WHAT TO PACK FOR UNI – THE BIG LIST

Going to university is one of the most exciting things you’ll do; it’s your chance to start a whole new chapter of your life and be who you want to be. But it can also be a time of uncertainty – will you make friends? Will you like your course? Will you survive Fresher’s Week without getting the dreaded Fresher’s Flu, and can you survive on toast alone?

Thinking about what to pack for university can be a bit overwhelming but getting the basics right can make a huge difference; this is where this list will become your new best friend. Organisation is key and we’re here to help with our comprehensive guide to everything you’ll need, from reminding you to pack a bottle opener, budgeting tips and advice on how to make friends.

In a rush? Simply download our handy checklist.

PACKING TIPS

1. Start with the basics – Your accommodation is likely to be much smaller than your room at home, so start with the basics. Think about your average day at home, from getting up to going to bed, and think about what you use. When you picture yourself at uni it’s probably a blur of parties and lectures, but what about in between?
2. Plan ahead – It’s a good idea to start planning as early as possible and think about how you’re going to pack your stuff. You could start collecting cardboard boxes, these are ideal as they fold down afterwards and can be kept in the bottom of a wardrobe. Soft bags are better than hard suitcases as they can be easily squashed into a car and vacuum storage bags are also a good idea, especially if you want to take things like big winter jumpers.
3. Try to keep it light – Not just because you’re not going to have much space, but you might also have to carry it all up lots of stairs when you get there. Moving in day is busy and there’ll be queues for the lifts and trolleys.
4. Label your boxes – It’s a good idea to label your boxes/bags as you pack so you know which room they’re for and you can unpack one at a time.

You’ll find our university checklist at the top of the page, but for now let’s have a look at some uni essentials for each room.

FOR THE BEDROOM

Most student bedrooms have a bed with a mattress, a desk, a chair and a wardrobe/cupboard. So, what else might you need?

• Bedding – A mattress protector and mattress topper are a good buy, and a couple of sets of bedding so you have a set to use when the other is being washed.
• Decorations – Settling into uni is much easier when you have some home comforts with you. It doesn’t take much to make the room feel like yours; cushions, maybe a rug, some photos and a string of fairy lights (battery operated) can all make a huge difference. There are often rules about what you can and can’t put on the walls, but there should be a notice board or similar you can use.
• Laundry storage – Unfortunately, the washing fairy won’t be coming with you to uni, so it would be really useful to have a clothes airer and laundry basket, preferably the folding type that can easily be put away when you’re not using them.
• Extras – You might want to take a small lamp that can double as a study lamp/bedside lamp, and a mirror. Noise cancelling headphones are a great idea too as not everyone has the same ideas about bedtime/noise!
• Priorities – Don’t forget to pack Mr Ted the bear. You won’t be the only one to take your childhood teddy to uni with you, even if he does end up being stuffed in the cupboard when your new friends pop in for pre-drinks.

FOR THE BATHROOM

What you take with you will depend on whether you’ve got an en-suite, but chances are you’ll be using a shared bathroom at some point so anything you don’t want to share should be kept in your room.

• Handy bathroom storage – Buy a plastic holder to pop your shampoo/shower gel in so you’re not having to juggle lots of different bottles.
• Stock up on toilet rolls – Things like toilet rolls, soap, cleaning products and bleach can all be bought communally, although it’s always good to keep a couple of spare toilet rolls in your room.
• Make sure you bring a first aid kit – Include things like plasters, painkillers, antiseptic wipes and cold/flu remedies.
• Personal medication and contraception
• One last bathroom essential – Flip flops. Communal bathrooms can be grim!

FOR THE KITCHEN

• Cutlery, plates etc – If you’re in catered accommodation, you won’t need to take as much, but it’s still handy to have some glasses, mugs, a plate, a bowl and some cutlery in your room in case you miss a mealtime and need to eat a ready meal/take away in your room.
• Tea towel
• Bottle opener
• Pans
• Utensils
• Baking trays
• Cheese grater
• Oven gloves
• Bin liners

It might be worth investing in a recipe book, then you can impress your new housemates with your culinary expertise. After all there are only so many times you can eat pasta and pesto.

It’s also a good idea to stock up on some cupboard basics in case you don’t go shopping straight away, things like herbs and spices, tea/coffee, stock cubes, tinned food etc.

CLOTHES TO PACK

Trust us, chances are you’re not going to need those fifteen identical grey hoodies, particularly as storage will be so tight, but here are a few things to remember:

• Clothes for all seasons – It might be warm when you move in, in September, but it’ll soon get colder and, unless you’re planning on another trip home before then, you’ll need warmer clothes.
• Are you sporty? – Don’t forget to take a swimming costume or gym kit. Are you likely to join any special clubs in Fresher’s Week?
• Going out – Do you dress up when you go out? Don’t forget shoes/bags etc.
• Staying in – Don’t forget to take clothes to lounge around in, and a dressing gown and pyjamas. There’s a chance other people are going to see you in these; it’s not uncommon to have a 3am fire alarm in halls, so maybe think twice before taking those Spiderman pjs you’ve had since you were 13!
• All the rest – You’re probably going to need to get a job, are you likely to need smarter clothes for that? Don’t forget hats and gloves, umbrellas and sunglasses, as well as different types of bags for going out/shopping/lectures. A big rucksack can double up for supermarket shopping as well as trips to the launderette.

