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Ideas thread for what to take/not take to Uni.......

424 replies

MissMarplesBloomers · 17/08/2013 11:37

We have found already that the student forum on the Warwick Uni website has been a valuabel resource.

Also advice from past students on here & other friends so thought I'd share a few "ooh ...good tip" moments that we've already had as the lists are mounting up!!

-Keep stuff to take to a minimum, check the list of stuff provided first or else the kitchens end up with 8/10 sets of everything by the end of first week.

-ditto for groceries, stick to dry/tins so tehy last longer & the shared cupboard in the kitchen/fridge shelf may not be that big!

  • plain white china/crocks can be muddled/lost/appropriated with all the other IKEA stuff in the kitchen, a couple of granny's patterned plates will stand out as yours & can be found cheaply in charity shops. Ditto cutlery. Then no biggy if it doesn't come home at end of term.


-some halls provide linen/bedding but having your own from home helps with the settling in. Eg DD is taking her double duvet & own covers as that is snuggly on a single bed.

-lots of pound coins for laundry & buses.

-Double up the amount of underwear you pack, you'll be too busy the first week to do washing!

Loads more I'm sure, all little things but useful!

Please share your top tips
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Chivetalking · 17/08/2013 11:52

Old or inexpensive towels.

All of mine have returned home grey Grin

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2013 11:54

I had a massive thread on this a while back. Will try to find it.

Liking the granny's plates tip.

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MissMarplesBloomers · 17/08/2013 12:06

Chive yes I guess all the stuff goes in together wash wise....good one!

Remus thanks guessed it had been done before by all you old seasoned hands! Grin

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2013 12:09

I'm not old seasoned - dd1 is off this year. I was just getting into a bit of an early panic a while back! Hang on - will search.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2013 12:10
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ZombiesAteMyBigToe · 17/08/2013 12:13

Bottle of wine etc for first few evenings/nights bonding

The tumble dryers in my halls only took twenty pences

I had a toastie maker hidden away in my room for emergency meals.

Big towels that cover you. In the halls I was in we had to walk quite a way to the shower room, past one of the study rooms. If we got locked out we had to walk to another floor to get the pass key.

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ZombiesAteMyBigToe · 17/08/2013 12:15

Oh and your own tin opener that you never let out of your sight. I 'lost' four in my first year.

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NoComet · 17/08/2013 12:15

Yes nothing white, our collage washers were so full of indigo from jeans, nothing stayed white.

Nothing really valuable, except the inevitable lap top, until you have seen how secure your accommodation is and how nice your flat mates are.

My first lot ran total open house, my second lot were far more sensible.

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PeerMon · 17/08/2013 12:16

Don't bother with a kettle or toaster.

Airers to dry clothes on can be good.

Don't take loads of pound coins, you can always get pound coins and they may just get lost or stolen.

A couple of wide, low cardboard boxes from the fruit aisle at the supermarket can be filled with tins, pasta etc and slid under the bed.

Some cupboards in shared kitchens have a ring for you to padlock it.

Take a table lamp for room, the strip lights can be a bit harsh and unwelcoming.

Prop open your room door as you are unpacking and settling in so you can see and meet yor new housemates when they arrive.

Don't stock up loads if portions of bolognaise, cottage pie etc for freezing until you know how much freezer space you will have.

If shared bathroom, take a non slip mat to put down in the shower, and flip flops to wear into the bathroom.

Take ear plugs!

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PeerMon · 17/08/2013 12:20

I agree re nothing valuable!

Buy plastic glasses so they don't smash when dropped.

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MissMarplesBloomers · 17/08/2013 12:30

Remus oops apologies - I've seen so many good bits of advice recently I can't remember from whom & when! Great link.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2013 12:32

No prob. Thanks for starting this. I'm taking notes!

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MissMarplesBloomers · 17/08/2013 12:33

Aha good point about the coinage!

DD doesn't drink (yet!) but she thought some of her yummyhome made brownies might break the ice!

SHe'd love to be a party animal but rarely stays up beyond midnight & just can't abide the taste of alcohol. I'm sure she'll find some horrible studenty drink eventually!

