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Student life

Packing for uni


You’ve been accepted into uni, you’ve found out which halls you’re in and now it’s time to pack. It can be SO tricky to know what to take, especially as it’ll probably be your first time moving away from home on your own. It can also be super easy to over-pack (as well as leave items behind).

That’s why we’ve created this blog which contains of things you need (and don’t need!) for university.

What to take to university checklist

Because we know you’ll have a lot on your mind as you head to off to uni, we’ve created a printable uni packing checklist just for you. You can print out our handy university checklist and start ticking things off as you pack… from your cutlery set and laundry bag to your laptop charger and shower cap.

Download the uni packing checklist here!

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What else to pack for uni

As well as the above checklist of essential things for uni, here are a few other things you may not want to forget.

Face masks

With coronavirus restrictions in place across the world, a mask is one thing you probably won’t want to be without this freshers’. You can even spice things up by opting for a quirky mask (full of flowers or superheroes!). This can be a great way to find some common ground and make new friends – just make sure you wash fabric masks regularly.

Hand sanitiser

Following on from face masks, not much explanation is needed here. Make sure you’re keeping yourself safe by regularly cleaning your hands with antibacterial hand wash. And don’t forget to clean your phone every so often too!

Rubber gloves

Students aren’t exactly known for being the tidiest. So it’s best to bring a handy pair of rubber gloves with some cleaning solution for washing up.

Photographs

Your room is an area you’ll probably be spending a lot of your time in, so making sure it feels nice and homely will help to curb any home sickness you may experience. Putting up pictures of your family and friends is a great way to add personality and an element of homeliness to your room.

Thick skin

University will be a great learning curve for you, especially in facing different situations and solving problems. Things like being away from home, having to deal with deadlines, relationship issues or even dealing with mishaps can be made easier with a thick skin and a positive mentality.

A good relationship with your parent(s) or guardian

Don’t forget about your parents. Your first time away from home is also their first time away from you. Make time for a phone call, even if it’s just for 10 minutes, or set up a family WhatsApp group to stay in touch.

Backpacks

Backpacks are a great way to carry around all your books and supermarket shopping. Because no one enjoys lugging around a handful of plastic bags filled with heavy jars!

Laptop It’s often easier to work from home, especially if the library is full, closed or far away. Other gadgets such as tablets and kindles can be handy for reading articles and textbooks online.

Student insurance

It’s important to be prepared and protected for those unexpected moments. Getting a dedicated student insurance policy to cover your possessions and gadgets against damage or theft will give you added peace of mind.

Things you don’t need at uni

Getting ready for university is all fun and games until you have to actually pack. There’s nothing fun about sorting through all your belongings and figuring out what you need for an entire year. So here are 5 things you don’t need to take to uni with you.

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1. All of your clothes

It can be very tempting to empty your entire wardrobe into your luggage, just to be sure you have enough outfit choices. As a heads up, most university halls often don’t have generous wardrobe space. Plus, you’ll need some clothes to wear when you head home during reading weeks! So try not to pack everything.

2. An Iron

Most students would probably confirm that there are some appliances that student houses have way too many of. If possible, try and chat with your new flat mates beforehand and arrange for each of you to take different appliances that can be shared.

3. Everything but the kitchen sink

Basic kitchen appliances like kettles, toasters and microwaves might be provided in student halls or accommodation. Try to pack just the essentials, a couple of plates, some cutlery, the odd pan, and a mug. Your flat mates are bound to have brought some pots and pans with them too and there really is no need for five colanders!

4. All the books on your reading list

You will be provided with a list of book recommended for your course. Resist the urge to buy any of these before starting uni if possible. Not only are they often heavy and take up a lot of luggage space, they could also be a waste of money as you won’t need every single one of them. Wait until you’ve started your course and decide which books you absolutely need to purchase and which ones can be borrowed from the library.

5. A printer

Unless your course requires you to print a lot of material (most won’t), having your own printer can mean you’ll be bombarded with requests from friends asking if you could ‘just print one little page’ for them. The university’s library printers will be just as handy and often more cost effective. If you do run out of printer credits, buying more is still cheaper than getting your own ink cartridge.

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Preparing for uni

10 things to do to prepare for uni

Starting university can be both exciting and nerve-racking. Before you know it, it’ll be arrival day and it helps to be prepared. To get ready for the big day, we’ve put together a few useful tips to help things go smoothly.

From icebreakers, to what to do when you arrive, we’ve got it covered.

Download our handy student guide.

Read our disclaimer.