What do I actually need for Uni?
Reply 1
Hi there,
I highly recommend the UniBuddy platform - a place where you can directly message the student ambassadors of the uni/ accommodation that you're looking at 🙂
Personally when I started uni, I literally just bought saucepans, frying pan, plate, bowl, basic kitchen utensil set and cutlery and dealt with everything else once I got there.
Hope this helps
Charlotte, Student Ambassador
Reply 2
Hi @m.ayr3s ,
It can be hard to know what to pack when going to uni so I thought I could tell you some of the things that I found useful when going to uni and what you might not need!
For your room:
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Extension leads were always useful for me. You will likely only have one or two plug sockets, so if they are not near your bed/desk (or wherever you need them to be) it will be very useful to have an extension lead so that you can use whatever you need to!
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I also think that storage boxes are very useful but you need to know if your bed has space underneath it first. My bed had space underneath so I bought some boxes that fit underneath for extra storage as there wasn't much storage in my accommodation.
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Hangers! These are easy to forget but you will need them.
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Medicine /first aid kit. This is very handy as you will want things in if you start to feel poorly!
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Games such as a pack of cards are also good for freshers. Other people may have them but it's one thing that doesn't matter if a few of you have as they are cheap and you may lose some.
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Homely things such as photos and blankets are always nice too.
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Fairly lights are nice, but some accommodations do not allow them so have a look before you go to see if it is worth buying!
What not to buy for your room:
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Candles as you will likely not be allowed them.
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I didn't find a door stop useful even though lots of people said they were good to bring. Because of fire safety laws you probably won't be allowed to keep your door open all the time and I just found other things to prop it open with if I wanted to.
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Big things such as a printer - your uni will have them to use or your local library will!
What to buy for your kitchen:
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Your own pots and pans. Just check if your hob only allows certain pans as our first year was induction only and it caught a few people out!
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Plates, bowls etc. I would say try and make sure there is something distinctive about them so they don't get mixed up with other peoples - patterned, coloured etc.
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The same with cutlery and utensils - try and make sure they are recognisable as yours.
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Tea towels, dish cloths.
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I always found a dishmatic to be very useful!
Things I wouldnt buy for the kitchen:
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Big things such as kettles, toasters as you should get these and if not it's better to potentially buy as a flat when you know them.
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Air fryers - you may not be allowed and again, if it is something you want it is probably worth buying when you get there and see what other people have.
I hope some of this helps 🙂
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
Reply 3
Hi there,
You've had some great responses already, but I just wanted to add my own thoughts!
I'd say definitely stick to the basics. Don't buy a kettle, toaster, air fryer, microwave, or anything else like this. Your accommodation will likely supply them but if they don't, others may already have them to share.
I've had the same kitchen supplies for a few years now. It's enough to get me through a couple days without doing dishes, so it is more than enough. A few mugs, glasses, bowls, plates, enough cutlery, a baking tray, chopping board, basic cookware, and other cooking utensils. Don't forget tinfoil and cling film, as well as a tea towel and washing up supplies. I think with anything else, you'll figure out what you need as you go.
For your room, an extension cord, medicine, cleaning supplies, a lamp (!), and extra bedding are useful. I also found a fan to be needed this year, as my window doesn't open very wide.
I hope this helps,
Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography (With a Year Abroad)
Reply 4
Hi @m.ayr3s,
Congrats on securing your place in uni! It’s a good idea to check what’s already provided at Pier Quays, as most uni accommodations will have some basic furniture and kitchen appliances, but there are definitely essentials you’ll need to bring.
Bedding – Duvet, pillows, bedsheets (check bed size!), Laundry basket & clothes hangers, Extension lead, Storage boxes.
Plates, bowls & cutlery, Mug & glass, Pots & pans, Knives & chopping board, Tupperware, Tea towels & washing-up sponge.
I wrote a thread about some things you should bring to uni, you can have a read of it here: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7498854
Hope this helps,
Danish
BCU Student Rep
Reply 5
Hi there!
Congrats on your offer to go to uni 🙂 - just wanted to add my thoughts to the others' you've already received...
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Check if your accom includes bedding (e.g. duvet, pillows) as some do and some don't!
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Do not buy a desklamp - I brought one only to find my room already had one. You can easily get one later if you find your room doesn't have one.
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Defo bring a plate or two, a set of cutlery, your own saucepan, a mug or two and teatowel/dishcloth, and washing up liquid.
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Chargers, leads, laptop accessories such as mouse, mousemat, pen drive to easily transport presentations without the need for wifi - are all good investments.
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Bring something with a good story behind it - for example a Teddy which has travelled the world, a scrapbook or (in my case) a denim jacket from 1982 - these are good to remind you of home and make great conversation starters!
I hope this helps a bit - huge best of luck for this year!
Holly
University of Bath
Hi @m.ayr3s
Most of the other ambassadors have mentioned the essentials but there's a few other ideas which are sometimes forgotten:
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Brightly coloured kitchenware - have plates, bowls, cutlery ect. that are patterned or brightly coloured so you can easily tell which is yours
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Crocs/sliders to wear around the communal areas of your flat
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Extension Leads
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A shower caddy/basket if you are sharing a bathroom to keep all of your toiletries in
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Equipment relating to hobbies you want to continue at university, these may be sports equipment, crafting supplies ect.
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Over the door hangers for coats
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Clothes horse
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Posters/photos to decorate your room, usually you will be provided with a pin board
Hope this helps!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)
Reply 7
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 September comes along.
If I'm being completely honest with you - Youtube or Tiktok 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. I would just search your University on either of the apps and look for current students posting about things like packing, day in their life etc. Even if no results come up from your Uni specifically, there will be tons of videos to watch and get a list from!
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.
As I said, there will be thousands 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. Also, 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 - good luck!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
Reply 8
Hey there @m.ayr3s , just to add on, investing in a good set of bedding linens, duvet and pillows go a long way in making your new room at uni so much more homey and comfortable 🙂 Also when you move in, remember to check for student discounts and amazon prime free trial through your Unidays / Student Beans app 🤗
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
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