Preparing to leave for university can be a daunting ask. All summer you’ve pushed it to the back of your mind and focused on enjoying that hot, bright round thing that occasionally makes itself known. But as the weeks drift away and the sun becomes even more of a stranger, you realise it’s time to take the next step…packing.
Practicalities
As university may be your first time living away from home, it can be difficult to gauge what you will need to take with you. Typically, a student’s room in halls will consist of a bed with a mattress, a wardrobe, a desk, a chest of draws, and a sink. As such, you will need to take various items to make the room a comfortable, and personal place to live for the year. Your university is likely to supply you with a recommended inventory, informing you what you will need for your student room. A mattress protector, bed-sheets and duvet cover and pillow cases will likely feature, as the bare basics of bedding are likely the limits of what will be provided. By taking two of each, you will be able to rotate them as one set goes in the wash. As well as bedding, a laundry basket will feature as another necessity, as the swarm of clothes on the floor can occasionally become overwhelming. Many students favour fold-down baskets, enabling ease of transport, and reducing the precious space it accommodates.
Cutlery, saucepans, a frying pan, cups, bowls, and plates are all important culinary items, whilst items such as kettles, irons, and toasters will likely need to be purchased. Some students may take some such items with them, whilst others will wait until they arrive and contribute some money to buy the items after arrival, to ensure there isn’t a ‘Kettles 6 – 0 Toasters’ scenario.
In addition to culinary and bedroom items, toiletries, including towels, will also be required. Such items include your typical holiday requirements, however having them for when you arrive can save an immediate trip to the shops.
Aside from the domestic requirements, typical essentials such as mobile phones, clothes (no shock there), pens and paper, ID (potentially including your Passport), and bank details should be remembered, along with any academic materials that may guide your progression into higher education
Creating a comfortable environment
Students will also often be advised, perhaps not by the halls of residence itself, to take a door-stop, creating social, open spaces. This comes in particularly handy in freshers’ week when you want to socialise with your flatmates. Some students may be reluctant to knock on their flatmates’ doors before they have grown familiar, in fear of intruding, thus door-stops can create a welcoming atmosphere. As far as other items for your room goes, it comes down largely to personal preference. Many students will personalise their room with photos, posters and memorabilia from home, which can be reassuring in moments of home-sickness. Lamps, televisions, iPod docks are amongst the electronics many students take with them, however taking a laptop or computer for work (and social) purposes is strongly advised.
