What do i actually need to bring to First year?
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Hello thatmoonwitch,
In terms on what you need to bring to university, this will depend on what course you will be doing along with what the accomodation will be like for you at university. I will try to answer some of your questions however.
What do I need to bring (for halls)?
When moving in to university I personally brought the following (as essentials):
•
Bath towels and a bath mat
•
Bedding
•
Kitchen equipment (saucepans, a frying pan, wooden spoon, colander, cutlery, plates, glasses etc)
•
Cleaning products
•
Drying rack, pegs and a laundry basket
•
Hangers
I personally brought a drying rack to university as this meant that I could easily dry my clothes without having to use the dryers at uni. I also find that having pair of flip-flops can be useful when I quickly need to go outside.
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
For bringing stuff that you don't need, I would check with your university accomodation to see what they provide along with checking what's allowed. You don't want to be bringing a bunch of kitchen appliances (e.g kettle, toaster, air fryer etc) only to find out that your accomodation already provides this for you or to find out that you're not allowed to bring it. For example I found that I did not need extension leads as my room had more than enough plug sockets.
What decor made your room feel more you?
I personally was not interested in having any decor in my room however I have noticed that many students like to bring house plants, photos, fairy lights or extra bedding to make their room feel more like home.
The Student Room has a handy guide here when it comes to what to bring to university, I would recommend reading it as a rough guide:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/university/freshers/what-to-take-to-university-checklist.
It is also worth checking with your university to see if they have recommendations or rules on what to bring.
Hope this helps!
Imane
Second-Year Languages student
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
What did you find essential that no one told you about? - Can't remember what they didn't told me about
•
Suitcase, rucksack/messenger bag, laptop bag min; holdall/sports bag optional
•
Suitcase full of clothes, hangers and toiletries
•
Clothes – clothes for night out, interview, everyday wearing, PJ, exercise; winter and summer coats and wear if abroad or not home that often
•
Laptop – pointer, wired mouse, 2 memory sticks
•
2 earphones, phone charger
•
Duvet, pillow cases, bed sheets
•
Umbrella
•
Kitchen utensils and dining ware - pot, pan, plate, set of cutlery, spatula, wooden spoon, chopping board, mug, and small paring knife/chef's knife
•
Extension leads – for multiple electronic devices in case your 2-4 electronic sockets in your room aren’t enough
•
Exercise equipment - dumbells, yoga mat (or something to cushion the weight and allow you to workout on the floor), skipping role, resistance bands, shaker, water bottle, etc.
•
Additional IT gear – monitor, speakers, printer (all in one), external hard drive, usb hub/port, DVD reader
•
Software/apps – Notion/ChatGPT, Microsoft Office, Desmos (for quantitative degrees), antivirus, Netflix or similar
•
Books and DVDs– only the ones that you keep going back to time and again or you intend to go over in detail during your time at uni
•
Bike – bike lock should be included
•
Tablet - not recommended to bring one
•
Mirror –the body length ones, but your room might have this; smaller ones are just as good
•
Laundry basket – get the sturdier ones as the pop up ones tend to break easily
•
Clothes airer – because you might not have a place to hang your clothes
•
First aid kit – because certain off campus accommodations don’t usually have this
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Coffee tumbler/travel mug –if you’re a fan
•
Bean bag, zabuton, cushions – for seating when you have friends around, and are still socially acceptable until your 20s or if you move abroad
•
Futon/sleeping bag – for the one night stayover during your second year
•
Lint rolls for clothes
What I don't recommend bringing are:
•
Large TVs and consoles
•
Workout bench
•
Your extensive shoe collection
•
Coffee table
•
Coat stand
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
Extension lead, bike
What decor made your room feel more you?
•
Posters from the uni
•
Cocktail shaker and recipes
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Hi @thatmoonwitch
Some things I found useful were:
•
A shoerack to keep my shoes a little bit more organised.
•
Bathroom storage - I had a little trolley which was great for keeping all of my toiletries off of the floor.
