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Original poster

What to take to Halls of Residence?

105 replies

Christmasmcchristmasface · 10/08/2021 19:17

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.Smile

OP posts:
sandgrown · 11/08/2021 07:08

Reading all these comments reminds me of setting my DD up for uni and the fun we had. Quite disappointed DS has decided he does not want to go! Don’t forget a tin opener as lots of stuff from the cheap supermarkets does not have a ring pull.

Sparklingbrook · 11/08/2021 07:23

I didn't know about the not going home for weekends in NI thing. I'd feel a bit cheated paying for rent for 7 days and only getting 5 day's worth. Then paying travel home on top. Shock

Curledupdog · 11/08/2021 07:37

The tradition of going home for the weekend in NI was the reason I went to Uni in Scotland, I just couldn't deal with living out of a suitcase all year. But all my siblings did - they never really made much of an effort to make their digs look like home as they spend such little time there. Ties to home were very strong. They always arrived home with a pile of washing on a Fridays and raided the cupboards and fridge on the way out a Sunday night.

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Higher education
RampantIvy · 11/08/2021 07:40

@Mydogisagentleman

Deck of cards. Best thing I got DD last year, really useful for getting to know her hall mates
Or Cards Against Humanity Grin
Sparklingbrook · 11/08/2021 07:41

@Curledupdog

The tradition of going home for the weekend in NI was the reason I went to Uni in Scotland, I just couldn't deal with living out of a suitcase all year. But all my siblings did - they never really made much of an effort to make their digs look like home as they spend such little time there. Ties to home were very strong. They always arrived home with a pile of washing on a Fridays and raided the cupboards and fridge on the way out a Sunday night.
Is the rent a lot cheaper? DS's Uni accommodation (England) was ££££s and the thought of him being at home 2 nights a week would have made me Angry.
Deathraystare · 11/08/2021 07:50

Don't bring a 'beer fridge'. I don't think these are allowed. When my Godson was going to Uni he got a pamphlet of what not to take. His girlfriend had bought him one. His parents were going on about how great it was (having read the pamphlet). I then showed the the line about no fridge/minifridge!

gogohm · 11/08/2021 07:51

There should be a list on the university accommodation portal listing what they provide - this does vary. Basically he needs to take bedding, clothing, simple cooking equipment (as a minimum frying pan, couple of small saucepans, wooden spoon, tin opener) bottle opener, cutlery and crockery (2 sets is helpful), person hygiene things (towels, soap etc) and study equipment eg laptop, pens and paper.

Check to see if they provide a lamp, bin, if en-suite bathroom cleaning equipment, iron, kettle, toaster etc as some do.

If there's a decent supermarket nearby the halls it's helpful to pick up by car things like chopped tomatoes, pasta, oil, a few herbs&spices etc. It's also nice to write down a few simple recipes if they are a novice cook (and practice this month!)

They are all different in how much they take, one of mine filled our 7 seater with the back seat collapsed, the other fitted her stuff into the boot of my new midsized hatchback.

Curledupdog · 11/08/2021 07:53

@Sparklingbrook No the rent is the same - you don't have to go home, you still have your room available exclusively to you. People just go home and because so many people go home, even the ones who would chose not to, are left with little choice but to go home. Often there are a small group of students that stay - but it's not the done thing.

Bryonyshcmyony · 11/08/2021 07:53

Give him your old plates cutlery duvet covers etc and buy yourself the new stuff

Sparklingbrook · 11/08/2021 07:56

[quote Curledupdog]@Sparklingbrook No the rent is the same - you don't have to go home, you still have your room available exclusively to you. People just go home and because so many people go home, even the ones who would chose not to, are left with little choice but to go home. Often there are a small group of students that stay - but it's not the done thing.[/quote]
I had no idea. Pay a week's rent and only stay for 5 nights-seems insane to me.
DS stayed every weekend and worked on his social life from what I could gather. Grin Plus later in the course studied.

gogohm · 11/08/2021 07:58

@sandgrown

There's always a chance, one of mine is going at 22!

beigebrownblue · 11/08/2021 08:31

Make sure he doesn't share a room with anyone.

