So, you’ve got your results and you’re in. You may be
worrying about your halls, making friends, missing lectures and surviving on
your own but one of the first steps for surviving university is packing the
right things.
Luckily for me I have a very organized mum, the kind of one where if you ask
her for a pair of scissors or a screw driver she’d probably have a variety you
could chose from in her handbag. This meant I was very prepared and honestly,
being the only person with stamps or an airer made me invaluable to my friends!
Nevertheless, taking the right things to
uni is very important for helping you to settle in and manage your life.
I’ve compiled a basic packing list of all the things that I think are important
or useful to take, of course you can think of your own things you may want to
add to this such as items for your hobbies or grooming routine (not everyone
needs nose hair trimmers).
This list is geared more towards girls a) because I am one b) a male list would
probably be much the same but with items removed and c) honestly how many boys
do you think are actually that prepared and would have googled this kind of
thing?
Clothes- Tops
Trousers
Shorts
Skirts
Dresses- casual, for clubbing and formal for balls
Jumpers
Cardigans
Hoodies
Pyjamas (take long bottoms that you can wear down to breakfast in halls)
Dressing gown
Sports wear
Swimming Costume
Coats
Belts
Hat/scarf/gloves
Bras
Socks
Pants- take enough to last you at least a month, trust me, you won’t wash stuff
that often!
Tights
Leggings
Shoes- sport, casual, smart, wellies, slippers.
Bedding- take two sets so you can change them as soon as you take one set off
to wash. I had a friend who had to sleep in a sleeping bag when his sheets were
wet! (check what size bed you’ve got)
A blanket
Duvet
Cuddly toy
Towels- hand, head and bath.
Jewellery
Straighteners
Hairdryer
Brush/comb
Hair products/ ties
Toiletries- toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos, shower gels, face washes,
medication, sun cream, tampons, contact lenses etc.
Bags- going out/ work bag/ hand bag
A weekend bag for going home.
Items for hobbies e.g guitar or squash racquet.
Laptop
Laptop bag – invaluable for the library.
Plug adapter – if your uni has too few plugs in the library, take one so you
can be guaranteed a place to charge!
Phone and charger
Camera and charger (you will take more photos at uni than you will for the rest
of your life. I have more pictures of me and a uni friend than of me and my
boyfriend who I’ve known for three more years!)
Extension plug sets- you will need at least two!
Printer – helps you make friends and you can guarantee your essay will get
printed.
Printer cartridges
Printer paper
Memory stick
Ipod and charger
Desk lamps
Alarm clock – and set the alarm!
Umbrella
Books
Book ends
A door stop
DVDs
Posters/ bunting/ anything to make your room your own
Hot water bottle
Cheque book
Passport photos
Airers
Stationary- pens, pads, stapler and staples, paper clips, stamps, envelopes,
folders, folder dividers, sticky labels, plastic wallets, white tac, drawing
pins, sellotape, scissors.
Generic birthday cards.
A diary – put family birthdays and addresses in it before you go!
A folder with all important uni finance documents/ course details etc.
Coat hangers
Washing basket
A bin
Sleeping bag- if you have friends to stay.
Storage boxes – under bed ones are always good!
Over door hooks- good for coats, or when your wardrobe is too small!
Kettle
Sewing kit- I can't sew but I could lend it to others!
Sewing kit- I can't sew but I could lend it to others!
Iron
A duster
Polish
Tumble dryer sheets
Washing powder
Softener
Colour catchers
Ironing board – you can get mini ones
A first aid kit- plasters, paracetamol, savlon, sudacrem, gauze, lem sips (you
will get a cold in your first few weeks).
Even if you’re catered you may still want to take a kettle, tea bags/ coffee,
milk and a fully stocked biscuit tin. This will help you bond with neighbours.
Also a mug, plate, cutlery, bowl and snacks such as noodles, soup, FRUIT etc.
If you’re non catered:
Crockery
Cutlery
Mugs
Glasses
Wine glasses
Frying pan
Large non-stick pan
Pans
Cheese grater
Bottle opener
Chopping board
Sieve
Cookery books
Food to start off with e.g milk, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal etc.
Knives
Strainer
Baking trays
Pyrex dishes
Wooden spoons/ spatulas etc.
Apron
Tea towels
Oven gloves
Washing up liquid
Sponges/ cloths
If you take a TV make sure you have a licence
Those who enjoy gaming may want to take a games console too, this again is great for bonding with
neighbours!
If you can think of anything you think would be useful and I haven’t put
down, please do comment!
You may still turn up at your room and find out that you need to buy things. I
had to buy a bed side table when I arrived as I had nowhere to keep my
underwear, or put my lamp! You may turn up though and find you have some items provided such as a bin or lamp, just send your duplicates home with your parents, that's what they're there for.
