Moving into university

Does anyone have a list if essentials to bring to uni? Also any advice on when you should start preparing/packing. I don't want to leave it to late but I feel ic I do it too early I'll overpack. Any advice?

Reply 1

BCU Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi there!

It's never too early to start preparing!

UCAS has a good list to get you started; click here to have a look!

Something I did over the summer leading up to moving out was take note of the things that I regularly use. As I was living my day-to-day life, anything that I used that I thought I'd probably forget I would add to the list. I used that list and the UCAS list when it came to packing. I had everything and slightly more than I needed in the end :smile:

Have a great summer!

Ana - BCU Student Rep.

Reply 2

hallamstudents

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi there,

I would say that it is a good idea to start making lists now of what you think you will need or want to bring to university as this should help you to feel a little bit more prepared when it comes to moving in. If you have the space to start getting things out and packing, you could do so now, or you could wait until a little bit closer to the time as you still have loads of time to prepare.

I think some good things to pack that you might forget are things like hangers as you will need these to hang any of your clothes up when you first move in and this is something that a lot of people forget that they will need. Also, something good to bring is an extension lead as sometimes in halls the plugs are quite far away from things you will need them for so it's good to have an extension lead to help you with this.

I would also recommend bringing a mattress topper as the beds can be quite uncomfortable so this just helps you to have a little bit extra comfort. Make sure you bring your duvet and pillows etc too and check what size your bed is going to be before you move in so you know what size duvet to buy!

Another thing I would bring is things from home to make your room feel like your own! Bring some photos of family and friends and if you do this then make sure you bring some drawing pins to stick them up with on your pinboard. You could also bring some things like blankets and cushions to make your room feel homely and like your room at home! These kind of things will help you if you do feel a bit homesick which you may do in the first few weeks of uni.

On moving in day you will also likely need some form of ID and proof of enrolment on your course so make sure you have this handy in case you need it.

I hope some of this helps!

Lucy -SHU student ambassador :smile:

Reply 3

Chester Student

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi there,

I don't think it's ever too early to start preparing!

As well as the list from UCAS that was linked, I think this list from Prospects is also really useful.

Making the most of the summer before university starts to compile these lists and get everything together will give you a chance to be prepared, but also to not worry as the time gets closer. There may be a lot of things you have to purchase, so this gives you some time to find the best deals and really invest in things that you want, e.g., kitchen essentials.

Also, I'd take this time to find out what you use regularly. This is especially useful for clothing, as students often have limited closet space!

I think if you prepare well, create lists, and purchase everything in good time, you'd only need to start packing everything as early as two weeks in advance to not be stressed.

I hope this helps,

Isabella
Third-year Geography with a Year Abroad Student

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 4

Heriot-Watt Uni

Official Rep

Hello!

It is definitely not too early to start thinking about packing. I laid my suitcase on my bedroom floor and gradually added bits in over August to make it less overwhelming at the start of september. I would also recommend making a list separated for different areas (Eg bathroom, kitchen, bed, desk) and add items over the month you think you may need. for example, i never thought of bringing tweezers for uni until i used them and added it to the list so i did not forget.

there are plenty of articles about what to pack (such as UCAS), videos of hauls on youtube and packing lists online which can be helpful.

some commonly forgotten items i would recommend are:

•

hangers

•

extension cord

•

blanket

•

tweezers

•

nail clippers

•

notebooks

•

gluestick/sellotape

•

items from home

•

tea towels

hope this helps!

good luck,

Lucy

3rd year languages student

Reply 5

McGinger

(1) What to take to university checklist | The Student Room

But remember - you are moving out next June, and it'll be a very small room with very limited storage.
Do not take endless 'just in case' stuff.

Reply 6

UCLan Student

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi there!

My name is Siobhan and I’m a 3rd year student at UCLAN! This is a great question and one that a lot of people in your shoes will be asking right about now. Here are a couple things that I would definitely recommend for your first year in uni to give you that homely feel 😊🏡

Even if you have a single bed I would most definitely recommend bringing a double duvet, you can cuddle up in it at winter and it makes you feel extra cosy! So many people in my year did this and said it is the best choice they made! 🛌

Bring bits and bobs from home. You might get home sick as it’s a new thing moving out so make sure to bring that teddy or picture from your bedside table 🧸

Bring extension cords!! A lot of people forget this, but an extension cord is ESSENTIAL when starting uni. You never realise how many things need plugging in til you move away so deffo get one of those beforehand! ⚡️🔌

I would recommend getting food and snacky bits when you’re already at the uni. I brought a couple bits with me in second year and it took up a lot of space in the car! 🛍️🛒

It’s really up to you when you pack, it’s better to be prepared earlier so you aren’t stressing last minute!

Hope that helps and please feel free to message me if you have any more questions!

Siobhan (3rd year Physiotherapy student at UCLAN)

Reply 7

StudentRoost Rep

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi there,
You're not alone, it's difficult to know what's essential to take to uni. In terms of what to pack, I'd make a list of essentials (this way you don't overpack) and leave out anything you could easily purchase when you arrive at uni. It may even be worth double checking with your uni accommodation team or provider what they include as part of your accommodation, this will save you packing duplicates of what's already there.

-Nicky

Reply 8

hugsandxoxs

Deffo never too early,. Ucas has a list, and so does urban outfitters funnily enough. Watch some tiktoks bc they have some gret info and know what kind of storage your accom has! people recomend getting those things for your closet so that you can have more space, but if u have a lot of pullout space in your dorm you're going to need more space to hang your clothes etc.

Also don't forget you can buy things when u get to uni! you dont have to get everything at once

Reply 9

University of Portsmouth Student Rep

Hi there!

It can be so easy to feel overwhelmed by packing to move to uni for the first time, and while there is no definitive way to do it, there are a few things that will come in really handy at uni!

1. Any paperwork/ID or other documents that you might need while you’re away from home. It can be so easy to forget things like this because you rarely use them but it’s so useful to have them with you if you’re applying to jobs/internships or something similar, as they may ask to see them.

2. Extension leads - as most people on this thread have already mentioned, these are so useful as you’ll often find you have limited sockets, or they’re not quite where you need them, so having an extension lead just makes like a little bit easier!

3. Anything that you find comforting, or that makes you feel at home. If you have a blanket you love, or some photos/ posters you’d like to have on your wall, it’s a great idea to take them to help your room feel more like home.

If you’re still unsure about what to pack, a good thing to do over summer is to make a mental (or physical) note of all the things that you reach for on a daily basis, as this can help you to remember the essentials when you’re packing! It also stops you from overpacking too much, as you often have less storage at uni. As for when you pack, that’s up to you, I like to start about 2 weeks before as it gives me time to get anything I’m missing, but I do the bulk of it the week before, depending on how much time I have!

I hope this helps, and good luck with your packing, and for starting uni!

Eryn - Portsmouth Student Rep 🙂