TSR Wiki > University > Freshers 2008 > What To Take To University
What To Take to University
This is a descriptive inventory of nearly everything you could possibly want to take to university with you. It has been compiled from suggestions given by people already at university to prospective students and freshers. Using this as a guide, rather than a prescriptive list, hopefully you shouldn't forget anything vital! (And if all else fails, you can always buy them when you get there!)
Not everyone will need nor want to take everything on this page. Please do not edit something out of the list simply if you yourself will not be taking it - leave the items there for people decide themselves if they will take it or not.
One thing I would like to point out is that before I left for University I was actually quite embarassed about the amount of stuff I was taking. DON'T BE. People will turn up with two car loads so if there is something you want to take, take it. I personally left my guitar effects pedal and amp at home and I am REALLY regretting it!
Do remember you won't need everything on this list; some people will need stuff other's don't (i.e. if you're in catered halls you won't need a frying pan)! You can always go home and get it (unless you're in another country or in Scotland when you come from Reading...) or buy it when you get there! Taking stuff you don't need is a total waste of car space, and you'll need it!
Documents
- Passport Photos (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
- National Insurance Number
- NHS Medical Card
- Details of your vaccination history
- Insurance Documents
- TV Licence
- Support Notification
- 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
- Paying-In Book
- Bank or Building Society Details
- Travel Discount Cards (16-25 Railcard etc)
- CV & References
- CRB Check - Applicants copy (if required by your course)
Academic
- Reading List
- Academic Diary / Wall Planner / Calendar
- Relevant Old Text Books and Notes
- Dictionary
- Thesaurus
- GCSE and A-Level results/certificates. (Some Universities use these during your induction)
- PDA is useful, but not necessary
- Voice recorder if you have difficulty concentrating (etc.) in lectures, but do remember you'll have to make time to listen to it again, and ask for permission to record.
Stationary and Educational Equipment
Some universities may provide lamps/notice boards etc so buy these when you get there if they don't, and rather than carrying stationery with you it may be a better idea to buy it when you get there to save space/effort.
- Lamp
- Notice or Message Board
- Book Chair
- Lined Paper
- Printing Paper
- Jotter or Reporter Pad
- Pens
- Pencils
- Highlighters
- Permanent All-Surface Markers (useful for marking what's yours!)
- White Tack or Blu Tack
- Scissors
- Sellotape
- Hole Puncher
- Stapler
- Treasury Tags
- Paper Clips
- Post-it Notes or Flag Markers
- Sticky-back Labels
- Pins for sticking things to any cork boards provided
- Ruler(s)
- A4 Ring Binders or Lever Arch Folders
- Paper or Plastic Wallets
- Clipboard
- Envelopes & Stamps
- Rubbers
- Sharpener
- Calculator (especially if you're doing maths :P) + spare batteries
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Electrical Appliances
- Extension leads Get Surge protected ones to protect valuable equipment
- Socket converter (if you are an international student)
- Computer/Laptop & charger
- USB Pen drive
- CD-R/RW for creating hard back ups
- External Harddrive
- Printer (you will most likely get printer credits at your library, so don't go buying a new expensive one!)
- Alarm Clock
- Mobile Phone & charger
- CD-player
- Desk Fan
- Television (You will probably need to purchase a TV license).
- Digital Camera
- Batteries and charger
- MP3 Player/iPod (with charger and USB connector and headphones)
- Speakers and Connector
- Headphones
- DVD Player
- Digibox
- Games consoles
- Hair Dryer
- Hair Straighteners / Curling Tongs
- Iron, perhaps an ironing board but some unis have one for students to use (Small tabletop one, perhaps? Or just use the table itself if it's clean, but make sure you put a towel down first!)
Personal Items
- Rape Whistle
- Nail Clippers
- Nail Scissors
- Tweezers
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush / Comb
- Razor
- Shaving Gel
- Cologne
- Body Lotion
- Fleshlight (Portable Clunge)
- Body Spray
- Perfume
- Condoms/Femidoms
- Hair Dye
- Hair Products
- Jewellery Box
- Make-up
- Moisturiser
- Prescription Glasses/spare pair (and a copy of your prescription)
- Contacts & contacts solution
- Earplugs
- Brace/retainer & accessories
- lube
- Towels/Face Cloths/Sponges
First Aid Kit
- Prescription Medicines
- Contraception
- Multivitamins
- Painkillers
- Plasters
- Antiseptic Wipes
- Antiseptic Cream
- Blister Plasters
- Cold/Flu Remedy
- Throat Lozenges
- Pro-Plus
- Nytol
- Anti-allergy Tablets
- A Cold/Hot Pack
- Sanitary Towels/Tampons [For the females among us]
Clothing
- Onesie
- Dressing Gown
- Pyjamas
- Slippers
- Flip-flops (for communal showers/summer & 'beach' parties)
- Swimwear
- Normal, casual clothing
- Formal wear
- Gym or Sporting Clothes
- School Tie (for the school discos you're BOUND to have!)
- A warm coat, gloves, scarf, hat and a brolly (so many students pack in sunny September and get caught out/cold when Autumn/Winter starts to bite)
- Fancy Dress Items [seriously]
- Clean underwear
- Smart clothing and smart shoes suitable for interviews for part-time jobs
Fancy Dress
Take any suitable tools and items that will come in useful for a costume. It's best to get them in advanced otherwise you may pay over the odds.
