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.

Money.

Trust me the other flatmates will bring stuff and the halls will have stuff. Give them the money to buy what they need when they need it rarther than guessing.

If the bathroom is shared, one of those mesh toilet bags with lots of pockets.

Some catered halls ask you to bring your own coffee mug to breakfast instead of using paper or plastic. They can be a talking point in the first days if you get a special one or two.

Gin and homemade brownies to make friends with on the first night

We need to be smart, this is a good idea in principle. Maybe if they don't have it after two weeks or a month, they don't need it.

Paying for accomodation is incredibly expensive. Like a lot of families, funds are limited.

Keep an eye out on any local free sites. You can always ask for things for a child off to uni. Or your local charity shops may have odd cups/plates/cutlery/ kitchen utensils if you dont have old things you'd happily replace. Any relatives willing to donate?

Encourage them to look for discounted gift cards for their nearest supermarket. https://www.savethestudent.org/save-money/gift-card-offers.html

If they have not yet thought about a student bank account take a look here - even if they already have an account they may find a better student one www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-bank-account/

Also although its best not to apply until they get to uni get a form to apply for low income exemption for prescriptions and glasses (unless they have reasonable savings) https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

We are a flight away, so DD had to go with the bare essentials and stock up when there. It really worked well as we probably would have anticipated needing all the wrong things/duplicating what was already there.

For her travel needs, joining EasyJet plus was a real saver. We recouped the money spent almost immediately. Also having a family Uber account meant that she was always able to get back at the end of an evening, regardless of her finances!

Mattress topper and the bare essentials for cooking. It’s really easy to buy things at local supermarkets near uni’s

Ok..

I bought a USB plug tower, took up less space.

Check with the uni what sort of cookers they have. Dd2 arrived at uni to find they had installed induction cookers meaning many of the cheap pans her friends had did not work.

We bought a John Lewis set as had another in her halls and their 2 sets became the communal pots for a year. Strict rule to wash directly after use.

Also practical. But can they cook a basic meal? Do they know when chicken is cooked? Can they do more than boil pasta?

All four of mine were surprised by how few of their friend were able to cook.
My vegetarian daughter had to teach a uni friend how to cook a steak (for boyfriebds birthday not regular food) as friend didnt know. Basic cooking is a skill you need if you dont live on take away. And most uni students cant afford that.

Depends on if catered or not. My DD is in full board placement.

We sent her with:

New bedding (double duvet for a single bed).
Comfy cushions and pillows.
A pack of family and friends photos (the room had a pin board)
Mini Fridge
Washing basket
Clothes horse
Bathroom caddy a pick up and go caddy stocked with her fave bathroom products
Towels
Computer monitor - 27" double as TV
Oodie and slides for trips to the shower
A few ornaments
String lights
Nebula Projector
Diffuser and oils
Hangers
Over door hanging rang
Box of favourite snacks
50 in cash
A snap / extender to hold keys and student card gate fob
Light up mirror
Personal alarm

The only thing that hasn't seen much use is the washing basket and line - she come home every few weeks so does washing at home.

I add this to every list, every year, because my son is dead. He would be alive today if his mate had placed him in the recovery position. Such a simple thing could have made a huge difference.
Sometimes young people away from home for the first time are not sensible. They might drink too much. Their drink might get spiked. It happens. Somebody with a bit of basic first aid knowledge could save their life.

@endofthelinefinally sorry about your son. You are totally right that the more people who know basic first aid the better. I wish they'd standardly do it in school.

My 18yo ds has done basic training and we were at a motorcycle rti a couple of weeks ago, and were the only people initially who had done any first aid. You never know when it comes in useful.

I’m so so sorry.
my 3 uni age children are first aiders and have put lots of students into the recovery position following a drinking session.
I wish they would have been there for your DS.
sending you love.

Thank you. You should be very proud of your children. I used to teach first aiders. I am utterly distraught knowing that basic first aid could have saved my child. I don't understand why some people think this is a strange thing to suggest to parents whose children are going to university.

@endofthelinefinally I'm going to suggest that our local youth group does a first aid session after reading your post. It's given me the push to feel that I can suggest it.

Lots of things here already. We also created a box for all his important documents and got him a tile for his keys.

That is good to know. I am going to stop hi-jacking OP's thread now. If a few parents get their DC to learn some first aid I will be happy.

First aid is so important. My son has done advanced first aid and in his first year at uni he had to do cpr on a student he found in the street who stopped breathing after mixing opiates and alcohol. Did it until the paramedics arrived. Quite shocking but he was so glad he could help.

Clip on light for the side of the bed.

I've got my DD one of these towers - it's got 8 plugs and 4 USB charging ports plus doubles as a night light as well. It's fab!

She will also be taking a set of small scales as she's rather a rule follower and when following a recipe will weigh everything out ... Even if she has done the recipe a million times - eg white sauce for lasagne that is just eyeball... A set of measuring spoons is also going with her for the same reason ....

If your DC is self catering, unless your DC likes cooking, and even if they do cooking properly in a small shared kitchen where everyone else has not washed up for several days is really hard, minimal kitchen equipment.
Matress protector and topper are appreciated. DD got storage boxes for the fridge and for her room which she used and did help keep her organised. Also a clothes airer. Extension cords. A few mugs and glasses to give friends drinks when they visit. If en-suite, cleaning stuff for the bathroom. A massive bag of laundry tabs for washing clothes and a laundry basket (ikea do great foldable ones). A whiteboard for putting up posters, photos though some uni rooms have these built in.

My DD’s freshers accommodation says no clothes airers. Hmmm. All my older kids used clothes airers. Do I bring an illicit clothes airer or not?!