What to take to Halls of Residence?

[Christmasmcchristmasface]

My eldest son has secured his place at Uni for September and has received confirmation of his place in the Halls of Residence.

What are your top tips of what to bring to make his life easier and comfy.

If it helps he will be at University of Ulster Magee which is about 90 miles away and he is initially planning to travel home most weekends (I think this will change when he settles).

If anyone knows the area and has any insider info it would also be appreciated.

It really depends on whether he'll be self catering or not.

Excellent point!!
He will be self catered

A doorstop so he can prop his door open and be sociable until he’s made friends.

A 4-socket extension block. Never enough power sockets!

Nice bedding.
Hangover remedies.
Laptop.
That’ll probably do it!

Nothing massive that fills the car! It's much easier to buy buy items like clothes airers and rugs when you get there. Most rooms are nice and up date date these days so probably stuff to make it feel more like his own space - posters if allowed, a nice duvet cover.

A trip to IKEA is fun to stock up on plates, mugs, pans, chopping board, decent chopping knives etc. A corkscrew/ bottle opener might make him popular if others in his hall have forgotten them.

Washing up liquid, mug, kettle etc Washing powder for launderette
Sewing kit, nail clippers, scissors, elastoplast,

Check what's provided and allowed first as it varies.
However DD's essentials were:
Doorstop,
Suction bathroom shelves from IKEA (she has an en suite)
a small billy bookcase
Hang up mirror
Hang up shelf (those fabric ones that go in the wardrobe)
Lamp
Mattress topper
Bottle opener
Medicines
Chocolates and drinks to share on the first night.

A LOT of families over pack.

Remember that in most halls, students will get one cupboard (maybe a double), and either one, or 1/2 shelf in a fridge.

This is for all food and all pots and pans and things like coffee and spices and ketchup, etc etc
They only need a couple of plates, a bowl and a mug or two / a glass or two. NOT a full set.
Some sort of wok or frying pan generally gets well used.

Most rooms don't have enough sockets so a 4/6 gang extn is useful
A doorstop
A bucket (doubles up for sick and for soaking stains off clothes)

An airer is useful - esp once they find out how expensive laundry is - BUT bulky to pack and not usually needed in the first week so I'd order one once they are in and either get it delivered or get them to pick up from click and collect at a local Argos type shop.

Some sort of support pillow / big cushion as they spend half their lives sitting on bed which isn't very comfy without something to lean on. (ditto for click and collect vs space in car)

PS I would REALLY encourage him to stay at university at weekends for first couple of months as friendships form.

No one will stay weekends at Magee. 😂😂😂

Duvet and pillows coz the uni ones are shite.

Find out what the arrangement is for electric top ups (can’t remember if it’s keypad top up)

How will he be getting up and down at weekends? If it’s the bus (paddywagon) get him a decent traily case.

Often they put on a sale of things left behind for new students to buy in Freshers week.
Suggestions are vitamins plus cold and flu remedies
Mattress topper
Door stop as already mentioned and extension lead
Bin bags
Cleaning materials
Drawing pins for notice boards
Make sure he registers with university GP
I gave vouchers for supermarket so I knew they could buy food and essentials, there can be a lot of inital outlay
I also paid for first term of bus season ticket so knew they would be able to get transport at night even when broke
Plenty of hangers
Plasters
Batteries
Good student cookbook

I agree with the previous poster and I’d encourage him to stay for the first few weekends as that’s when friendships really form!
I always recommend this but a storage box for under his bed with some snacks/shelf stable food- like pot noodles, pasta, tuna, baked beans, tinned soup etc. Mainly incase he has to quarantine in his room you know he will always have food- or when money gets a bit tight at the end of the month and he’s spent all his money on nights out he can still feed himself!
Nice duvet, cover, pillows, sheets etc to make the room feel more like his own.
Headphones, laptop and an extension lead.
I wouldn’t take any big pieces, he can always buy bigger items when he’s moved in.

Toasty maker.

People recommending to stay for the first few weekends - have you experience of Northern Ireland universities? It’s very different to elsewhere.

Coat hangers
Laundry basket/container or bag to take washing to the laundry room (IKEA bags are good for this).
Photos to put on the wall/notice board to remind them of home.
Plants

Very basic cookware and crockery/cutlery, all his clothes and tech, toiletries, basic food supplies (tea, coffee, breakfast cereals and other stuff to get him through first few days).

Agree with encourage him to not come home every weekend.

@Lumpwoody

No one will stay weekends at Magee. 😂😂😂

Duvet and pillows coz the uni ones are shite.

Find out what the arrangement is for electric top ups (can’t remember if it’s keypad top up)

How will he be getting up and down at weekends? If it’s the bus (paddywagon) get him a decent traily case.

You have me a wee bit concerned - why does no one stay?? 🙈

Thank you all these are fab suggestions that I wouldn’t have though off

@Lumpwoody

People recommending to stay for the first few weekends - have you experience of Northern Ireland universities? It’s very different to elsewhere.

Well? Are you going to spill the beans or do we have to beg?

I’m really interested in how different NI universities are!

Nobody stays. The international students do but most students go home at the weekend. Thursday night is student night.

People recommending to stay for the first few weekends - have you experience of Northern Ireland universities? It’s very different to elsewhere.

No, I didn't realise there was a different culture there.
Do tell

Aww is that still a thing I was at Jordanstown in the 90’s but I was a weird student who was already engaged and we had bought our first house for the princely sum of £17000 so I didn’t really have the full student experience - but at least once a month I would have joined the ones from uni on a Thursday trip to the Bot, Manhattan etc 😂
When I think about it the car park at JTown was full of gold liners on a Friday

Uni rooms can be very bland and anonymous, so anything lightweight and colourful to give it a bit of colour and individuality is good, like bedding, a blanket, posters and a rug.

Do NOT take a toaster or kettle. There will be at least three that do.
I've heard of people finding their flatmates on Facebook to coordinate stuff like that.
Beware good knives as pp suggested, everyone else will borrow them and it's an annoyance if they aren't treated well or washed. Depends on his attitude!

Don't worry about packing everything. There are shops there and if he's home often then he can pick up smaller bits.

And please don't pack everything for him. There are good suggestions here to guide you but this is a step towards independence.

Good luck!