
Even though your Instagram feed is full of your friends saying how exciting it is to go uni-shopping, that naive excitement only lasts about an hour and then it’s a bit of a pain. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of things that are often overlooked that you should take to Uni!
Bedroom bits…
- Decorations to make you feel more at home…Things that hang on door handles, photo frames, candles, fairy lights etc.
- Stationery…pens, pencils, rubbers(for the amount of mistakes you’re going to make in first year) , notepads, calendar/diary (to organise nights out).
- TV (for you unsociable lot out there).
- Clothes (Variety of casual, fancy dress, night out outfits and everyday uni scruffs).
- Bags (including the essential clutch/bumbag for nights out!)
- Condoms (if you’re feeling lucky).
- Paracetamols (a Fresher’s must).
- Sunglasses (an essential to cover up those massive bags under the eyes).
- Laptop and charger.
- Phone and charger.
- Wireless speaker (this will make you the most liked person in your Uni halls).
- Headphones (to motivate you for your 9am walks to Uni).
- Clothes horse (or another variation of the word depending on where you are from!).
- Duvet, duvet cover, sheets, mattress cover, pillows and cases and cushions (for extra comfort).
- A cute rug to spruce up your room a bit.
- Door-stops (good for being sociable!).
- Febreze…need I say more.
- An extension lead…You want to be sure you can use all your electricals at once. There might not be that many plugs in your room, so don’t leave yourself short.
- A phone case…good for keeping your student ID and money together so you only have one item to keep an eye on. Also really sturdy if you drop your phone, which will happen.
- Face mask…You will seriously upset your skin with your new uni habits. Go all out with a pamper session. You could also treat yourself with cucumber on your eyes too.
- Hair straighteners/hair dryer.
Bathroom bits…
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Shower gel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste (Something many forget)
- Bleach
- Toilet brush
- Towels
- Toilet rolls
- Any personal medications and prescriptions
- Multivitamins
Kitchen knick knacks
- A bottle opener or corkscrew (having one of these will make you friends for life).
- Egg cups…they double up as shot glasses.
- Tea bags and coffee (MUSTS).
- A toastie maker will win you friends. It is a scientific fact that ham and melted cheese cures all illnesses.
- Cheesy pasta is a student staple meal, so your colander and cheese grater will be your best friends.
- Everyone will have their favourite mug – a comforting reminder of home.
- Pots and pans (These will disappear into thin air within the first term so make sure you’re within walking distance of a Wilko’s so you can replace these).
- Straws…Let’s face it, uni quite frequently centres on getting drunk and drinking through a straw makes you drunker, quicker. And it also doesn’t ruin your face paint.
- Chunder bucket.
- Ice trays…Or three. Remember, the good flat parties offer ice.
- A wok…Stir-frys are a great staple to get you through the first few weeks of uni life when you are still finding your feet and a routine.
- Chopping board.
- Tea towels (Buy at least 2 packs of 4 as these will definitely disappear in Freshers Week).
- Baking trays…for those frozen food teas.
- Dishcloths…for wiping up those alcoholic spillages.
And here’s a list of things you DON’T need.
- An iron…you’ll never use it.
- USB sticks. You’ll get loads of free ones at Fresher’s events.
- All your old school work, books and files. You will not look at them once.
- Your old school hoodie…you might think it was cool in the sixth form days but nobody will want to know you if you wear it on the daily at uni.
- A printer…having your own printer in your room can seem the height of convenience, but when your friends discover that you have one, they will get more use of it than you. The uni’s own printers will be just as handy and more cost effective too; as you don’t have to fork out for new ink cartridges.