Size the job honestly
A student room is boxes, a bike, maybe a desk chair — not a house. Don't book (or pay for) a removals crew: a man-and-van sized service with one mover is right for almost every student move, and the price should reflect that.
The halls timetable
Halls run move-out windows and loading-bay rules, and June is their rush hour. Book your slot early, tell your mover the exact window, and know the porters' lodge procedure for keys. September works the same in reverse — arrival slots go fast.
Summer storage beats hauling it home
If home is 200 miles away and you're back in September, storing locally usually beats two long trips: collection at end of term, secure storage over summer, redelivery to the new address. Group with housemates and split the load — it's the cheapest way ever invented.
The graduate move
The final move — degree done, first job city — is usually a part-load dream: flexible dates, a modest load, and routes between university cities that vans run weekly. Flexibility is your discount; use it.