What do you Bring to University?

Starting university can be an exciting time. Before you know it time will be flying by and it will be time to pack the car up and drive to University. One of the main issues with the preparation of attending University, whichever one it may be, is actually thinking about and planning what you should actually take. This post will help to suggest ideas on what essentials should be packed.

Helpful Tricks

1. Always check the inventory before moving in. Some university accommodation may already provide some appliances for you, in which case you can save some money and room in the car as you won't need it. These may include kettles, toasters, microwaves, irons and ironing boards. However, don't assume they will provide it as they may not, which is why you should access the inventory list stating what you will and won't have.
2. Wait until you have moved in to buy small appliances. Most people assume that buying essentials for university months in advance is the best option. In some cases it is BUT small appliances can easily be bought in the city you are studying and waiting until you are all moved in can help avoid duplicate appliances which then have to be given back to parents and have to then sit unused in a storage room.
3. Communicate with flatmates. Some people are able to track down their future flatmates prior to moving in but even if not this links into the point above. One of your flatmates may move in and provide a toaster so you won't need to then go and buy one. Talking to them in advance, if you do manage to find them on facebook pages, can help plan who is bringing what and stop duplicates.
4. Only pack what you need. Moving to university can make you feel like you need to pack every thing you own. However, you don't need to pack every teddy you own, every single book you own or so on. Be picky on what you think you will use.
5. Bring toilet roll with you when you move in. You won't be provided with toilet roll and I guarantee someone will need to go to the toilet before you have the chance to pop to the nearest supermarket to get some so best bet is just bring some with you.
6. Check Storage. It is a good idea to check storage of your bed before hand, this can easily be achieved by asking the accommodation company in a simple email. Some beds will be hollow underneath so you can push stuff underneath, some will have you lift up your mattress and store stuff within the bed, or some won't have any storage at all. It is handy to know so you can store moving boxes or suitcases in here so they are out of the way.
7. Don't panic if your car looks like the image below. No matter how picky you are in what you pack you are pretty much guaranteed to fill the car with all your stuff. You are practically moving home so it is normal to have so much stuff.

What do I Bring?

Kitchen

• Frying Pan - A wok style frying pan will allow double use for simple bacon cooking but also cooking a curry.
• Saucepans - Two saucepans would be enough especially if wanting to live off pasta and sauce.
• Wooden Spoon
• Metal tongs - Ideal for grilling
• Cutlery - (Forks, Spoons, Teaspoons and Knives).Try get a set of matching so when you see it on the side you can recognise it amongst your flatmates belongings. I took 4 of each because I either had lost them or had people over and needed extra cutlery.
• Small Knife Set - Realistically you only need one large knife and one small rather than a whole knife block.
• Chopping Boards - Buying a set of colour coded chopping boards normally comes quite cheap but also helps keep track on what gets cut on what (e.g. red and green).
• Plates and Bowls - Again a set would be ideal so you remember easily which are yours. I took 2 small plates, 2 large plates and 2 cereal sized bowls.
• Baking Trays
• Can Opener - typically the supermarket saver cans won't have a ring pull.
• Desired Appliances - Taking advice from start of the post to wait until you're there to actually buy but these can include toasters and kettles. Also a recommended appliance is a George Forman Health grill. They are relatively small in size but are amazing for grilling bacon, chicken breasts, sandwiches and all sorts. Just make sure you clean it after use. 
• Utensil Pot - Not essential but I found it helpful for keeping all my stuff in one place especially when my accommodation didn't have little drawers so I stood it up in my cupboard and could take what I need when needed.
• Tea Towels - Having a couple is a good idea as student kitchens can become a bit disgusting after some time so washing them often is a good idea
• Oven Gloves - Don't risk using a tea towel as you will burn yourself no matter how much you convince yourself you won't.

Bathroom

• Towels  - Two of each size is ideal. I took 2 large and 2 hand size towels so that I could wash them and still have another set to use.
• Shower Mat - After stepping out the shower it is good to step out onto something, could just be an extra towel folded over.
• Toilet Brush
• Storage box of some sort - Handy for organising cleaning products and toiletries so they aren't laying about the place.

Bedroom

• Bedding - Duvet Cover, Pillow Covers
• Mattress Protector - You may be supplied one but even when I was I still put my own one on just to play it safe
• Pillows - take whatever suits your preference but make sure you check if you have a single or double bed to ensure you have the right amount for you.
• Airer / Clothes Horse - save money using the dryers and air dry your clothes.
• A Bin - Again this might be provided but handy to have one in your room so you don't have to go into the kitchen every time you have rubbish.
• Laundry Bag / Basket - Easy for chucking all dirty laundry into one place out of the way and keep track of when you need to do the laundry.
• Storage Box / Shoe Rack - Handy solution for storing shoes so they are out the way and kept tidy. Shoe racks are normally collapsible so easy to fit in the car.
• Hangers - Easily forgotten. You will have all your clothes with you so bring hangers so they can be easily kept in the wardrobe.
• Suitcase - Handy for bringing all your clothes to uni with you but also handy when popping home for the weekend.
• Desk Lamps - Lamps aren't provided normally lights are overhead or built into the wall so these can be handy. Wilkos lamps tend to have student friendly prices so are a good place to buy these from.
• Extension Plug Cables - Often there won't be many plug sockets or they won't be in the best of places so an extension plug lead is handy.

This isn't an exclusive list of only things you should take or even a full list. It is a list of suggested items recommended by a current student.