Since my What to take to uni post has been pretty popular over on Pinterest lately, I thought I would re-write a basic list with some of the essential needs for starting University!

Ok, so the lovely corona may be putting a spanner in the works for people due to be starting university soon but, that aside, it’s a really exciting time. However, getting prepped for uni can be stressful in terms of what you need and mentally preparing yourself for a whole new life chapter you’re about to embark on. I know this time four years ago I was a bag of mixed emotions and I was frantically searching the web for what I needed so, I thought I would make a go-to run down a basic list of essential things you need when starting uni for any upcoming freshers out there. 

This is a little list I’ve put together from experience, I say little but it looks pretty long and daunting but I can assure you it isn’t! My best advice would be to prep early, get yourself a list in your notes and gradually start collecting bits and ticking things off. You’re more than likely not going to have everything already so it can begin to add up and get pricey if you panic buy all in one go – you’re also going to struggling to get things you need when every other student rushes out to get the same stuff! So, be mindful and be prepped! 

Bedroom 

• Obviously, pillows and duvet 
• Decorative pillows 
• 2x sets of bedding – You’ll really thank yourself if you get 2 because let me tell you, washing and drying your stuff in 1st year is a pain in the arse
• Decorations – Try to make it feel like a nice environment, it’s probably going to be a tiny room so make sure you make it look aesthetically pleasing for yourself! – plants are great, fairy lights, photos, posters/wall art frames and cute quotes
• Fragrance diffuser – make your room smell nice, for yourself, and for others! I love a good candle but these are banned in university halls.
• Extension cable – without a doubt, go grab one of these! Your room probably won’t have that many sockets and you’ll be wanting to charge your phone, laptop, have the TV, lamp on, dry your hair etc, its just a necessity. 
• Mirror & makeup organiser! If you’re a makeup fanatic, this is important, and if you’re anything like me, I like to have a nice set up because I enjoy sitting by myself doing my makeup etc (it’s basically a therapy session whilst listening to music) also, think about how bad your lighting is probably going to be so makeup lights are a good one. I also used a glass chopping board to put down when I was doing my makeup just so I wouldn’t stain the furniture (it was white) because you will get charged at the end of your tenancy!
• TV – (preference) you could potentially need an ariel but you won’t know until you get there 
• Bluetooth Speaker – Great to have one in your room, and it can be used in the kitchen for pres etc.
• Doorstop/screwdriver – It’s nice to keep your room open and to be social and most fresher halls come with fire doors so they’re really heavy, screwdrivers do the trick and this will probably come in handy! I used mine a fair bit for fairy lights, and also pranks (some of my housemates and I unscrewed someone’s bathroom door off as a prank once).
• Storage boxes – It’s good to just keep things in boxes under your bed etc e.g storing your towels and bedding, bags etc it’s also much easier to have these packed and ready so you can simply just put it away
• Hangers – Now, you might be thinking well duh, but you’ll be surprised about how many people forget
• Washing basket 
• Clothes dryer – You’ll need these to dry your clothes!
• Iron- You might want a little iron depending on what type of clothes you wear, I did use mine a fair bit, however, when I’m feeling lazy I do just use my GHD’s lol sorry not sorry 
• Any games you have – bring them, drinking games, board games, you name it -who doesn’t like a good game of monopoly 
• Bag to transport your washing to the laundry room – IKEA carry bags are ideal for this 
• Lamp – a nice essential for your room as you’re not always going to want the massive light on, I also had one near my mirror as a makeup light 
• Over the door mirrors are good as they save space and you can still see your whole outfit 
• Depending on the nature of your course, you might want a printer – Last-minute deadlines will creep up on you and you’ll have last-minute printing to do and it’s so much easier to have one in your room, rather than trek to the library at 8 am and be in a massive queue. 
• Rug – Again, makes your room more homely and nice to live in, it’s really key to enjoy the aesthetics in your room as this is where you’ll be sleeping and spending a lot of time remember 
• Keep a suitcase in your room for when you want to visit friends, go back home etc 
• Over the door hangers – These have been great for hanging up my dressing gown and robes
• Small bedroom bin 

Bathroom 

• Bathroom bin
• Towels – Again, I would recommend getting more than 2 towels, I had about 8 and it was so convenient because it’s really hard to wash and dry things the same day, or even in advance
• Smelly things to make your bathroom smell more pleasant  
• Storage for bathroom products 
• Check your accommodation, you may need things like loo roll holder, toilet plunger etc  
• Over the door hangers- to hang your towels! 

Kitchen

• Cutlery – Try to look for ones with a distinctive pattern on so you can tell yours apart from everyone else’s, trust me on this one 
• Plates and bowls – Again, distinctive patterns are key, if not, It’s a good tip to draw a coloured dot or something on the bottom so that you know it’s yours. You’ll be surprised as too much much of your stuff gets used from others, and some people don’t even know what’s theirs and what’s not. 
• Good pans 
• A good set of knives 
• Pizza cutter
• Chopping board
• Tea towels!! A key need and a frustrating need because everyone will likely use your tea towels and they will be disgusting.
• Calander
• Appliances of preference – George foreman/ toasted sandwich maker/ smoothie maker/ omelette maker 
• Cups/mugs – FYI these will get broken and lost 
• Spatula, burger flipper, pasta thing etc 
• Baking tray 
• Sliders – For walking around the kitchen floor, honestly, you cannot go in there barefoot
• Tubberware boxes – leftover pasta, pizza slices etc 
• Cleaning sponge 

As I said, this could look like a daunting list but collect things sparingly and you will be good to go! I really recommend shops like Primark, B&M, Home Bargains, The Range, Wilko, IKEA. Remember, this is a super exciting time! If you have any questions regarding uni etc then feel free to give me a message! 🙂

x Gem x

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