- Face paints
- Scissors
- Glue
- Paper clips
- Sticky tape
- Bin bags
- Sewing Kit
- Possibly clothes/ accessories for
- 80s night theme
- Beach/ Full moon party
- Cowboy night
- Emergency/999 theme
- School disco night
- Halloween/ Christmas/ Easter/ Valentines
Bathroom Items
- Hand Towels
- Bath Towels
- Wash Bag
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Soap
- Shower gel
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Razor/epilator/hair removing equipment
- Shaving cream
- Toilet roll
- Air freshener
- Anti-perspirant/deodorant.
- Dry Shampoo. Look for brands such as Batiste, or if you're well off, Lee Stafford. (Just in case you don't have time for a shower before a lecture, or get up late!)
Bedroom Items
Bedding
- Sheets
- Duvet/Quilt (a lot of unis sell these on move-in day, but do check if they are provided, as they sometimes are!)
- Duvet/Quilt Cover
- Pillows
- Pillow Cases
- Mattress Protector [not only if you have incontinence issues, but if you have a drunken mishap during the night ;)]
- Blanket
Other Stuff
- Cushions so that your bed is both a bed and a sofa
- Cuddly toys :)
- Hot Waterbottle
- Sleeping Bag
- Inflatable Bed
- Airbed Pump
- Take something to eat for your first night's meal, as it might be a bit hectic.
Kitchen Items
Appliances
(beware: if you are sharing you may end up with many of the same appliance in one house). Also some universities do supply these in varying states of working order for those in university accommodation
- Mini-Fridge - beware: the vast majority of universities don't allow mini fridges in hall rooms (but if you make friends with the cleaners / bedders it shouldn't be an issue from past experience), if you're desperate to have cool drinks/milk in your room then it might be a better idea to invest in a cool box and some freezer packs
- Coffee Maker
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Toasted Sandwich Maker
Equipment
- 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
- Garlic Crusher
- Egg cups for boiled eggs
- Cheese Grater
- Wooden Spoons or Spatulas
- Masher
- Microwavable Bowl
- Measuring Jug
- Sieve (You can just use a colander for draining water)
- Colander
- Whisk
- Chopping Knives
- Chopping Board
- Lemon Squeezer
- Tupperware (plastic) tubs for storing left overs. Write something on the lids and the tubs to prevent them going missing
Other Kitchen Items
- Glasses (Wine Glasses, Shot Glasses, Pint Glasses, tumblers, high-ball)
- Cutlery (Knives, Forks, Spoons) Tip - Taking just 1 or 2 of everything will encourage you to wash them straight away
- Crockery (Plates, Bowls, Mugs, Cups)
- Apron
- Oven Glove
- Tea Towels
- Baking Foil
- Cling Film
- Sandwich Bags
- Marigolds - Washing up gloves
- Bin bags/black or white (plastic) sacks for rubbish and waste.
- Biscuit Tin
- Pizza slicer
- Kitchen Scissors
- Apple Corer
- A set of Scales or Balances
Laundry and Housekeeping Items
- Febreze
- Cillit Bang
- Washing Powder
- Fabric Softener
- Laundry Bag
- Clothes Horse
- Coat hangers
- Washing up Liquid
- Washing up Sponge/Cloth
- Kitchen Towel
- Toilet Roll (for ensuite rooms, or for those emergencies when it runs out!)
- Cleaning Equipment though often provided by universities
- Bucket for inevitable vomit
Decorative
- Posters often a stand at the freshers’ fair
- Photos
- Postcards
- Rug
- Throw
- Cushions
- Beanbag
- Fairy lights- these are sometimes not permitted in the University's Halls of Residence though as they are a fire hazard and safety hazard.
- Disco Balls
- Lava Lamps
- Plants
- Mood lights, can be an effective way of setting a romantic mood
- Air purifier thing, if you're like me and your room is always in a mess, it is possible to keep it smelling and feeling clean even though the cleaner last came over a month ago.
Miscellaneous
- Loose Change (for washing machines)
- Extra Storage – Boxes, Shelves, Hanging pocket organizer etc
- Holdall or Weekend Bag
- Torch
- Pen Knife
- Safety Pins
- Small Sewing Kit
- Small Tool Kit
- Matches/Candles
- Watch - always good for suddenly realising you've got a lecture in 2 minutes!
- Fan
- Hooks/Sticky Hooks
- Door Wedge
- Tissues
- Lip Balm/ Chap Stick
- Board Games
- Cards
- Balls/ Frisbees
- Sports Equipment
- Bike - but not too expensive, and invest in a very good lock
- Musical instrument(s)
- Umbrella
- Tray
- Recipe Book
- Super glue - very useful for fixing things
- Store Cupboard Ingredients (Oil, Spices, Tin and Packet Food)
- Alcohol. For the love of god take some wine and spirits and invite some neighbours over to make friends!!!
- Money!!
- Small safe for valuables / documents
- Traffic Cone (interesting conversation starter; may also be used to hang excess coats)
- Small plastic draw tower- Argos often have them- invaluable extra storage space.
- Spare birthday cards, for when you forget
- iPod/MP3 Player
See Also
