What does DC actually NEED for Uni (first year, hall hopefully)

[WhiteRosesAndCandles]

I don't want waste money and have things that will not be used. It it so easy to go overboard and I want to avoid that.

What what a great purchase, used over and over?

What stayed in the cupboard?

Any recommendations for things they won't have thought of? My BiL recommended coloured plates.

We have things they can take, like cups, glasses, cutlery etc. I was going to buy a duvet, pillow, sheets, covers. The only thing they really want is a whiteboard.

I went totally OTT when I packed my DD up! 2 saucepans, 2 plates, cutlery etc, anymore and it'll sit by the sink growing God knows what. I would recommend an extension lead with USB ports, a clothes airer, dirty laundry bag, basic cleaning supplies, bleach, washing tabs, washing up liquid, loo rolls and paracetamol!

So, I'm in a student place at the moment though as a summer teacher and they really are basic. My list would be...mattress protector, bedding, kettle, extension lead (plug sockets often on desk and nowhere near bed so reading at night is a pain), brush (we have a hoover , dustpan and brush,mop and bucket but no actual sweeping brush), tea towels, washing up stuff, basic kitchen stuff....peeler, knife, scissors, chopping board, etc etc. They will have access to plenty of shops so you could just buy them a gift card / directions to nearest Home Bargains / B&B / supermarket.
A shower storage thing would be a good idea, hooks to put over the door, coat hangers, bath mat....

I took my dd and helped her check in. Saw the accom and then went shopping to decorate it and buy kitchen equipment. no guessing needed.

I know this sounds really selfish, but I think my years of "helping" dd pack/plan for everything are done. Shops are available where she is (hopefully) going.

So, I will be getting her some new duvet covers etc, and looking out an old pan or two, but beyond that I am telling DD to start thinking about it now, maybe make a list if she wants us to buy stuff - or not..

Watching with interest though

and I also don't have to dwell on the coming empty nest

Make sure they do a basic first aid course before they go. Find out local services and emergency contacts. Inevitably somebody will drink too much, have an accident etc. Be the person who knows what to do.

A foam mattress topper is the thing that my dc have found most useful

My dd really liked her mattress topper too and said it made the mattress much more tolerable.

Is there a B&M near his uni so that he can top up if he needs stuff like a shoe rack or extension lead?

A bag or basket to take washing too and in/out of machine depending where the washing machines are situated.

A mattress topper is the only thing I'd say is essential.

She'll be taking my old plates etc and I will be buying myself new ones. Duvet covers etc from home.

Three of mine have done uni and none of them used the clothes airer in halls.

I'll probably give her a coffee subscription if her campus coffee shop accepts one

I got DD a kitchen drawer tin, medication, flu medication spare inhalers, then things like pins, sewing kit, screw drivers, cellotape, buttons, pegs, pin board take £1 coins - safety money £30 in £5 - scissors, pizza voucher, just little things that are handy at home they wouldn’t necessarily buy.

Assuming she's not self-catering:

Duvet/pillows/sheets etc (so she doesn't need to drag them backwards and forwards at holidays)
Mattress protector
Blanket to go over the top in case she's cold
Whiteboard/noticeboard and pens or pins whatever she wants
Fairy lights (apparently this is a staple)
Office chair if she has a bad back (uni ones are bad!)
Laundry bag (to carry it down to the laundrette)
And a first aid kit - depending on your dc, how accident-prone they are, and what they're doing: ibroprofen/paracetamol/plasters/anti-histamine, cream, cold pack
Plate/bowl/cutlery/a couple of mugs/glasses
A couple of Tupperware boxes for packed lunch/storage in fridge
Extension lead
Bedside light (may be one there)

If she's self catered:
Pan or two (not too big)
Maybe a frying pan if she likes that sort of food
Microwavable dish (and make sure the crockery is microwave safe having had a call about sparks from dd - which was the silver edging)
Cake/food tin
Oven tray
Freezer/fridge labels (dd liked coloured dots to put on her stuff, which are cheap and easy)
Blender if she likes smoothies

Really, the thing they'll will appreciate most is a mattress topper. Plus an extension cable.

