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What To Take to University
This is a descriptive inventory of nearly everything you could possibly want to take to university with you. It has been compiled from suggestions given by people already at university to prospective students and freshers. Using this as a guide, rather than a prescriptive list, hopefully you shouldn't forget anything vital! (And if all else fails, you can always buy them when you get there!)
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 decide themselves if they will take it or not.
Documents
- Passport Photos (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
- National Insurance Number
- NHS Medical Card
- Details of your vaccination history
- Insurance Documents
- TV Licence
- 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
- Paying-In Book
- Bank or Building Society Details
- Travel Discount Cards (Young Person's Railcard etc)
- CV & References
Academic
- Reading List
- Academic Diary / Wall Planner / Calendar
- Relevant Old Text Books and Notes
- Dictionary
- Thesaurus
- GCSE and A-Level results/certificates. (Some Universities use these during your induction)
Stationery and Educational Equipment
Some universities may provide lamps/notice boards etc so buy these when you get there if they don't, and rather than carrying stationery with you it may be a better idea to buy it when you get there to save space/effort.
- Lamp
- Notice or Message Board
- Book Chair
- Lined Paper
- Printing Paper
- Jotter or Reporter Pad
- Pens
- Pencils
- Highlighters
- Permanent All-Surface Markers (useful for marking what's yours!)
- White Tack or Blu Tack
- Scissors
- Sellotape
- Hole Puncher
- Stapler
- Treasury Tags
- Paper Clips
- Post-it Notes or Flag Markers
- Sticky-back Labels
- Pins for sticking things to any cork boards provided
- Ruler(s)
- A4 Ring Binders or Lever Arch Folders
- Paper or Plastic Wallets
- Clipboard
- Envelopes & Stamps
- Rubbers
- Sharpener
Electrical Appliances
- Extension leads Get Surge protected ones to protect valuable equipment
- Computer/Laptop & charger
- USB Pen drive
- CD-R/RW for creating hard back ups
- External Harddrive
- Printer
- Calculator (for finances)
- Alarm Clock
- Mobile Phone & charger
- Landline Phone (check, some residences may provide this)
- CD-player
- Desk Fan
- Television (You will probably need to purchase a TV license).
- Camera
- Batteries and charger
- MP3 Player/IPod (with charger and USB connector)
- Speakers and Connector
- Headphones
- DVD Player
- Digibox
- Games consoles
- Hair Dryer
- Hair Straighteners / Curling Tongs
- Iron, perhaps an ironing board but some unis have one for students to use (Small tabletop one, perhaps? Or just use the table itself if its clean.)
Personal Items
- Nail Clippers
- Nail Scissors
- Tweezers
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush / Comb
- Razor
- Shaving Gel
- Cologne
- Body Spray
- Perfume
- Condoms/Femidoms
- Hair Dye
- Hair Products
- Jewellery Box
- Make-up
- Moisturiser
- Prescription Glasses/spare pair (and a copy of your prescription)
- Contacts & contacts solution
- Earplugs
First Aid Kit
- Prescription Medicines
- Contraception
- Multivitamins
- Painkillers
- Plasters
- Antiseptic Wipes
- Antiseptic Cream
- Blister Plasters
- Cold/Flu Remedy
- Throat Lozenges
- Pro-Plus
- Nytol
- Anti-allergy Tablets
- A Cold/Hot Pack
- Sanitary Towels/Tampons [For the females among us]
Clothing
- Dressing Gown
- Pyjamas
- Slippers
- Flip-flops (for communal showers/summer & 'beach' parties)
- Swimwear
- Normal, casual clothing
- Formal wear
- Gym or Sporting Clothes
- School Tie (for the school discos you're BOUND to have!)
- A warm coat, gloves, scarf, hat and a brolly (so many students pack in sunny September and get caught out/cold when Autumn/Winter starts to bite)
- Fancy Dress Items [seriously]
- Clean underwear
- Smart clothing and smart shoes suitable for interviews for part-time jobs
Bathroom Items
- Hand Towels
- Bath Towels
- Wash Bag
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Soap
- Shower gel
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Razor/epilator/hair removing equipment
- Shaving cream
- toilet roll
- Air freshener
- Anti-perspirant/deodorant.
