DS off to uni - what does he need

[Pamelaaa]

So as the title says DS is off in the middle of September after successful results today. He has got a room in halls with a shared kitchen etc. So I am now trying to think about what he will need to take. Can anyone offer any advice with the list? Please include the basic and the obvious as am not sure where to start.

Also is there anything we need to find out about with regards the accommodation and what is covered?

Thanks everyone.

Forgot to say if you can make recommendations about places to purchase items as well that would be really helpful too.

Thanks

I saw in ikea they're doing a kitchen starter pack which looked perfect for students! I'd start there 😄

We are in the same situation. Ds's Uni ( Solent) have given guidance - kettle, toaster, crockery, cutlery, tea towels, towels, duvet, pillows , toilet roll, cleaning products (!!! ), washing powder, padlocks for kitchen food cupboard to prevent food being stolen. I think I will send him with an iron too as he is hoping to get a bar job and may need to iron the occasional shirt. I'm hoping an ironing board is provided. I have also purchased pizza tray and baking tray and sandwich toaster. We are not bothering with kettle and toaster as Ds does not have hot drinks.

Most accommodation is a bed and a desk
So bedding
Pots/pans (don’t buy loads)
Cutlery
Utensils

Then things like stationary and books he’ll need for his course

Maybe a few home touches too like plants/cushions/photos

Just to add I got most of it in the Asda online home sale - all very cheap, and crockery and stuff from Wilko's as can be bought individually. I just got a couple of plates, cereal bowl and 2 glasses.

Worth checking - some universities won’t allow toasters etc in halls which is bizarre as they’re fine for people to have hair straighteners!

Congratulations to your DS...very exciting!

I bought myself new kitchen bits and DC used cast offs from here and grandparent's kitchens

Thanks they are some good starts. Uni hasn’t yet given any guidance but hopefully they will. Am conscious that as it’s a shared kitchen that they could end up with 10 toasters and kettles.

Hadn’t thought about padlock for food cupboard.

Check to see if there’s a Facebook group or equivalent for his halls. If he can get in touch with the other people in his flat they can decide who is bringing what. Less is more, he can always go shopping once he knows what he needs. The Ikea starter sets are brilliant but you don’t need one each!!

Bottle of jaegermeister
Shot glasses
Pint glasses
Beer, cider and blackcurrant squash to go in said pint glasses
Tins of beans
Many many many bog rolls
Shake n vac
Pot noodles

Stationery - envelopes, stamps, post it notes, plastic wallets, lever arch files, highlighters (plus the basic pens, pencils, calculator, ruler, anything subject specific)

Dont forget Passport or at least photocopy, driving licence, NI number, record of last 3 years addresses if not the same, bank account details. University registration and the multiple things you have to sign up for can ask for a combination of the above.

Does uni provided bedding? bedlinen and towels, tea towels.
Is there a desklamp, pinboard, cable to connect laptop into the uni it system, waste bin, bathmat if ensuite, toothmug?
What kitchen facilities are there? Electricals tend to be limited so they provide kettle, toaster, microwave and fridge. Plastic containers, plate/bowl/mug/glass, cutlery, utensils. Washing up liquid, sponges, antibac wipes.
Other than that study materials , clothes and any favourite items from home.

A basic tool kit
First aid kit inc alcaseltzer
Condoms
Extension lead as dorms tend to not have enough sockets
Towels
Kitchen stuff as mentioned
Can opener
Bottle opener
A crate of beer so he can make friends with his flatmates on the first night

Congratulations ! It's an exciting (and expensive time !!) The uni accommodation unit will send a list of essentials most as mentioned above. I would also start putting small change 20p/10p,s etc in a jar for the laundrette...most students don't use cash nowadays and it was my dd bugbear having to walk into town to buy something so she had change for her laundry....also a large bag for carrying said laundry is a must (blue ikea bag is ideal). Will post some more things that we/my dd found useful/waste of money.

wot welshweasel said at 12:45

Lots of shops cater to students: Asda, Tesco, Wilco, Ikea. I dare say there will be one of that ilk near his halls.

But also, part of the experience is getting there are realising there's no bin or lamp or whatever in your rooms and everyone doing a pilgrimage to wilkos. It's one of the first indipendant and adult things you have to do, so don't go mad.

This is what my DS took
2 x bed linen
2 x pillows
1 x duvet
Towels
Toilet rolls x 24
2 x saucepan
Frying pan
Kitchen knives
Kitchen utensils spatula etc
3 x plates
4 x mugs
2 x bowl
4 x cutlery set
2 x washing liquid
1 x tub washing tabs
1 x cafetière
Salt and pepper grinders
1 5l tub rice
1 x 5l tub pasta
24 x beans
6 x shower gel
1 big coffee tub
4 x toothpaste
2 x toothbrush
48 x bottle peroni
2 x cookbooks
Stationary
Laptop
Phone
Clothes
1 x pack condoms

Beware of getting everything from ikea because they all end up with the same kitchen utensils, plates etc ... try and get something a bit different . Dd just got 2 plates, dishes, glasses etc. this makes sure they wash up straight away! Definitely a blue ikea bag for lugging washing back from the laundry ..... these incidentally didn’t take cash at DD uni, you paid by phone.

Definitely get internet banking.
Finally, most importantly a bottle of vodka and the Cards Against Humanity game.

Just remembered...a mattress protector and mattress topper. Most beds in halls are singles, you may want to check - these are definitely needed!

All the sensible stuff will be listed-one thing DS took and needed straight away for Freshers Week was fancy dress.
He just took a Mr Incredible morph suit-
He also has a Superman T-shirt with cape for a more low key-can be worn with shorts.

We forgot towels! How basic is that 😶

On a similar thread a long time ago I saw someone suggested keeping their cooking utensils / pots & pans etc. In a big plastic storage box under their bed.

As their DC's stuff was used and left unwashed in the sink (constantly).

Also suggested was to buy recognisable items (in a bright colour perhaps) so it wasn't getting mixed up with other people's items in the communal kitchen.

I think a sandwich toaster / pizza tray and a cafetiere for coffee would be good additions .Also a small cheese grater.

When DS2 went I bought sheets, pilllow cases, duvet covers and towels in all the same (dark) colour so they could be chucked in the wash together.

The pans he used most were his stir fry pan and his griddle pan.

He didnt have a lot of storage in his room so we bought underbed storage boxes and one of those plastic drawer towers.

He needed a couple of really long extension leads.

We had to buy a printer and a bedside lamp.

Mattresses are generally crap so we bought a memory foam topper

I love that...'what does my DS need for uni'

And some of the answers include: condoms, shot glasses & a Mr incredible suit!

A recommendation we were given was a doorstop. It encouraged them to socialise in the early days, as others would be inclined to say hello or chat as they walked past an open door.

An extension cable is useful too.