What to take to University: The Full List

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Bedroom

• Bedding - Double check the bed size before you go, as sizes can range from single, 3/4 size to double. Don't forget a spare set for when you're washing the other!

• Duvet and pillows

• Mattress Topper - I bought an amazing mattress topper in my second year and it's the best thing I've done.

• Blankets 

• Cushions 

• Laundry Bag/Hamper 

• Coat Hangers - Lots of people forget these! I personally like the velvet kind, as it stops your clothes slipping off.

• Sleeping Bag - Always a good idea for if you have friends come to stay.

• Small bin - I didn't have a bin in my bathroom in halls so I bought my own.

• Decorative Items - Take some things to brighten up your room. I took an orchid for on my window sill, some pictures to put on my cork board and a few other bits and bobs to scatter round my room. (Take a look at Dormify on Pinterest. They have all sorts of tips on how to decorate your room.) 

• Photos from home

• Alarm clock - Just because you have an alarm on your phone, doesn't mean you will wake up. I personally like the sunrise clocks to make 9am lectures a bit more bearable.

• TV  - Lots of people take TV's to uni but personally, I made do with my iPad and laptop.

• Extension lead - There aren't always enough plugs in halls. Best to take an extension lead so you can watch the TV, do your hair and charge your phone all at the same time.

• Books

• Hot water bottle

• Door stop - Keep your door open when you first arrive is my biggest tip. That way your flat mates know you're in the room and can come and say hi. Alternatively you could use a crate of beer like my flat mate.

• Box of sweets/chocolates - I took a box of haribo along with me when I first moved into halls but chocolates could also be a good bet. It's a great way to get chatting and also wins you bonus points for providing sweets.

Clothes

• Casual Clothes

• Loungewear 

• Going out clothes

• Smart clothes - Suitable for a job interview. If doing a business course, you'll sometimes be required to wear smart clothes for presentations.

• Underwear and socks

• PJs 

• Dressing gown

• Slippers

• Swimwear 

• Gym clothes

• Winter clothes - Coat, hat, scarf, gloves etc. It can be easy to forget these when you leave in September. 

• Fancy dress - Including a white sheet, school tie, white shirt and any props you might have.

• Going out shoes

• Casual shoes

• Trainers

• Snow shoes/Wellies - It snowed A LOT during my first year and I had no suitable shoes

• University bag - Big enough to fit your books/laptop etc

• Night out bag

• Day time bag

• Large Travel Bag

• Gym bag

Kitchen

• Crockery  - Bowls, Plates etc

• Cutlery - Knives, Forks, Spoons. Take plenty, they have the tendency to disappear.

• Glasses - Normal water glasses, pint, wine and shot

• Mugs

• Kettle/Toaster- These are sometimes provided and although on this list, I'd still wait before you buy them. If you and your flatmates decide to buy one before you arrive you might end up with 6 toasters and 6 kettles in your halls kitchen. 

• Toastie maker - Again an amazing purchase I made in second year. Everyone in my house ended up using it! Endless possibilities for fillings and great for helping with a hangover. 

• Saucepans - One large and one small is enough

• Colander

• Sieve

• Frying pan

• Roasting Dish

• Baking tray

• Cupcake tray/Cake tin

• Tin opener

• Corkscrew / Bottle opener

• Vegetable peeler

• Cheese grater - I stand by my comment that this style of cheese grater is the best thing known to man. 

• Wooden spoon

• Spatular

• Whisk

• Masher

• Microwaveable bowl

• Measuring jug

• Mixing Bowl

• Scales

• Chopping knives

• Chopping boards

• Egg cup 

• Tupperware

• Travel Mug

• Refillable Water Bottle 

• Tin foil / Beeswax Wraps 

• Bin bags

• Drying Rack

• Cleaning products - You'll need all this when it comes to inspections:

              -Bleach
              -Dettol
              -Anti-bacterial wipes
              -Multi-surface cleaner
              - Cif Perfect Finish - great for bathroom grout 

• Washing up liquid

• Sponges

• Tea towels

• Oven Gloves

• Recipe Book - My mum wrote down the recipes for some of my favourite meals at home so I could recreate them. Alternatively, start a board on Pinterest for some meal inspiration now - it gets boring thinking of new meals every week. 

Bathroom

• Towels - Hand and Bath Towels. Again don't forget spares for when the others are in the wash and you have friends to stay. 

• Skin Care - Cleanser, moisturiser, make up remover

• Make Up 

• Hair care - Shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo etc

• Hair accessories - Hair ties etc

• Hair dryer

• Straighteners/Curlers

• Shower gel/soap

• Hand wash

• Razor and shaving cream

• Deodorant

• Tooth Brush

• Tooth Paste

• Mouth Wash

• Floss

• Retainer

• 'Monthly Essentials' - Pads, Tampons, whatever your personal preference

• Manicure set

• Glasses/contact lenses

• Bathmat 

• Toilet Roll - Bring as many of those jumbo packs as you can

• Medication

• Painkillers

• Cold/Flu stuff  - Freshers Flu will get you.

• Antihistamines

• Plasters

• Gaviscon

Lectures

Buy all the stationery you need in one place HERE

• Pens and Pencils

• Sharpies

• Highlighters

• Pen pot

• Eraser

• Ruler

• Pencil sharpener

• Drawing pins

• Paper clips

• Stapler

• Hole punch

• Cellotape

• String

• Blu-tac

• Scissors

• Storage boxes - I keep all my stationary in a storage tower

• Magazine files - I use these to organise all my work for each module

• University Books - But don't rush out to buy the books on your book list. Chances are they'll be in the library, save yourself the money.

• Notebooks

• Diary

• Note Cards

• Post it notes

• Page markers 

• Envelopes

• Stamps

• Laptop

• iPad - Obviously not essential

• Kindle - I put pdf versions of my module guides on mine

• Dictaphone - Perfect for recording 9am lectures when you're half asleep or just use your phone. If you want to splash out have a look at Livescribe.

• Memory stick

• Headphones

• Printer, paper and Ink - 100% worth buying a printer, it will save you money on printing at the library. 

• Calculator -  Even if you're not doing maths!

• Spare batteries

Extras

• Passport and Driving License 

• Enrolment Documents - Read your information pack carefully

• National Insurance Number - If you get a job you don't want to be caught out if you've left yours at home.

• Student Finance Information - Even if you don't need it, it's nice to see when you're getting your next bit of loan through.

• Railcard  - Lifesaver! I got my railcard free with a Natwest student account but you can also buy them here. I've saved so much money on my 200mile+ journeys.

• Washing Powder 

• Fabric Softener

• Change for washing machines - Best to keep some change aside for this, that way you can't spend all your change on nights out.

• Safety Pins

• Sewing Kit

• Screwdriver - You won't believe how many times I've had to use a screwdriver in 3 years

• Playing Cards 

• Umbrella

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