Halls or home: what you'll need for uni life

You have just a few short weeks to go until you start university! And whether you’re moving into halls, private rented accommodation, or commuting from home, we’ve got the vital list of things you’ll need to make your life easy. If you're still unsure about where you'll be living, check out our article on choosing student accommodation.

Essential things every student needs

Now, this list may sound obvious, but when you already have a million and one things to think about, it might be helpful to make that checklist so you can be relaxed and focussed for when you start your studies.

Important documents

When you first go into university, one of the first things you’ll need to do is enrol, and your uni will tell you what you’ll need to bring for this, from ID to medical info. Just remember to pack them before you move into halls or make your way from home on your first day!

Textbooks and course materials

You may have already been given a reading list before starting your course. It’s always great to get lovely fresh new books, but they can be pricey and you may only need them for a couple of years, so always look for second-hand ones, either from Amazon or eBay, or maybe your uni can help you get them from previous students. Being prepared always helps with those first day nerves too.

Check if you need other special items for your course such as calculators, or sketch books. And having a good old fashion notebook and pen is always useful whatever course you do!

Electronic items

Make sure you have your charger with you, especially if you’re commuting. You may have had a long day of checking lesson plans on your uni app and find you’ve run out of battery before you travel back to halls or to home. Don’t get caught out - you can always charge up in the library or café on campus. Getting a power bank is always useful and helps you to charge on the go.

If you don’t already have a laptop or tablet, don’t feel pressure to invest in one. If you can, its always helpful as you’ll want to be able to write essays from the comfort of your room, but don’t forget most unis also offer laptop loans from the library, so you can use one for free.

Commuting essentials

Whether you are commuting from halls or home, it’s important to make your commute as easy as possible. Having a good bag that can hold everything you need safely goes without saying (and who doesn’t like a good bag!). Also, making sure you have a water bottle, and your travelcard is important so you can get from A to B without hassle and on-budget, so you can save on fares and not have to keep buying drinks on the go.

Oh and snacks! It’s always nice buying food on campus when they have so many lovely options, but budgeting can be tough as a student, so being prepared with lunch and snacks before you start your day can help make your budget go further and keep you on track for nutrition. But who’s to say you can’t treat yourself to a sausage roll on campus from time to time!

Checklist for private accommodation or halls

So you’ve got your accommodation booked and now you need everything to live your independent lifestyle. You’ll need all those practical things to make your life easy, as well as make your new home cosy and personal. Here's a list of a few useful things to take with you.

• Plates
• Bowls
• Cutlery
• Chopping board
• Knives
• Wooden spoons
• Spatula
• Frying pan
• Saucepan
• Bottle opener
• Tin opener
• Mugs
• Glasses
• Measuring jug

Kitchen essentials

You may just think you need a couple if things but it’s surprising what adds up when you make that checklist! It's worth check what your halls already supply, as you may not need appliances like toasters and kettles, especially if you have a shared kitchen.

Cupboard essentials

Now is your chance to try out those recipes you always to, but you’ll at least need some essentials to get you through the most basic of meals.

• Salt
• Pepper
• Herbs/spices
• Condiments like mayo and ketchup
• Garlic
• Pasta
• Rice
• Tinned soup
• Tinned tomatoes
• Packets of noodles
• Tea/coffee
• Sugar

Room essentials

• Duvet and bedding. Having a cosy bed that’s in your own style is great for making your room your sanctuary.
• Cleaning essentials. Unfortunately, there’s no cleaning fairy in uni halls, so you’ll need to take these yourself! Having a few things like washing up liquid, sponges, dusters, a laundry basket, and bathroom cleaning supplies if you have an en-suite, will all help to keep things fresh.
• Clothes airer. Many uni halls provide free use of the washers and dryers, but if not, this helps if you want to save money on drying your clothes.
• Room decorations. Pictures, fairy lights, photo frames, pillows – anything to make your room yours. We covered how to decorate your room, so take a look here for some ideas.
• Electronics can be essential to keep you entertained, connected and comfortable. Whether you’re bringing a small TV, a PlayStation or extra lights, you might also want extension leads to accommodate all your extras. (Please make sure you don't overload them and try to get them PAT tested before using them in halls.)