Pick something that's very 'you'
Choose some posters that really reflect your personality and tastes. Now is totally the time to pack your guitar, any interesting goodies from a gap year, your back issues of vogue - whatever makes you: you.
Pick something to help you join in
I recommend a door wedge, and a playlist of your favorite songs in the background. Don't worry about forgetting bits and pieces, everyone else will as well and you can all run to Tesco and grab the missing bits.Have a rule of thumb
Consider, have you used this item in the last six months? Would you miss it so much you;d have to buy another if you lost it. If not, I wouldn't pack it. You are on limited space when taking all your things in either the car or worse on a train - and anything you take, you have to bring home again. Including all the stuff you'll buy over the next year. Think minimalist.Bedroom
- Sheets, Pillowcases, Duvet covers- Rug
Kitchen
- Basic cutlery- Mugs and glasses
- Shot glasses
- Plates and bowls
- Sharp knife and chopping board
- Tea towel
- Microwavable dishes
- Corkscrew and bottle opener (x2)
- Washing powder
- Fabric Softener
- Febreeze
- Air Freshener
- Laundry bag
You may not need much else, depending upon whether you're in catered halls or not. Double check any lists the University sends you regarding cooking utensils.
Bathroom
- Every medicine you can think of.If you ask your parents to buy you anything before you head off to Uni, ask for a full medicine cabinet. The last thing anyone seems to have is plasters, Savlon and Vicks when you're dying from Fresher's flu. It's also hellish expensive and a walk to Boots is the last thing you want when ill.
- Shampoo, Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Cleanser and Moisturiser
- Tampons, Condoms etc.
- All your cosmetics
Boots and Superdrug tend to do 3 for 2 summer sales in the run up to students leaving for college - take advantage of it.
Consider going on some kind of contraceptive before you go, the Pill is a popular one. I know many a girl that accidentally didn't stay save during a drunk encounter. It may not protect you against STD's but it's a good back-up to have.
Office
- Passport&Passport photos- NHS Card
- National Insurance Number Card
- Exam certificates
- CVs
- Lots of paper
- Some more paper
- Printer
- Laptop
- USB Drives
- Files
- Pens, pencils, highlighters
- Diary/Planner
Misc.
- Playing cards
- Photos
- Loose change
- Torch
Clothes
To be quite honest, I'd take the lot. Anything you wouldn't normally wear will get used as fancy dress.If you still have loads, host a clothes swap party at the end of your first term. Everyone goes made with their student loan and will probably have a load of regrettable purchases to exchange before heading home the the holidays.
Even if you don't usually wear them, I know I don't - pack some decent night clothes. Seriously. Buy a conservative dressing gown and some slippers that you can passably wear outdoors. You will undoubtedly at some point be evicted from your bed at some mad time in the morning - and it will definitely be on the night you were too warm to bother with pajamas.
Expensive Items
Some people will say bring your tv, xbox, ipad whatever - because you'll need the entertainment. Other's will say that it's a bad idea because it'll distract you from your studies and is likely to get pinched. I'll leave this one up to you - but if it's bulky, it's better to take it to Uni with you now, when you have your parents car handy, than later when you're trying to lug things back on the train after a weekend visit.What NOT to bring
- An Iron and an Ironing Board. You will never iron your clothes, I can guarantee you that.- Kitchen appliances, mini fridges etc.
Coming up next// Something they don't teach you in school; How to get away with forbidden items in student halls.
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