STATIONERY TO TAKE

Starting uni is a brilliant opportunity to feed that stationery habit, but before you go completely mad, let’s have a look at the things you’re most likely to need:

• Pens/highlighters
• Notebooks
• Post-It notes
• Ring binders
• Scissors/Sellotape
• Paper clips/stapler
• Specialist equipment depending on the course – E.g. a calculator/dictionary.
• Diary/planner

You’ll be given a reading list for your course, but it might be a good idea to wait until you get there to buy the textbooks. Apart from the fact that they’ll be an extra weight when you’re moving in, you might also be able to get them second hand at the start of term and most of them will be available in the library.

DON’T FORGET DOCUMENTS

You’ll need to make sure you have the right documents with you. Try to keep them all together in one folder so you know where they are when you need something.

Your university/course might ask for certain documents, but it would be a good idea to take the following:

• ID – Driving license/passport.
• Course documents – Your acceptance letter, student finance documents.
• Accommodation – Your contract.
• Bank details/National Insurance number
• NHS number
• Student discount cards
• Insurance documents
• Phone numbers – Friends and family, in case you lose your phone, as well as the number to ring if you lose your bank card.
• Passport photos – These will come in useful for ID cards etc.

ELECTRONIC ITEMS TO TAKE

• A charger – You’ll probably always have your phone with you. You’ll need one for your laptop/tablet too (and a case to carry them to and from lectures).
• An extension lead
• Batteries (for all those fairy lights)
• Headphones
• Smart speaker
• Straighteners
• Hair dryer

Don’t buy USB sticks as they’re often handed out in Fresher’s Week.

THINGS YOU DON’T NEED

This is one time where you really need to travel light; not only will your uni accommodation be fairly small, but you’ll also have to transport everything there and then move it back again at the end of your first year.

Find out what’s already provided in your accommodation and get in touch with your prospective flatmates before you move in; you’ll be able to swap details and, chat about who’s bringing what and you’re less likely to end up with five toasters and no kettle.

Here are some things you definitely don’t need:

• A printer – There should be printers available in your uni department/library. These will be much more cost-effective, and you won’t end up being the ‘Person with the Printer’!
• A car – Most uni accommodation is within walking distance of lectures and is quite often city-based. Parking spaces will be limited so this is an expense you can do without.
• All your A-level work – Chances are you’ll never need to look at this again.
• ALL your clothes – Nobody needs ten pairs of trainers.
• Your pet – Even if they sit in your bag while you pack and give you the guilty look.
• An ironing board – You’re going to be doing lots of exciting things while you’re at uni, ironing is not one of them.
• Candles/incense – Anything considered a fire hazard won’t be allowed, this includes heaters, oil burners and plug-in fairy lights, so check before you go.

GETTING YOUR THINGS SAFELY TO UNI

With some clever packing you’ll be able to get everything you need to uni safely. Try to pack smartly; remember that your phone/tablet can double up as a diary/calendar/calculator/TV/Music player/camera and dictionary.

How you pack depends on how you’re getting there and if you’ll have people to help you. If you’re going on public transport, suitcases on wheels will be best, with maybe a large rucksack. If you’re going by car use boxes that can then be folded and stored away until you need them again, along with soft bags that can be squeezed into awkward spaces.

Wrap anything delicate in towels and roll your clothes rather than fold them, they take up less space and won’t get as creased.

Make sure you label your boxes and keep a separate ‘moving in’ box so you don’t have to rummage through everything to find tea bags and biscuits and mugs on moving day.

TIPS FOR MOVING IN

1. Plan it – You’ll be given a time slot for moving in, so check you know where you’re going and where you can park.
2. Once you’re in, make your bed first – This helps to make it feel like yours straight away and you’ll be too tired to do it later.
3. Leave your door open as you unpack – People will turn up at different times and everyone soon gets chatting. You could suggest a group outing to check out the local supermarket and buy some communal items. Familiarise yourself with your surroundings; not just your accommodation – fire escapes etc – but the local shops, where your lectures will be and, of course, the student union bar.

KEEPING YOUR VALUABLES SAFE

It’s a good idea to leave anything really valuable, like jewellery, behind when you go to uni. Unfortunately, freshers can be targeted; in a recent survey 4% of students had their accommodation broken into, so it’s important you keep you and your belongings safe. Here are a few more tips:

1. Lock your room – Always make sure your doors and windows have working locks and don’t leave valuables visible from the window. If you’re on the ground floor, shut your curtains when you leave your room.
2. Take photos – Photograph your electronics with their serial numbers and put your details on them with a UV pen.
3. Recycle – Sadly, 20% of break-ins in student accommodation happen within the first 6 weeks of term, so don’t advertise your new laptop! If you buy new equipment, don’t leave the box outside with the rubbish; break it down and put it at the bottom of the recycling bin.

And last of all, it’s worth thinking about student insurance; our insurance is Pick ‘N’ Mix as we know that not all students are the same, so you can get contents insurance specifically tailored for you and your needs without paying for cover you don’t need. Take a look at the website for a free, no-strings quote.

Remember, there will be shops where you’re going so anything you forget, or can’t fit in the car, you can buy when you get there.

The main thing to do when you start uni is enjoy yourself. However you’re feeling, other people will be feeling the same and it’s totally normal to feel anxious, but there are plenty of people around to ask if you’re not sure about anything.

Don’t forget to download our handy checklist so you can tick things off as you go.

And remember, you owe it to Mr Ted to have the best time.

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