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What to take to university?

13 replies

Whatwouldnanado · 23/08/2021 08:31

Just that. What does she really need? Tips and advice around the standard list please. First year in catered halls. Also how much spending money a month? Thank you

OP posts:
Happy36 · 23/08/2021 08:39

Printer, ink cartridges, and paper
Extension câble
Door wedge
Kettle (if halls allow, some don't)
Couple of mugs, plates, bowls, basic cutlery for snacks and drinks
Washing up liquid, sponge, tea towels
Teabags etc. for hot drinks they like
Cereal or other easy snacks, in a Tupperware box
Supplies of toiletries
Duvet, pillows, bedding and towels
If shared bathroom, bathrobe and sliders with a sturdy/practical waterproof bag for toiletries
Coins if needed for the laundry
Good anglepoise style lamp if the room isn't already equipped with one

Wavypurple · 23/08/2021 08:44

As mentioned above, great list.

I would advise think about the things you/your child uses on a daily basis and go from there in terms of what to take(sorry if that sounds so obvious but it really helps me when packing for holidays etc.) Grin

One of my lovely, kind hearted relatives purchased all of my uni things, I graduated four years ago now and still haven’t used everything they got me! I genuinely think it’s better to go with a few less things than you might need a buy once you get there rather than to have massive amounts of excess with not much storage space.

DinkBoo · 23/08/2021 08:46

Fresher's flu survival kit Smile

Mydogisagentleman · 23/08/2021 08:47

Less than you think.
Our DD used her clothes airer the most

KaptainKaveman · 23/08/2021 08:50

I bought my dd a tall thin mirror from Dunelm for about a tenner - leans up against the wall and takes up no room. Not all rooms have mirrors!

I second the recommendation of sliders/flipflops for the showers - some students are manky and don't leave shower areas very clean. also a large-ish see through toiletries bag with a hanger/tab to hang on a hook for shower items - soap, shampoo, razor etc.

A small first aid box: I made up my own as the ones you buy have bandages and all sorts you won't need. I put in plenty of pain killers, small bottle of TCP, plasters, tubes of germolene, sudocreme, antiseptic wound wipes, sachets of dioralyte.

A towel rail/clothes airer. Again, you can get cheap ones from Dunelm/wilko. She can hang her wet towels on it after a shower, plus they fold away to stash in a corner/under the bed when not being used.

Stick on hooks. I bought several for dd and they were really useful, we put them on the back of her door, side of the cupboard etc.

If there is room in her accommodation, a thin coat stand. Dd didn't use hers as her room was farily big, but you can get all sorts hung up on one - coats, dressing gown, bags - bulky stuff. I got ours on amazon.

HTH Smile

Whiskers4 · 23/08/2021 09:28

My DD was in catered, so didn't need to worry about kitchen stuff. She bought a bedding package through the uni, the rest was basically clothes/towels and a few personal thing she wanted for her room - I did give her some paracetamol, snacks and condoms to be told the condoms were a waste of money as uni gave them a supply!

She went out the next day with her roommate and they both chose extras for their room.

Howshouldibehave · 23/08/2021 09:33

Also how much spending money a month?

This is a ‘piece of string’ question!

Some parents pay accommodation costs themselves and give their kids the maintenance loan to live off. Some people use the maintenance loan to pay the accommodation costs and give weekly/monthly money for food (I’ve seen a range from £25 a week to £600 a month). Some students get £9000 maintenance loan, others only get £4000. Some live in expensive cities, others don’t.

hocusspocuss · 23/08/2021 10:29

Paracetamol. Strepsils. Tissues. Vicks spray. Cheap thermometer. Lateral flow tests.

hellcatspangle · 23/08/2021 10:32

Mine managed on £50 a week but they had to buy food. I paid for their bus pass and they had savings from summer jobs to pay for extras like clothes/tickets etc.

BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 23/08/2021 10:37

We downloaded an editable list from Save The Student, found it quite useful as you can delete the stuff which isn’t applicable.
Uni checklist

Happy36 · 23/08/2021 11:29

I think even if catered she will need a couple of plates/bowls and knife/fork/spoon for making a snack, for example, if she misses a meal or is feeling unwell. Plus mug(s), teaspoons and kettle if she likes hot drinks (or cup a soup / instant noodles type of thing).

CraftyGin · 23/08/2021 11:39

My DD just took her clothes. I dropped her off at Kings Cross with her suitcase and backpack.

She had a linen pack delivered to her room, then picked up bits and pieces as she needed them.

Whatwouldnanado · 26/08/2021 19:17

Thank you everyone. We have paid everything, so fees, accommodation, travel card sorted. Just need to set up a monthly payment for food and other living expenses. She has holiday work and potential to work a bit while studying. Doesn't touch alcohol. Not a terribly expensive city. If you circumstances are similar how much do you give?

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