•
Headphones.
•
Things to do (e.g., books and colouring).
•
A waterproof coat and umbrella.
I found that my bedsheets, blankets and pillows helped my room to feel a bit more like home as I could decide what colours and patterns I wanted them to have. I also bought lots of pictures from home, and printed more off once I had been at uni for a while.
Whilst I did bring a lot of things with me to uni, I also bought some things when I arrived. I found that this gave me something to do during the first few weeks. It also gave me a chance to work out what I actually needed.
Hope that helps!
Sophie.
BCU Student Rep.
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Hi there,
It's great that you are thinking ahead and staying organised. You will receive information about what course specific items you'll need, closer to the time. Here's our link to a list of items we recommend our students to bring: What to take to university | Essentials checklist
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
Bringing or buying a drying rack once you've moved in is something I didn't get told about when I was moving to uni. Most accommodations have laundrettes on site however drying all the washing can become pricey. So I dried most of the washing in my room or hallway and used the laundrette for drying bedding and bigger items that take longer to dry.
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
Extensions Leeds are a must at accommodations which is something I wish I got told before moving. This is something that you could wait until you move and check what the sockets distribution is like, but it's good to keep in mind.
What decor made your room feel more you?
I brought bits that reminded me of home a little bit such as pictures or a blanket form home. Being a creative person, I had posters and pictures I collected over time within my room. I also printed some I found online, Pinterest is great for this if you are starting form scratch. Having some lights/lamps dotted around helped me to keep my room cosy as candles aren't allowed. This helped me to wind down but also keep me focused when doing uni work. I'm sure you you'll do great at making your room yours!
Hope this helps 🙂
^Zac
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Hi there!
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
-An extension lead!
-Also didn't think about washing detergent/fabric conditioner
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
-Most universities will come up with their own packing list closer to the time so I would definitely keep an eye out!
What decor made your room feel more you?
-Little bits from home, photos etc
-I quite liked the idea of having fun duvet covers to add a bit more personality.
Others have provided some really good examples too!
I hope this helps!
Daisy- Graduate Advocate 🙂
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Hi there,
Here are the things that I found most useful that you may forget/ not think about bringing:
1.
Extension leads
2.
Chargers
3.
A bathroom caddy, especially if you have a shared bathroom
4.
Sliders/slippers
5.
Storage boxes if you can fit them under your bed
6.
Hangers
7.
Medicine
8.
Blister plasters
9.
Airer
10.
A washing basket/bag with handles as this will be much easier to carry to the laundry room
I would say that I was told I wouldn't need lots of decoration bits as there wouldn't be much room, but I found that I ended up buying lots of little bits after.
I also found that a spare duvet set was a good idea as otherwise you will have to start your washing quite early so that it will be finished before you go to bed!
I made my room feel more like me with:
1.
pictures from home
2.
fairy lights (if you are allowed)
3.
LED candles (not real ones)
4.
Cushions
5.
Blankets
I hope some of this helps 🙂
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Hi @thatmoonwitch
There's a few things i brought to university that i find useful but haven't heard many people mention:
•
Items related to hobbies. At university you get lots of free time, so bringing equipment for your hobbies is essential. This may include crafting, knitting or baking supplies, sports equipment ect.
•
Crocs or flip flops to wear in the communal areas of your flat
•
Over door coat handers
•
A shower caddy - if your sharing a bathroom a little basket to put all your toiletries in can be quite nice.
•
Baskets to organize storage in your room - i have one for cleaning products and to store things i use on my desk
•
Room decorations - like posters, photos for your pin board or houseplants
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Hi
Starting your journey to University can be tough, well done on starting early.
One thing that I have found essential is extension leads and cleaning supplies for your room. There just are never enough plugs so extension leads can be handy although check with your accommodation provider if these are allowed.
Cleaning supplies are a must, you just don't realise how quickly your room and kitchen space can get messy.
Check out our blog on what to bring to university here.
