Bedroom items

Bedding
CHECK what is provided by the uni before you go out and buy stuff!
Sheets
Duvet/quilt x1
Duvet/quilt covers x2 sets
Pillows x2
Pillow cases x4
Warm blanket/fleece throw
Underblanket/mattress protector
Other Bedroom items
Photos
Alarm Clock
Posters ( though these can often be obtained during the Fresher's Fair )
Door wedge ( If you keep your bedroom door open you'll make friends with your new
housemates much more quickly! )
Hot water bottle
Desk Lamp (If Halls dont provide one)
Clothes wash basket/bin/bag
Small rubbish bin (if Halls dont provide one)
Coffee mug
Laundry items
Washing powder/Fabric softener (buy when you get there)
Laundry bag
Small drying rack (University may provide)
Clothing
Normal, casual clothing - jeans, t-shirts ( both long and short sleeve for layering / mix and
match ) cardigans/lightweight jackets
Fleece type jumpers or cotton sweatshirts - much, much easier to wash & dry than knitted
ones.
Underwear and socks ( plenty of these!)
Comfortable waterproof shoes
'Going Out' clothes for pubs/clubs/parties
Hat/scarf/gloves - many students pack for Uni in September, while it is still relatively warm,
and forget that it will be cold by the end of their first term!
Winter coat (warm, waterproof type)
Pyjamas/nightshirt/dressing gown and slippers ( for when the fire alarm goes of at 3am- you
do not want to be scrabbling for clothes in that situation!
Smart shoes/heels
Clothing suitable for interviews for part-time jobs
Other
Swimwear/towel
Gym & sports clothes
Trainers
Warm Joggers (useful even if you aren't sporty)
Bag etc
Everyday student bag - backpack, messenger bag etc.
Make sure its waterproof, with easy catches/fastenings, strong/durable AND that its big enough
and strong enough to hold several large textbooks, folders, notepad, water bottle etc etc, AND has
comfortable shoulder straps.
Don't get something cheap/fashionable but so flimsy that will fall apart by the first weekend.
If in doubt, get a basic backpack and then replace it once you've got to Uni and worked out what
you really need.
Pencil case
Purse or wallet
Keyring
Watch
Personal items
Prescription glasses
Contact lenses plus cleaning fluid etc
Copy of prescription
Spare pair of glasses
Brace/retainer and accessories
Everyday moisturiser
Skincare wash
Lipbalm
Shower gel, shampoo, soap,
Shaving cream, razors etc
Toothbrush / Toothpaste
Hairbrush, comb etc
Tampons/Sanitary towels
Contraceptives
Make-up and make-up remover
Stationery Items
If you are staying in Halls, the information you receive from your university should tell you what
will be provided in your room. Many rooms will already have a noticeboard, for example, so you
won't need to buy one. Some students recommend taking only the bare minimum in terms of
stationery, and then buying the rest as and when you need it after you've settled in. PS. Shops
like Tescos, Wilkinsons and Poundland are cheaper than Rymans or Paperchase.....
Noticeboard (all Halls rooms will have one already)
Push-pins
Pack of cheap copy paper for printing
A4 file paper / notebooks with tear out sheets
Jotter or reporter pad
Pen drive/memory stick
Pens
Pencils
Highlighters
Permanent all-surface markers
Ruler
Eraser
Sharpener
Tippex
Pencil case
Pen pot (a coffee mug or flower pot will do)
White Tack or Blu Tack
Scissors
Sellotape
Hole puncher
Stapler/staples
Paper clips
Post-it Notes or flag markers
A4 ring binders
Lever-arch folders
Hole-reinforcers
Paper/plastic wallets
Envelopes
Stamps
Calculator (especially if you're doing maths, but even if you're doing English Literature)
Student planner
Calender
Documents
Passport photos Take at least four, and keep some on you. Also scan some on to your
computer to get quick reproductions for less (especially for ID that doesn't really matter)
Passport
Driving licence (useful ID)
National Insurance number
NHS medical card
Details of your health insurance (overseas students)
Details of your vaccination history (make sure you have up-to-date vaccinations, especially for
meningitis and measles, BEFORE you arrive and that you get a flu shot in the Autumn term)
Insurance documents
Confirmation letters of scholarship/bursary etc if appropriate
Any information from your LEA, the SLC (Student Loans Company) or Student Finance Direct
Your unconditional offer from the university
Any documents regarding your accommodation
Cheque book
Bank debit card
Paying-in book
Bank or building society details
Travel discount cards (16-25 Railcard etc) Great for cheap travel home
CV and references
CRB check - applicant's copy (if required by your course)
Relevant exam certificates or results slips
Oyster card (if in London) Student Oyster cards are also available)
Electrical Items/PC etc
CHECK what you are allowed to bring to halls - some unis have very strict rules about electrical
equipment.
LAPTOP Whilst all Unis will have 'public' PCs in Depts and Libraries etc, most students find a
Laptop useful for personal use. Get one that is light enough to carry around campus with you.
Extension leads Get surge protected ones to protect valuable equipment
Socket converter (if you are an international student)
Computer/laptop
Laptop case/bag
Chargers
Mouse/mat
Ethernet cable
Small b&w printer (you will have access to Library printers etc, but a small one in your room is
always handy)
USB memory sticks
Packet of copy paper
Ink (colour & black for inkjet, toner for laser)
Mobile phone
Charger
Headphones
Digital camera
Batteries (rechargeable?)
