1 in 4 students stressed about moving their stuff as pressures pile up

Packing, storing and travelling with belongings is one of the biggest stress triggers for university students when moving, new research reveals.

A survey commissioned by Lovespace of 348 students found that a quarter (24.07%) felt overwhelmed by the logistics of dealing with their belongings — whether that’s cramming boxes into trains, finding a place to store them, or simply packing everything up during a hectic exam period.

Specifically:

• 13.22% said packing up all their stuff was a top concern
• 6.03% said finding somewhere to store it all caused stress
• 6.32% were worried about the journey home with everything

While 21.26% said managing coursework and exams was their biggest source of stress, and 20.98% cited anxiety over waiting for results, practical pressures also featured heavily. 13.22% said packing up their stuff caused stress, 6.03% struggled to find somewhere to store everything, and 6.32% were stressed about the journey home.

The data also highlighted other common end-of-year concerns:

• 8.62% were anxious about cleaning their flat to avoid losing their deposit
• 6.9% found saying goodbye to friends difficult
• 11.21% felt unsure about what next term would look like
• 5.46% were worried about readjusting to life with family over summer

Commenting on the findings, Will Edwards, CEO of student storage company Lovespace, said:

“These results echo what we hear from students every year. When you’re trying to focus on exams, but also have to pack up your life and move out with no car or storage, it can feel overwhelming. It’s the kind of low-level stress that often gets overlooked but adds up fast.”

The post-pandemic landscape is also shaping student behaviour. According to Edwards, students are more cost-conscious and cautious about long-term commitments than before. Many now share storage with flatmates to save money and look for rolling contracts rather than fixed terms. Fewer own cars, meaning services that collect directly from campus or halls are in high demand.

While support often focuses on academic wellbeing, the findings highlight how practical challenges can have a real impact on mental health and overall student experience. With more than 10,000 students moving out and into new accommodation each summer, simple solutions that reduce friction, such as better storage options, or on-site collections could make a big difference.

The full results come ahead of the next academic cycle, as universities begin planning for the return of students in September.

Each year over 10,000 students turn to Lovespace. On average, they store five boxes for around four months, usually over the summer. But the service is just as useful for students going on placement, study abroad, or those taking a gap year.

There’s a clear seasonal trend. Demand starts building in May and peaks in June as students move out of university halls. Then August and September see another surge as items are returned in time for the new academic year. The service is particularly popular with international students who often need a reliable solution while returning home for the summer.

And while most students store everyday items like books, pots and pans, duvets and winter coats, there are some surprises too. Film props, musical instruments, and enormous teddy bears have all made their way through Lovespace’s system.

To find out more or book a collection, visit www.lovespace.co.uk