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fussychica · 17/08/2013 12:43

We did a couple of fun things - a framed £20 note with a hammer saying break glass in case of emergency - can't believe DS still has it in tact 2 years on!
Also did a welcome/emergency box containing pants with a sign saying "if you need these it's time to do some washing", paper plates ditto but do the washing up, condoms, earplugs, energy sweets, plasters, painkillers, batteries, bottle opener/corkscrew etc

Might sound a bit mad but he loved it and all his mates thought it was a hoot.
Agree re freezer DS had very limited space in hall.

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TheWoollybacksWife · 17/08/2013 12:49

We bought DD1 a kensington lock for her laptop. It has a bit that plugs into the laptop and the cord is doubled round itself and passes through a convenient cable hole in her desk for added security.

DD1 uses one of the big "Bags for Life" from Sports Direct as her dirty laundry bag. It sits in the bottom of her wardrobe and she chucks her dirt stuff in as she goes along.

Don't forget coat-hangers.

Hat, scarf and gloves - it may be mild when they go away but will get chilly soon. Same with an umbrella.

Off out yo taxi DD2 about. If I think of anything else I'll come back. Grin

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MissMarplesBloomers · 17/08/2013 13:33

fussychica yes I have started her "emergency box" her DAunt works as a HV & has loads of family planning goodies to embarrass her with!!

Woolyback all good stuff....keep it coming!

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TheWoollybacksWife · 17/08/2013 14:01

DD1's local supermarket is Asda so I gave her a parent/student card. She spends on the student half of it and I top up the parent part of it. Obviously there is no guarantee that she wasn't spending it all on booze and Pringles Grin but she was in catered halls last year so I only had to put money on it about twice a term.

I agree about the valuables. Her kindle and an unopened bottle of perfume were stolen from her room while she was downstairs packing up my DH's car at the end of term. Angry. All her flatmates had already gone home and the flat could only be unlocked with a key - the halls made enquiries but never found the culprit. I'm concerned for this year as we replaced the kindle and she will be taking it with her as loads of the books that have been recommend as supplementary reading for her course are free to download.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2013 14:08

One thing I know I'll do for dd1 is to get her a Starbucks card. She's a product of the coffee shop age I'm afraid, but I've told her she'll need to get used to using a flask to save money. So a card will keep her in lattes for a week or two anyway!

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MissMarplesBloomers · 17/08/2013 14:10

Aww bless her....My ExMil ( who is the LEAST clucky/spoiling of mothers) has presented DD with a bag of assorted mugs,cutlery,a grater, 2 new t-towels & a metal plate to start her off!!

She has also insisted on pating for some Cash's nametapes which she will sew on to the t-towels & towels, duvet covers etc, anything which might get "rehomed" in the laundry room!!! Makes her feel useful, so DD is being very patient with her!

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enormouse · 17/08/2013 14:16

Do an online shop to be delivered to the halls of residence/flat. Just basics and essentials.
Saves space in the car and saves you from doing a shop whilst your there.

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MissMarplesBloomers · 17/08/2013 14:18

I had thpught about that enormouse but some halls don't register with the supermarets apparently as they are not individual residences.

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JellicleCat · 17/08/2013 14:36

Watching with interest.

Have bought DD new towels as she wanted some in a bright colour to hide embarrassing leaks/drips when showering (she is in a mixed flat). Also bought her her own bath mat.

I have started an emergency box with things like plasters, pain killers, mini sewing kit and condoms. I will add ear plugs to my list.

We bought 2 patterned plates and a bowl so they don't get muddled up with everyone else's.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2013 14:39

We're paying for dd to have an en-suite, so she can flipping well have the oldest, tattiest towels we've got! :)

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inneedofrain · 17/08/2013 14:56

Trying to think back to my student days

Ok wamn dressing gown halls can be cold we used to live in big fleecy dressing gowns over our clothes!

Washing up bowl (great to fill with dirty plates extra and carry back to kitchen do washing up take back to room)

Warm soft socks nothing better than walm feet I used to wear then over "normal" socks when my feet where cold / wet

Eye mask and ear plugs (if your sharing a room and a light sleeper these are invaluable)

Freezer bags are great for storing things instead of Tupperware

Dark colour towels are great for hair dye/ time of the month issues

I'll keep thinking

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JellicleCat · 17/08/2013 15:19

I bought her a couple of those collapsible plastic crates from Tesco to transport things in. Thought they would collapse down to fit under her bed when she is not using them, but they could also be used for bookcases, low table, washing basket etc etc.

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