

  • Pack your final items, and put together a bag of essentials to keep with you on moving day.
  • Check in with your moving service to finalise the details.

Moving day

  • Walk through your current student accommodation with your landlord to note any damages (and hopefully secure your full deposit back).
  • Meet your movers and move!
  • Walk through your new student accommodation to note any pre-existing damages. Assess if you’ll need to book a cleaning service before unpacking.

After moving day

  • Start unpacking (or hire professionals to do it for you).
  • Set up your WiFi if needed.
  • Change your address with your university, bank, insurance, etc.

Moving as a student can feel overwhelming, but with a solid checklist, you’ll have everything under control from start to finish. Start early, stay organised, and lean on reliable student movers if you need help with the heavy lifting. Once the boxes are unpacked, you can focus on what really matters: settling into your new home and the year ahead.

Read our student moving guide for more tips on finding your accommodation, packing, budgeting and more, and start your new student life chapter with confidence.

What do our customers say?

Read reviews of Wise Move to learn stories from our customers.
R 3,200
Broadacres AH, Sandton
Dainfern Valley, fourways
9.5
Tejiri
Reviewed 7 minutes ago
Diamond Movers were professional, and the 4 gentlemen who facilitated my move were extremely helpful. They handled my belongings with care and respect, and they went over and above to ensure that I got the assistance I needed. Highly recommend them.
R 20,000
Brackendowns, Alberton
Qonce
9.5
Nolundi
Reviewed 4 hours ago
We are very happy with how they handled the whole move. They listened to our needs, adjusted the price to fit our budget, and even came a day early to assess the furniture and plan. Despite the long trip from Johannesburg to King William’s Town, they remained professional, kind, and upbeat throughout. Highly recommended!
R 2,500
2double size bed
Lamontville, Chatsworth
Pelham, Pietermaritzburg
9.5
Minenhle
Reviewed 5 hours ago
Thank you guys for everything
R 2,250
Motorcycle Ktm 390 Adventure
Knysna
Glen Austin AH, Midrand
10
Sonja
Reviewed 6 hours ago
Bakgat Diens en Mense!!!
R 2,150
Cape Town
Cape Town
10
Zilla
Reviewed 6 hours ago
They made a difficult day much easier, with great attitudes and efficient service. Thank you Swift Wigo Movers! 20/10 would hire again