They can work out for themselves anything else they need, and buy it.

Do you have Amazon Prime? Add ds as part of your household and he’ll get free delivery if he forgets things like spare chargers.

Apart from bedding and her own clothes, toiletries etc - a laptop? Folders, textbooks, pens?

Mattress topper.
Coloured plates.
Clothes airer.
First aid kit.
Big box of cleaning stuff.
White board.
Tupperware.
IKEA blue bag to double up as laundry basket / taking laundry to and from the laundrette.

Don’t take electrical items unless you know the halls allow them.

DS took a big batch of home made brownies as an ice breaker, and was promptly elected flat baker.

My tip would be to buy much less kitchen stuff than you think- just the basics- and give them the rest in cash so that they can buy it there once they have a better idea what life will be like and whether their flat is one where people would be up for sharing a colander etc. In DS's case, they ended up with 8 frying pans in the flat but no one had a tin opener 😂

One of those hooks you can put on the door to hang coats on, microwave soup cup, mattress protector, pin to put posters up, ikea bags for transporting stuff -(can be bought from Amazon)-extension cord, Costa gift card!

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/stuk-storage-with-7-compartments-white-grey-70370856/ I got DD this - halls normally have very limited storage space. Also a large bag to carry laundry to and fro, flip flops if shared bathroom, fairy lights/ plants/ posters/ photos to make room more homely, comfy pair of slippers, bedding, matress topper.

Pillow, mattress topper, bedding. First aid kit including thermometer. The sort of mini sewing kit you get in hotels. Stamps, but just a few. The sort of granny plates other people are less likely to pinch. More teaspoons than anyone can steal in a term. Several mugs. Coat hangars, there are never enough. At least one bottle opener and corkscrew. Laundry bag and popup airer. Folders for important documents. Transport their stuff in the sort of plastic box designed to fit under a bed and hopefully they can keep them there until they come back. Add spare black plastic sacks or the sort of bags you can vacuum pump for winter clothes, they will come home with a lot more than they start with. Door wedge for when newly arrived and sociable. Cake and biscuits. Bottle wine. Couple of cans of easy food, maybe chicken soup for the inevitable freshers flu. Details of nearest supermarket and shops selling basic household supplies.

Going shopping is a student bonding ritual. if you have supplied everything they may miss out.

There will be a list on the student room somewhere and it will be much more detailed than this. They dont need all of it. Make sure they know how to seek help, especially mental health services.

Electrical items often have to be checked and things like blenders may not be allowed, check before buying.

Great thread op and some fabulous suggestions !

My first DS went with everything, totally OTT. Second year, it was one plate, one glass etc.
Didn’t learn our lesson and DD went with one of everything too.
By next DD it was just a couple of pieces of crockery and cutlery. 4 wine glasses (they break).
Couple of mugs.
A table fan (halls are hot!).
Change of duvet, mattress protector, and sheets.
Towels.
Pillows.
One cleaning spray to cover all areas.
A saucepan and frying pan/griddle.
Fish slice.
Mattress topper, great shout.
Corkscrew, with bottle opener.
One good knife.
Not a lot else really.
Save your money.
Amazon or whatever is on hand if they discover they need something you haven’t thought of.
By second year they will sort themselves.

Your suggestions seem sensible.

A couple of saucepans and a baking tray/oven dish.
Corkscrew and tin-opener.
Washing-up liquid and pads.

My DD says her most precious things were
Favourite bowl/plate to eat from.
Duvet/Pillow from family bedroom to feel at home

I got my DD three of these. They doubled as packing boxes and as reasonably attractive storage while she was there. Second a mattress protector. I also got my DD a bedside table, a lamp, and a rug as halls were a bit industrial looking.

Check accommodation rules as most don’t allow anything to be nailed or even blu tacked to wall.

coat hangers
enough clothes so don’t have to do washing all time…washing machines are pay as you go and quite expensive.

mattress topper/protector

extension leads with usb chargers

even if in catered may need a few kitchen bits

Most halls provide a board that you can use pins on but do not allow anything to be put up on any other walls. Both my DCs took printed photos of friends and pets (not parents 🤣🤣)