I hope this helps,
Matt
Wrexham Uni Reps
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Nice to meet you, my name is Siobhan and I'm a third year student at University of Lancashire. This is a great question and one that many others will wondering too. From my experience, here are some things that I found useful when moving in:
Essentials:
•
Extension chords - Sometimes accommodations don't have that many sockets in your room, and you don't realise how many things you will need to plug in until you get there, so extension chords are very handy to have when moving in!
•
Important documents: This is something I was told I wouldn't need by my parents but actually needed it the most! You may need to bring your passport or licence if you have one as you never know when you will need it and its safer to bring them rather than send them through the post.
•
Laundry basket: If you're in an accommodation you will most likely need to walk to a different building to do your laundry so get a sturdy basket that you can carry your clothes in!
•
Kitchen items - Plates, pans and cutlery are a must when going to uni. Make sure you have all the bits and bobs you will need to cook. When buying this stuff make sure you ask if they do student discounts!
Non essential:
•
Cleaning items such as hoovers, mops, brushes, irons etc. Your uni accommodation should typically provide this. It could be good to check beforehand though.
•
Loads of stationary - Items such as highlighters and fancy coloured pens are not essential. I remember splashing out and getting a pencil case full of pens and pencils and never using them because my uni and course is mainly digital. If you prefer not taking on paper though then feel free to get this!
•
Clothes for every season - taking all of your clothes takes up A LOT of space in your accommodation and you might find you struggle to store everything. It can also be a pain bringing everything back with you on when you travel back home for the holidays. I would recommend only brining what you see yourself wearing and items that match the weather
coming up.
Things to make your room more like you:
•
Photos: Most accommodations have boards that you can pin photos too. Doing this deffo made my room feel more home like and reflect me and where I've come from.
•
Decor - I brought some decor such as fairy lights from home and put them in my uni room and this helped me feel like I was back at home!! I also brough my teddies that I got from friends and family so that my room was more cosy!
•
Double duvet - something that I always recommend is getting yourself a double duvet even if you're bed at uni is a single. You can cuddle up at night and get cosy with the double duvet, especially in winter!!
One last thing that is ESSENTIAL to do when you start uni is to sign up to a GP, do this ASAP.
I've attached below the UCAS recommended list for items to bring to uni. Hope this has helped and please let me know if you have any more questions.
https://www.ucas.com/money-and-student-life/student-life/starting-university-or-college/list-absolutely-everything-you-need-take-university-or-college
Siobhan (student ambassador for university of Lancashire)
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Hey @thatmoonwitch,
Congratulations on starting your university journey so soon! 🎉
I remember being your shoes last year - being so excited to move into halls! When it comes to things people didn't usually talk about, here are some of recommendations -
• Laundry basket (preferably with wheels)
• A small-first aid kit
• Pictures, pillows, rugs and room decorations to make your room more cozy and comfortable.
• Door Hangers for bags, jackets and coats
• Cards or boardgames (to play with your flatmates or friends)
• Snacks and comfort food
• Small cleaning supplies
• A reusable shopping bag
• A powerbank
My advice would be to contact your student accommodation and check what kitchen appliances (like toasters, kettles, etc) and other essential electronic appliances (like iron) they provide. This will help prevent overpacking. And don't worry if you forget to pack a few items - you can always get it after you have moved in!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Akshita
(University of Southampton Student Rep)
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Do you know any details about the type of halls you are likely to be living in (catered/self catered, en suite/shared facilities, studio/shared kitchen)?
Also whether you are likely to need to move out for either the Christmas or Easter holidays or both?
Also how you are likely to be travelling to university?
Also whether you are likely to need to move out for either the Christmas or Easter holidays or both?
Also how you are likely to be travelling to university?
Hi!
So, i my halls haven’t been confirmed yet but i know that i won’t need any kitchen appliances, and i will have an en-suite.
I only have to move out for the summer i believe
However i’m so lost there’s so much information and like i just don’t know what i need to bring.
What did you find essential that no one told you about?