Bedroom Items
Bedding
- Sheets
- Duvet/Quilt (alot of unis sell these on move-in day, but do check if they are provided, as they sometimes are!)
- Duvet/Quilt Cover
- Pillows
- Pillow Cases
- Mattress Protector [not only if you have incontinence issues, but if you have a drunken mishap during the night ;)]
- Blanket
Other Stuff
- Cushions so that your bed is both a bed and a sofa
- Cuddly toys :)
- Hot Waterbottle
- Sleeping Bag
- Inflatable Bed
- Airbed Pump
- Take something to eat for your first night's meal, as it might be a bit hectic.
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
- Mini-Fridge - beware: the vast majority of universities don't allow mini fridges in hall rooms (but if you make friends with the cleaners / bedders it shouldn't be an issue from past experience), if you're desperate to have cool drinks/milk in your room then it might be a better idea to invest in a cool box and some freezer packs
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Toasted Sandwich Maker
Equipment
- Small Casserole Dish
- Small Frying Pan
- Wok or Large Frying Pan (with lid)
- Large Saucepan (with lid)
- Small Saucepan (with lid)
- Tin Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Corkscrew
- Vegetable Peeler
- Cheese Grater
- Wooden Spoons or Spatulas
- Masher
- Microwavable Bowl
- Measuring Jug
- Sieve
- Colander
- Chopping Knives
- Chopping Board
- Lemon Squeezer
- Tupperware (plastic) tubs for storing left overs. Write something on the lids and the tubs to prevent them going missing
Other Kitchen Items
- Glasses (Wine Glasses, Shot Glasses, Pint Glasses, tumblers, high-ball)
- Cutlery (Knives, Forks, Spoons) Tip - Taking just 1 or 2 of everything will encourage you to wash them straight away
- Crockery (Plates, Bowls, Mugs, Cups)
- Apron
- Oven Glove
- Tea Towels
- Baking Foil
- Cling Film
- Sandwich Bags
- Marigolds - Washing up gloves
- Carbon Monoxide Tester
- Bin bags/black or white (plastic) sacks for rubbish and waste.
- Biscuit Tin
- Pizza slicer
- Apple Corer
- A set of Scales or Balances
Laundry and Housekeeping Items
- Febreze
- Washing Powder
- Fabric Softener
- Laundry Bag
- Clothes Horse
- Coat hangers
- Washing up Liquid
- Washing up Sponge/Cloth
- Kitchen Towel
- Toilet Roll
- Cleaning Equipment though often provided by universities
Decorative
- Posters often a stand at the freshers’ fair
- Photos
- Postcards
- Rug
- Throw
- Cushions
- Beanbag
- Fairy lights- these are sometimes not permitted in the University's Halls of Residence though as they are a fire hazard and safety hazard.
- Disco Balls
- Lava Lamps
- Plants
- Mood lights, can be an effective way of setting a romantic mood
- Air purifier thing, if you're like me and your room is always in a mess, it is possible to keep it smelling and feeling clean even though the cleaner last came over a month ago.
Miscellaneous
- Loose Change (for washing machines)
- Extra Storage – Boxes, Shelves etc
- Holdall or Weekend Bag
- Torch
- Pen Knife
- Safety Pins
- Small Sewing Kit
- Small Tool Kit
- Matches/Candles
- Watch - always good for suddenly realising you've got a lecture in 2 minutes!
- Fan
- Hooks/Sticky Hooks
- Door Wedge
- Tissues
- Lip Balm/ Chap Stick
- Board Games
- Cards
- Balls/ Frisbees
- Sports Equipment
- Bike - but not too expensive, and invest in a very good lock
- Musical instrument(s)
- Umbrella
- Tray
- Recipe Book
- Store Cupboard Ingredients (Oil, Spices, Tin and Packet Food)
- Alcohol. For the love of god take some wine and spirits and invite some neighbours over to make friends!!!
- Money!!
- Small safe for valuables / documents
See Also
