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What To Take To University
TSR Wiki > University > Freshers > What To Take To University
What to take to university
So what do you need to pack? This page will tell you. It's an inventory of everything you could possibly want to take to university with you, and has been compiled from suggestions given by people already at university. Think of it as a guide - you certainly won't be taking everything on the list! But, having read through it, you hopefully shouldn't forget anything vital.
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 to decide for themselves.
One thing: don't be embarrassed about the amount of stuff you're taking to uni. People will turn up with two car-loads: so if there is something you want to take, take it.
Contents |
Academic
- Reading list, and any other maps/guides the Uni sent you in advance
- Academic diary
- Wall planner / calendar
- Dont bother taking A level texts with you - you wont need them.
- Lined notebooks for taking notes at lectures - A4 size ones with tear out pages are useful
- Pen drive/USB memory stick
- Dictionary / Thesaurus
- Exam results/certificates (Some universities need to see these during your enrolment/induction)
- Pencil case - with basic pens, pencils etc, small stapler, ruler, hole punch and calculator
- Watch - so you wont be late for lectures.
- Wallet/purse - with card slots for student id, travel pass, bank card etc.
- Key ring
- BAG. Get one big enough for several text books and an A4 file/notebook. No complicated catches/buckles/zips. Waterproof. Comfortable shoulder strap. Choose 'practical' over 'decorative' every time.
Bathroom items
- Hand towels
- Bath towels
- Flannel/sponge
- Wash bag
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Cotton buds
- Cotton pads
- Make-up remover
- Nail varnish remover
- Sanitary towels/tampon
- Soap
- Shower gel
- Facewash
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hair gel/wax/hairspray
- Hair brush/comb
- Hair grips/clips/bobbles
- Razor/epilator/hair-Removing Equipment
- Shaving cream
- Anti-perspirant/deodorant
- Perfume/aftershave
Bedroom items
Bedding
CHECK what is provided by the Uni before you go out and buy stuff!
- Sheets
- Duvet/quilt
- Duvet/quilt covers
- Pillows
- Pillow cases
- Warm blanket/fleece
Decorative items
- Photos
- Alarm Clock
- A poster with your name and course to go on your door (it's inviting for your new flat mates and it can avoid the awkwardness)
- Door wedge (If you keep your bedroom door open you'll make friends with your new housemates much more quickly)
- Cuddly toys
- Hot water bottle
- Desk Lamp
- Clothes wash basket/bin/bag
- Small bin
- Coffee mug
Clothing
Everyday
- Normal, casual clothing - jeans, t-shirts etc
- Fleece type jumpers or cotton sweatshirts etc - much, much easier to wash & dry than knitted ones.
- Underwear and socks
- Comfortable waterproof shoes
- Dressing gown
- Pyjamas/nightie (or, if you prefer, an adult onesie)
- Slippers/big socks
- Flip-flops (for communal showers/summer & 'beach' parties)
- Fleece jacket - warm, light to carry about and dries quickly
- Warm coat - you'll need it sooner than you think
- Rain jacket that you can scrunch up into a corner of your bag
- Gloves, scarf, hat
Formal
- Dark suit/evening dress (suitable for black tie events) - if you are going to that sort of Uni
- Smart shoes/heels
- Clothing suitable for interviews for part-time jobs
Other
- Special clothing for matriculation (e.g. Oxbridge and Durham - this should be specified by the uni)
- Uniform (ie. if you're a nursing student you'll get a uniform supplied but you need shoes etc)
- Swimwear
- Gym/sports clothes & trainers
- Shoe polish kit (You want those shoes shining for your job interview! And disorganised medics will love you for having it)
Fancy dress
Take any suitable tools and items that will come in useful for a costume. It's best to get them in advance otherwise you may pay over the odds. You dont need to bring ALL this - just a few items will do to start with.
- School tie (for the school discos you're BOUND to have!)
- Face paints
- Glitter
- Scissors
- Glue
- Paper clips
- Sticky tape
- Bin bags
- Sewing kit (safety pins!)
- Bed sheet (seriously so useful! Togas, ghosts, whatever but it's worth having.)
Possibly clothes/accessories for:
- 80s theme
- Beach/full-moon party
- Cowboy theme
- Emergency/999 Theme
- School disco
- Halloween/Christmas/Easter/Valentine's
- Pink theme (e.g. LGBT nights)
- Mobsters theme
- Armed forces theme
- Cartoon theme
Cycle items
- Bicycle (a crappy one is far less likely to be stolen. If it's good, get insurance. It's cheaper than you think)
- A very good lock, ideally a D Lock because cable locks are considerably inferior
- Puncture repair Kit
- Pump (possibly adapter needed for valve)
- Allen keys (those bits of metal with a hexagonal cross-section) - Not essential but handy for tightening/removing parts
- Reflectives. (some unis will fine you if you don't use them)
- A rucksack if you plan to cycle. Panniers are good for shopping too.
- A water bottle & stand
- Bell and lights
- Camelbak/Platypus hydration system for serious cyclists
- Mouthscarf (to reduce fume inhalation around busy roads)
- Anti-glare glasses
- Hi-vis jacket for night riding on roads
- Lubricant (for gears/chains)
Driving/car items
BE REALISTIC - having a car at Uni might be nice but can you afford the insurance and cost of street parking?
