18 August 2015
| Last updated on 18 August 2015
Your Guide on What to Take to University
Whether you're a parent helping your child pack for their new university adventure, or you're a student yourself seeking some guidance on what to pack... This list might just help you out!
It's important to remember that before heading out and getting too carried away with buying brand new, shiny and sparkling items, your university or accommodation may provide some of these items listed. So make sure you double check before you head out shopping!
If yourself or your child are moving into shared accommodation with their potential new friends and peers, you'll find they can team up with others to purchase items such as kettles, toasters, pots and pans. Plus, we can guarantee when you arrive in the university's location, there will be nearby stores selling exactly the items you're looking for... At student prices, too!
- Passport photos
- Passport and/or driving licence
- TV licence if applicable
- Printed copies of CV and references - just incase!
- Discount travel cards (like train, bus...)
- Bank account details
- Local map if unfamiliar with the area
- What's on guide
- Old textbooks and notes if potentially useful
- Personal diary or planner?
- Doctor and dentist details
- Other university documents
- Exam certificates
- Room/personal items insurance
We recommend taking both a passport as any new student opening their student bank account will more than likely need to have it to successfully open it. Plus, a driving licence is a great thing to carry as a student; it's ID that isn't as expensive as a passport to replace if lost on a night out. It doesn't matter if it's a provisional or full.
Kitchen
A lot of items on this list will depend on whether you're self-catering or living in shared accommodation. Plus, utensils and kitchen tools could vary depending on your cooking skill level.
- Corkscrew
- Bottle opener
- Mugs
- Glasses
- Wine glasses
- Shot glasses
- Kettle
- Knives, forks and spoons
- Plates
- Bowls
- Casserole dish
- Frying pan
- 1 small and 1 large saucepan with lids
- Egg cup
- Tin opener
- Scissors
- Chopping knife
- Chopping board
- Vegetable peeler (if you can't manage peeling with a knife!)
- Cheese grater
- Breadknife
- Wooden spoon
- Spatula
- Potato masher
- Plastic bowl or box with lid
- Microwaveable bowl
- Cling film
- Tin foil
- Sieve
- Tea towels
- Oven glove
- Washing up items: dishcloth, scrubbing brush?
- Tray: this will be very useful when carrying to your bedroom!
- Chopsticks (if applicable)
But that's not all! There's plenty of other kitchen items that would come in handy, and it's good to have a supply of them.
- Recipe book
- Cupboard ingrediants: coffee, milk, sugar, eggs, butter, cooking oil, salt and pepper, and pasta!
- Coffee whitener: great if you run out of milk!
- Sandwich bags
- Washing up liquid
SEE ALSO: Your guide to being the most heavenly housemate!
Housekeeping
- Febreeze: prevents smelly clothes/fabric
- Laundry bag/basket
- Clothes horse is a must!
- Coat hangers
- Dustpan and brush: may already be provided by accommodation
- Kitchen towel/tea towels
- Cleaning products
- Washing powder/liquid/tablets for laundry
- Door wedge: invites conversation and social interactions!
Studying
Because every great mind needs somewhere comfortable, cosy and relaxing to get their thoughts ticking!
- Desk lamp
- Notice board (if accommodation doesn't supply)
- White board? Would come in handy when revising!
- A study diary or planner is a must
- Dictionary and thesaurs (if needed, but a lot of computers have these tools now)
- Lined paper pad
- Printing paper
- A4 folders
- Pens, pencils, highlights
- Scissors
- Sticky tape
- Stapler and hole puncher
- Sticky labels (if you're extremely organised!)
- Post-it notes, so useful
- Paper clips
- White tac: not blue tac, it doesn't stain your walls
- Stamps and envelopes
- Sports and gym gear if you're a fitness lover
- A bike? Great to get around the place quickly
- Raincoat
- Umbrella
- Multivitamins
- Painkillers
- Contraception if required
- Basic first aid kit: plasters, antiseptic wipes, bandages
- Paracetamol
- Cold/flu remedies just incase
- Pro-Plus
- Anti-allergy pills
- A cold/hot pack
- Hot water bottle
In addition to these items, you might find safety pins, a small sewing kit, matches and a small toolkit pretty handy too!
- Bath mat: there's nothing worse than cold floor when getting out the shower or bath!
- Bath and hand towels, also a flannel if you use one
- Basket for shower supplies
- Wash bag for travelling to/from university
- Toilet roll
- Tissues
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap
- Shower gel
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Nail clippers
- Deoderant/anti-perspirant
- After shave or perfume
- Hair gel or spray if required
- Hairbrush
- Comb
- Shaving razor and cream/gel
- Lip balm (also handy in your bag!)
- Alarm clock, if you don't use your phone
- Computer and/or laptop: if you choose laptop, get yourself a mouse! So much easier to use when working on long assignments
- External hardrive: good to back up your work from time to time
- USB stick
- Printer: the queue at university might get horribly long
- Network cable: most accommodations will provide this
- Mini fridge: if you really want!
- Bedside lamp
- Don't forget your phone charger!
- CD player or speakers
- TV: but remember your license!
- Camera
- Headphones: for when you're in the library and "concentrating"
- Batteries: yes! Always have spare batteries in life!
- Multi-plug adaptor/extension lead
- Dressing gown... If you wear one
- Slippers
- Tops
- Jumpers
- Trousers
- Underwear
- Socks
- Shoes/trainers
- Flip flops: great if you're sharing communal wash rooms!
- Swimwear
- Evening wear
SEE ALSO: You're in your final year of university, what's next?
Leisure
Depending on how much time you have to spare between all the student fun, assignments, revision and learning to cook, you might find the time to spare to play some games with your flat mates or new university friends. A pack of cards will generally do the trick, or a ball or frisby. Monopoly could be a good idea too!
Style
Your student flat will always feel a little bit more like home with the addition of the following items:
- Posters
- Photos of family and friends
- Wall hangings: but check how many holes you're allowed to put in the wall!
- Rugs
- Fairylights/disco balls/lava lamps: but check your accommodation's policies on having these items. Candles are generally a no, no as a student!
- Cushions
- A throw
- Plants
- Stuffed toys or your beloved teddy bear!
- Blankets
- Sheets
- Duvet and duvet cover
- Pillow and pillow cases
- Mattress cover
- Inflatable mattress and pump: not necessary, but good for when you have visitors.
- Sleeping bag (see above point)
- Large suitcase for when you're travelling to/from home
- Spare lightbulbs, just incase!
- Torch for power cuts and looking under desks/chairs/beds
- Earplugs... Self explanatory
