Starting Uni Check List

[HÆLTHEPAIN]

Hi,

My daughter starts uni in Sept and I’ve been getting things ready bit by bit over the last 10 months or so, so as not to have to get it all in one go. I’ll post what I’ve already got but if anyone can think of anything I’ve forgotten, I’d be grateful for your input.

She’s in a flat of 6 and I know there’s the chance the others will have a lot of the same stuff but I’d rather her be prepared and they do all get their own cupboards and drawers in the kitchen anyway. They all have their own en suite and there’s a dishwasher. I’ve added two sets of bedding so one on and one in the wash/ready to go back on. Same with towels and bath mats.

She’ll also have her tv and laptop and then her own clothes and bits for her room to make it homely.

Here’s the list:

Kitchen
Air fryer
Frying pans
Saucepans
Plates/bowl set
Glasses
Mugs
Cutlery
Tea towels
Oven gloves
Chopping boards
Mixing bowl
Wooden spoons/spatula
Tongs/spoons (utensils)
Tin opener
Corkscrew/bottle opener
Sharp knives
Sieve
Pizza cutter
Dish cloths
Dish brush
Fairy liquid
Dishwasher tablets
Food bags
Cling film
Foil
Laundry liquid
Rubber gloves
Surface spray
Ringtons tea bags

Her room/bathroom
2 bath sheets
3 hand towels
2 bath mats
Loo cleaner
Loo roll
Duvet
Pillows
Mattress protector x 2
Bottom sheets x 2
Duvet sets x 2
First aid kit/plasters
Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, face washes, toothbrush and spare heads, deodrant, painkillers, inhalers, hand wash, razors, shave foam, hay fever tablets).
Coat hangers

We’ll be doing a food shop when we drop her off as well.

Let me know if I’ve forgotten anything!

Thank you!

Toilet brush
Soap for the ensuite

Check re the airfryer as some unis don’t allow them.

Second the air fryer if it's Uni owned accomodation

At least one 4-gang extension lead. Halls are often lacking in sockets.

Toasted sandwich maker so quick and easy snacks .

Also Tupperware for left over pasta bake and so on .

Clothes dryer too

Firstly get her making the list! It’s not your job.
Dds loved their mattress toppers and heated throws.
Stuff to personalise their room so cheap rug, fairy lights, hook on the door full length mirror.

Give them a budget to spend in B&M or the likes.

Thank you!

I’ll double check about the air fryer. I’ve also got a laundry basket and an airer for clothes which I’d forgotten to add.

Good thinking about the plugs/extensions

Baking tray?

Thank you.

We made the initial list together and I’ve just been adding things to our shopping and then ordering a couple of bigger things a month. She’s chosen it all though. Good idea about the B&M budget.

Check!

Condoms

Remember rooms aren’t very large. We had laundry bag rather than basket, so can squish down in wardrobe. Bedding wise I would have one protector rather than 2. What size bedding have you got?

Are saucepans etc suitable for induction hobs? With respect to plates etc we sent DC with only 2 of each as again space is limited in kitchen.

We put a selection of herbs and spices in small sealable bags to take up less space than jars.

A fan, rooms can be really hot

You won’t need a huge selection of pans etc. I would wait until you get there (or if DD gets on room group chat) before getting airfryer. If you are allowed to have them you might end up with 6!

Small lockable tin to put important documents in like passport

Set them up with Tesco club card etc. Some supermarkets have cards where you can load money onto student card

Washing up bowl, useful if other flatmates aren’t very hygienic (can also double up as sick bowl but will then need replacing!)

Thank you! Yes, it’s a laundry basket so foldable and squishable and could potentially go in the en suite. They’re gas hobs so they’re ok. The mattress protectors are only thin. The spare bedding and towels will go in a vacuum sealed under bed storage bag - the flats have a Henry so she can reseal. Good thinking about the fan.. she has one at home so she can take that.

We’re going with to help her unpack so I’ll see what can fit in in terms of plates etc. I just bought a set from M&S but they can come home if we struggle for space.

May sound random but a door wedge for when moving in.
If drying clothes in room, disposable dehumidifiers.
Over door coat hanger.
Radiator airers
Small bin for bathroom

Usually they have one under counter cupboard and one wall one, 1 shelf in fridge and 1 drawer in freezer (although DS had to share one) in the kitchen.

Take high shelf in fridge, then you don’t get drips from other student’s food!

We already have the air fryer - it’s our old one that’s still fine.. so we can just bring it home if there are duplicates.

She’s already on a chat group but no one has really posted/answered. We need a toaster and kettle too but I’m going to wait until we get there if she hasn’t heard from them beforehand - there’s an Argos not too far away.

Good thinking about the washing up bowl!

Thanks everyone!

When our daughter started university, we bought many items secondhand at charity shops and car boot sales. It was a lot cheaper this way and fun putting everything together. Certainly, items like plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery and some cooking implements can be better quality and more robust as well as cheaper than the cheap equivalents bought in B and M etc.

Everyone will use the air fryer and they won’t clean it
its not allowed in their rooms

That’s a great list apart from the air fryer
They will all use their own equipment. No sharing stuff bevause each is then o my responsible for cleaning their own items

Cleaning stuff for the en suite. Not all halls have cleaners in the student rooms, they do the communal areas.

Bin bags
Check if there is a full length mirror in the room/flat
Make up mirror
over door hangers to create more storage
Vitamins/Berrocca (they will get freshers flu)

Our halls provided mattress covers, bins, toilet brushes, black bags, airers (always left by previous occupants), toasters and kettles. Check before you go.

Many unis also do second hand sales in freshers week, as many students just leave their stuff and the unis collect them up and sell for charity.

Pizza cutter and mixing bowl wouldn't bother, but small baking dish a must for pasta bakes, and coffee pot for the stove if that's her thing.

Don't forget pins for pinboard. Extension cables, and bedside lamp.