- Important documents such as; car ownership papers, driving license, insurance papers, MOT documents, tax papers, break-down membership
- Spare set of keys
- Parking permits / swipe cards for car parks (Some universities, places of work and work experience placements require you to pay for a parking permit in order to park your car)
- Map or sat-nav
- First-aid kit
- Torch
- Warning triangle
- Spare fuses
- Spare tyre
- Car jack
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 vaccination history
- Insurance documents
- 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
- 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)
- Exam certificates
- 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.
- Extension leads Get surge protected ones to protect valuable equipment
- Socket converter (if you are an international student)
- Computer/laptop (if buying a new laptop, get the lightest one you can)
- Laptop case/bag
- Chargers
- Mouse/mat
- 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?)
- Television - only worth it if you arent in Halls.
- Small CD player
- CDs & wallet/case
- MP3 player/iPod
- USB lead (charger)
- Docking station
- Alarm clock
- Wall clock
- Hair dryer
- Hair straighteners/curling tongs
- Iron & Ironing board (only if you arent in Halls)
First aid items
- Prescription medication including contraceptives
- Condoms you can collect a stack at freshers and get a C-Card allowing you free condoms
- Painkillers Essential after your first couple of nights
- Plasters
- Antiseptic cream
- Cold/flu remedy, Lemsip etc
- Throat lozenges
- Anti-allergy tablets (if you get hay fever)
- Nail Scissors
- Tweezers
- Multi-vitamin & iron supplement
Tips:
- 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
- 999 for emergencies
- If you suffer with long-term conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy, keep an ID braclet/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.
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. Always CHECK what you are allowed to bring with you - some Unis are strict about electrical items.
- Coffee maker
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Rice Steamer
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.
- 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 (you will become very popular with this)
- Corkscrew
- Vegetable peeler
- Garlic crusher
- Cheese grater
- Wooden spoons or spatulas
- Masher
- Microwavable bowl
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring jug
- Pizza cutter
- Sieve
- Colander
- Whisk
- Chopping knives
- Chopping board
- Lemon squeezer
- Kitchen scissors
- T-towels
Storage
- Tupperware (Plastic tubs for storing left overs. Write something on the lids and the tubs to prevent them going missing.)
- Sandwich bags
- Biscuit tin
- Cling film (for covering bowls of things like baked beans. You shouldn't put tins in the fridge!)
- Plastic drinks bottle (fill it up with squash and take it with you rather than buying bottled drinks - saves money)
Tableware
- Glasses (wine glasses, shot glasses, pint glasses, tumblers, high-ball)
- 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 - not just for pasta
- Tins - stock up on soup, tinned fruit/veg, custard, rice pudding, canned meats, beans, peas etc
- Cereal
- Fruit squash/ribena
- Packet foods - eg pasta/curry sauce, noodles, boil-in-the-bag rice, angel whirl, pasta, jelly, biscuits, crisps, instant mash etc.
Other
- Tea towels
- Baking foil
- Greaseproof paper
- Washing-up liquid
- Bin bags
- Recipe book/ instructions from your mum
- Sandwich bags/Tupperware box for DIY lunches
Laundry and housekeeping items
- Washing powder
- Fabric softener
- Laundry bag
- Drying rack (university may provide)
- Coat hangers
Miscellaneous Items
- Sainsburys/Tescos etc giftcards, Boots/Superdrug gifts cards etc etc - ask for these as 'going to Uni' presents from family. Dont ask for bookshop cards - you dont actually buy many books at Uni - you use the University Library.
- Loose change (for washing machines)
- Extra storage – boxes, shelves, hanging pocket organizer, etc.
- Holdall or weekend bag - a wheely suitcase is useful for lugging crates of alcohol back from the supermarket!
- Rucksacks are useful for carrying items around leaving your hands free, or if you like walking (D of E nostalgia!)
- Handbags for nights/days out
- Torch (wind-up ones are best!)
- Safety pins
- Small sewing kit
- Small screwdriver
- Watch - always good for suddenly realising you've got a lecture in two minutes!
- Door wedge
- Card games
- Books/novels (fiction/non-fiction)
- Sports equipment
- Musical instrument(s)
- Local taxi number
- Local map
- Local doctor's Number
- Local dentist number
- 0800 REVERSE or 0800 MUM DAD (for reverse charge calls)
- Super Glue - very useful for fixing things
- Water bottle
- UV pen to mark valuables so if they're stolen and then found again by the police they can be returned to you
Personal items
- Prescription glasses
- Copy of prescription
- Spare pair of glasses
- Contact lenses
- Contact lens solution(s)
- Brace/retainer and accessories
- Earplugs - for those noisy nights (people keeping you up) and for nightclubs if you have ear problems
- Condoms/contraceptives (really, really important)
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 Wilkinsons and Poundland are cheaper than Rymans or Paperchase.....
- Noticeboard
- 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 (useful for marking what's yours! & when someone passes out)
- Ruler
- Eraser
- Sharpener
- Tippex
- Pencil case
- Pen pot (ones with multiple pots can store paperclips, staples, etc. as well as the usual pens and pencils)
- White Tack or Blu Tack
- Scissors
- Sellotape
- Hole puncher
- Stapler
- Staples
- Paper clips
- Post-it Notes or flag markers
- Elastic bands
- 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)
- Spare batteries
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