Sounds like a good idea in theory but it you don't get on with room mate can be a nightmare.

Check on the form, he can state health reasons single room needed.

Also some unis still have a post grad at the end of the corridor for pastoral support.

would suggest something like sandwich maker. Instant lure to make friends.

HighInTheHills · 11/08/2021 08:32

Don't bother with a laundry basket, just use a couple of big blue IKEA bags, much easier to carry/store and come in handy for a multitude of things!

sandgrown · 11/08/2021 08:33

@gogohm hopefully he may change his mind later but of course it’s his choice and on the plus side it will save us a lot of money !

amillionmenonmars · 11/08/2021 09:28

OP - if your DS is a gamer that will probably be his priority. A nice IKEA basket or two, or three to keep all of the controls and wires together. An extension cable to give him four additional sockets. A big cushion or bean bag as he is lto spend a lot of time sitting on his bed.

I also recommend checking out the wifi facilities. In his first year my DS needed to buy an ethernet cable as there was no wifi in his room. The studentroom is an excellent source of info - it has boards for individual unis and my ds found out lots about his course and his halls from fellow students posting on there. Some unis also have facebook type sites so that new students can say hi to one another before they even get to uni.

What an exciting time for everyone!!! I miss those days. Good luck to all freshers - what a challenging sixth form time they have all had. Here's to a better uni life!

Lumpwoody · 11/08/2021 09:40

Thanks to those who have backed me up that students go home at the weekends. I was feeling a bit lonely. 😁

Most local students from NI will go home at weekends. Thursday night is the night the students go out, and they then go to whatever classes on a Friday (with their cases) and go home straight from class.

The nightclub at the bottom of the road from Magee is gone now (happy memories of many a Thursday night) and the bunker bar is closed iirc.

Lumpwoody · 11/08/2021 09:42

The one weekend to stay (if it goes ahead) is Halloween weekend. Halloween in Derry/Londonderry is absolutely amazing.

Original poster
Christmasmcchristmasface · 11/08/2021 09:43

Thank you all so much these are fabulous ideas.

Toastie machine reminds me of a thread on here from a year or 2 back of things that could be made in one such as cake and omelettes

He is quite a decent cook at family staples as at the minute I would usually have it prepped and he would put the dinner on for me coming home from work - I really will miss him!! So he can make good curry, chilli and a roast

OP posts:
Bramshott · 11/08/2021 10:12

Possibly a silly question - but what do they take their stuff in?? DD1 has a large rollalong suitcase her grandparents gave her which she could pack her clothes and stuff in but then what does she do with it when it's unpacked?? Do unis have such a thing as a trunk room anymore??

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 11/08/2021 10:21

Both of mine bought memory foam mattress toppers which made their beds so much better. They don't have to be taken for day 1 but can Amazoned up to them later.

Lumpwoody · 11/08/2021 10:24

I think the suitcase just goes under the bed. Magee doesn’t have a trunk room that I’m aware of.

UpsyDaisysarmpit · 11/08/2021 10:26

Mini fridge if you can get hold of one. I remember my first year and I actually became anaemic due to not being able to trust my corridor to not steal the food from the communal fridge.
Kettle and tea and coffee making facilities for room. Toaster, egg cooker etc.
One good frying pan and one good saucepan. Two of everything cutlery and crockery, distinctive style so he knows which are his.
Dishwashing brush and liquid.
Salt, pepper, soy sauce, herbs, sauce etc - all the stuff you need to season with (but he wouldn't think to buy at the shop when he goes shopping for food, gets home and can't make a meal, if he's anything like me).
Kitchen knives, spatulas, etc. One good oven tray.
Hair stuff, Coat hangers, toiletries.
Nice bedding and duvet, extra pillows.

Auntieobem · 11/08/2021 10:27

Planning on taking any big suitcases etc back home with us and getting dd a weekend bag which she can use to bring stuff home any time she visits. We'll take them back at end of term time.

Can't believe my baby is going!

UpsyDaisysarmpit · 11/08/2021 10:27

Notice board and/or posters for the walls.

Lumpwoody · 11/08/2021 10:31

Some balls don’t allow posters because the blue tack marks the walls. There will usually be some sort of cork board.