First child off to uni accommodation - what do we need?

Don't take too much but take more than one of plates, glasses etc.
I've had two at university both annoyed by housemates with only one of everything that they were too lazy to wash so just used other people's stuff.
Mine didn't have anything labelled and neither did they have anything taken, just used and unwashed.
They've always clubbed together with the others for things like milk, bread, bin bags etc. They haven't needed kettles and toasters in halls or houses but they have all chipped in for air fryers and in one case a TV for the living room.

A good quality padded mattress protector. When I was in halls mattresses had this ghastly plastic coating on them. Even if that’s not the case where your dc is, it would add more comfort to what will otherwise more than likely not be the best quality mattress.

There's no point in marking anything. Either people will be considerate and not break/lose/steal things and leave everything dirty (in which case, does it really matter if they use your student's plate?) or they won't (and a name on the bottom won't make any difference).

Definitely get a bath/shower caddy or giant toiletry bag. ds has this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SKFK27T/?coliid=I3D40ZRCIZT73F&colid=3A1IJ3PVN3A3R&psc=1&ref_=_sed_dp. It fits everything and it's very handy for trips home as well.

Don't buy too much in advance. Let your student wait and see what everyone else brings.

I was going to start a thread too. DS has had a gap year so has had plenty of useful advice from friends who have been at uni for a year.
DS has suggested IKEA, they do a box of stuff for students.
A friend has suggested a mattress topper and sandwich toaster.
DS has applied to halls with catering and without, he will hear this month where he will be so we can work out what he will need.
DS is doing a sports related degree so I will mostly be buying sports socks so he has a months supply.
And a clothes airer to dry clothes, apparently the laundry arrangements are pretty crap.
I’m currently researching transport, bus passes ( discount ). I will leave it to DS to apply for them.
I have to say that gap year and having a firm unconditional place makes life so much easier.

Get a china marker to name plates, bowl and cups. Underneath, it's discrete.
A big toilet caddy to go to and from the shower room. Don't leave your toothbrish anywhere, some one will use it for something gross.
Take any good sharp knives back to his room or they will disappear.

I had a friend who kept their milk in the communal fridge in a rinsed-out prune juice carton to stop people stealing it 😆

Basically don’t put anything communally if you have any sense of hygiene… or that you’d be sad if it got used up, broken,lost, stolen etc. One year I was stuck with a disgusting slob who left cigarette ashes in the sink, another time urinated in the kitchen sink inaccurately and vomited on the bathroom floor then used someone else’s toothbrush. Amongst other behaviours.

Also buy them a bottle of bleach and some anti bac surface spray and cloths.

I'd recommend a little bath caddy thing to put their shower gel, sponge, shampoo etc in and is easily carried back and forth. Depending who they live with they might be happy to leave it in there and there will probably be room; but it was a no from me!

I'd get some plates and cups but wait to see on the utensils and pans front- if they have a chat group already best to club together and buy a cheap set imo, no kitchen needs x number of each thing, taking decent ones as well often leads to arguments if someone uses it and doesn't wash it for example. Can always get next day delivery or head into town in the first few days if anything is missing, just don't spend loads unnecessarily! Or just buy cheap, I got everything from IKEA for under a tenner.

If you are on Facebook you could join the WIWIKAU Facebook group. In amongst the bonkers posts there are some really useful ones. They also have a list of what to take to university.

You might like to ask this thread to be moved to the Higher Education topic.

Good luck to your young person.

Just get cheap and cheerful stuff for the kitchen so it's less likely to go missing. I wouldn't bother labelling it.

Don't sweat the small stuff. They'll figure out where to store their toothbrush. Get them to write a list of what they will need. If something is forgotten they can get it there.

Goodness don't name their stuff if you want them to fit in. They can probably decide themselves where they'd like to keep their toothbrush.

I get that this is difficult to navigate because it feels like an extension of sending them off to a new school buy you really have to let them sort this out themselves. Google or ask friends, find out and buy when they get there... whatever. But dont do it for them.

On the infamous Facebook page, indeed so much of it, the language is telling. 'We've applied to xxxx University' etc. There was one mum this morning who had been emailing the uni for information regarding drop off/enrollment. Very cringe and over stepping.

I was just about to start this thread 😅so following with interest. (En-suite, but otherwise the same setup).