What’s something that you were told you didn’t need and did need?
What decor made your room feel more you?
Thanks guys
Hey there 😁
Honestly, it’s tricky to think of things we might forget because, deep down, we already know what we need. Plus, everyone is different. We all bring our own essentials. So don’t stress too much! Instead, just ask yourself: What do I use daily, and what will I actually need?
Since you’ve started preparing so early, I’m sure you’ll have everything sorted in time! ✨
Once you transition into university life, your habits and routines might change, and you’ll naturally discover new things that could be useful. But there’s no rush to buy items you’ve never used before. You might find you don’t need them at all. Everyone’s uni experience is different, so packing smart is better than overpacking!
For now, I’d suggest making a list of your everyday essentials and focusing on those. Once you settle into your accommodation, you’ll get a feel for what’s missing (if anything) and can pick up extras as needed. No need to overthink it. You’ve got this! 💪
I personally found that I packed way too much and ended up not using half of it. It was just wasted space and money. So keep it simple!
As for decor, bringing something that makes your room feel like home is a great idea 🏡 For me, it was photos of family and friends pinned to my board. You might prefer colorful cushions, fairy lights, or a cosy blanket - whatever makes the space feel yours. But again, don’t go overboard. Once you see your room, it’ll be easier to decide what would make it feel more like YOU.
I hope you have an amazing time in halls! It’s such a big part of the uni experience, and I’m sure you’ll make some fantastic memories 🎉
I hope it will be helpful 💪 Feel free to reach out if you have any questions 😉 You can also chat with me or other students directly through The Ambassador Platform.
Take care,
Julia
Psychology student
De Montfort University
So, i my halls haven’t been confirmed yet but i know that i won’t need any kitchen appliances, and i will have an en-suite.
I only have to move out for the summer i believe
Will you be getting driven/drive yourself to uni or relying on public transport (or flights)?
we will be driving down
So no issues with space then!
In that case the things most commonly forgotten are often things like an umbrella, waterproof/warm coats etc. especially if we have a mild September weather. Also if you have to get the bus to and from uni/town etc then you might want to invest in a nice winter coat now while there’s still some in the sales. Likewise if you’re likely to be walking instead of getting the bus then some comfy shoes and boots for winter trips saves you from tip towing around puddles in canvas trainers.
A good coat is good for middle of the night winter fire alarms too.
If you need a cup of tea first thing before getting dressed then a dressing gown is a good plan. Most halls are heated to volcanic temperatures.
Decoration wise I personally think cushions are a waste of space. Better to have a colourful/soft rug - especially if your room has the sort of rough carpet/carpet tiles common in halls.
And while hanging things on walls can be a problem you’ll usually have a curtain rail of some sort and a window - so some suction hooks to connect to the window and nice things to hang there is a good way to personalise your space. Suction hooks will often work to attach to mirrors, shelves and wardrobe doors too.
If you have an ensuite then bring some rubber gloves for cleaning the toilet. And think about some suction hook shelves etc for keeping your toiletries tidy.
The above responses all are great so I won't add to the long packing list but here is my advice!
Moving to Uni is a big step in your life so it's great that you're thinking ahead, as this will make you feel more prepared and less stressed last minute when August/September comes along.
If I'm being completely honest with you - Youtube will probably be your best friend for this! It helped me a lot when I was trying to imagine what being a student at my Uni would be like. With the rise of Youtubers and now Tiktokers, I would just google your University and look for current students posting about things like packing, day in their life etc.
This genuinely helped me come up with a packing list, find things that I wanted to do when I first arrived in Liverpool so I wasn't just sat there clueless, and also helped me figure out what kind of accommodation I wanted to stay in.
There will be 1000s of videos and posts across the web of people saying what to pack for Uni, so definitely look at these and you will have a complete list - and also as the above have said, starting to buy bits and pieces throughout the year also evens out the cost so you're not spending so much at one go, and also will help you feel more prepared the closer to move in day you get!
Hopefully this helps!!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
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