Small CD player
CDs & wallet/case
MP3 player/iPod
USB lead (charger)
Docking station
Alarm clock
Iron & Ironing board (only if you arent in Halls)
First aid items
Prescription medication (and copy of your prescription)
Condoms you can collect a stack at freshers and get a C-Card allowing you free condoms
Painkillers
Antiseptic cream
Cold/flu remedy
Throat lozenges
Nail Scissors
Tweezers
Plasters
Tips:
Register with a local GP on arrival
Keep the number for local doctors surgery/dentist
Keep a number for next of kin in your phone under NOK or ICE (next of kin or in case of
emergency)
Familiarise yourself with where the local A&E and drop-in centres are
Remember 111 for non-emergency medical advice (or NHS24 in Scotland - 08454 242424)
999 for emergencies
If you suffer with long-term conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy, keep an ID
bracelet/locket/book with your name, age, condition, medical list and number to phone with
you, just in case. Make sure your neighbours in Halls of Residences know what your condition
is and where vital medication is kept.
Miscellaneous
Holdall or 'weekend at home' bag
Handbag for nights/days out
Torch
Small sewing kit
Books/novels (fiction/non-fiction)
Musical instrument(s)
Things you won't need
A level text books. Give them to Oxfam or leave them in the garage. You will have a
University library bursting with high-brow academic textbooks. You wont need 'Introduction to
Economics' aimed at a 16 year old.
Book Tokens. Relatives love giving you these. It reminds them of when they went to Uni.
They don't realise that these days most of your course materials will be provided online or in a
stonkingly well-stocked library. You might buy one book the entire time you are at Uni. Ask for
Next, Boots or Sainsbury's giftcards instead. They will actually be some use.
A lovely matching set of rigid suitcases. If these don't fit under your bed, then where are
you going to store them? If you must use them to transport stuff to Uni, get your parents to
take them home with them. Squashy nylon holdalls, bin-liners and strong cardboard boxes are
much better for taking stuff to Uni. And they don't make other people laugh as much.
A car. There will be nowhere to park it at Uni. And everywhere else will cost you a fortune in
pound coins, day and night. All Unis have good bus services, and you don't get breathalysed
on those either. Leave the BMW at home.
Pets. There are nitwits who ask this question every year. No, you cannot take your kitten,
dog, budgie or hamster to Halls with you. Leave them at home as well.
Parents. Once they've helped you drag all your stuff up all those flights of stairs and made
embarrassing small-talk with your neighbours, it's time for them to go home. Provide tissues.
But make sure they go. They do not need to stay overnight anywhere 'just in case you need
us'. If they want to go to Uni, they can apply through UCAS.
Self-catered Halls or Private Flat
IF you are living in self-catering accommodation you might need some of the following.
If you are in a fully catered Halls of Residence, you won't need any of this stuff.
Kitchen Appliances
Beware: If you are sharing you may end up with many of the same appliance in one house and
remember your storage space in any communal kitchen will be very limited. Also some universities
do supply these in varying states of working order for those in university accommodation. Always
CHECK what you are allowed to bring with you - some unis are strict about electrical items.
Coffee maker
Kettle - usually supplied
Toaster - usually supplied
Rice Steamer
Kitchen Equipment
Obviously you dont need any of this if you are living in a fully catered halls of residence. Even in
self-catering CHECK what is provided before you go out and buy stuff. If you are a beans-on-toast
sort of person, buy the minimum - you won't need a wok.
Small casserole dish
Small frying pan
Wok or large frying pan (with lid)
Large saucepan (with lid)
Small saucepan (with lid)
Flat baking tray (for oven chips!)
Tin opener
Bottle opener
Corkscrew
Vegetable peeler
Cheese grater
Wooden spoons or spatulas
Masher
Microwavable bowl
Mixing bowl
Measuring jug
Pizza cutter ( though it can be easier to use scissors )
Sieve
Colander
Whisk
Chopping knives
Chopping board ( may be a good idea to get a different one for meat, and for
vegetables/bread to avoid cross-contamination )
Kitchen scissors
Tea towels
Storage
Tupperware (plastic tubs for storing leftovers.) Write your name on the lids and the tubs to
prevent them going missing
Sandwich bags (good for storing 'dry' leftovers)
Biscuit tin
Cling film (for covering bowls in the fridge/microwave)
Tin foil
Plastic drinks bottle (better than buying bottled drinks - and saves money)
Tableware
Glasses (pint glasses, tumblers, high-ball, shot glasses)
Cutlery (knives, forks, spoons) Tip - taking just one or two of everything will encourage you to
wash them straight away but make sure you have enough to have people over for a takeaway
dinner
Crockery (plates, bowls, mugs, cups)
Basic Ingredients
REMEMBER that uni towns have shops - you don't need to cart all this stuff from home!
Salt / Pepper
Herbs and spices
Sugar / Sweeteners
Ketchup, mayonnaise/ salad cream
Hot drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate)
Cooking oil/spray
Spreads - honey, jam, Marmite, peanut butter
Pasta sauce
Tins - stock up on soup, tinned fruit/veg, custard, rice pudding, canned meats, beans, peas etc
Cereal
Fruit squash/Ribena
Packet foods - e.g pasta/curry sauce, noodles, boil-in-the-bag rice, Angel Delight, pasta, jelly,
biscuits, crisps, instant mash etc.
Other
Tea towels
Baking foil
Greaseproof paper
Washing-up liquid
Bin bags
Recipe book/ instructions from your parents/guardian
Sandwich bags/Tupperware box for DIY lunches