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AIBU?

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Original poster

University essentials

42 replies

Tevion28 · 02/09/2021 09:34

Posting here for traffic.
Ds is off to university in 2 weeks I know he needs towels, bed linen etc but what about kitchen items like utensils, crockery etc do the flatmates have thier own or do they share and what about stationary note pads do they have to buy all of those things. Any help is much appreciated.

OP posts:
Cap89 · 02/09/2021 09:39

Stationery etc. they will definitely need to provide their own.

Kitchen stuff might be a bit more variable between different unis/halls. When I went, everyone just took one or two of everything for themselves and was then responsible for that for the year. I seem to remember IKEA doing boxes of stuff for this exact purpose - a saucepan, a pan, a wooden spoon, a set of cutlery etc. And then I think I topped that up with crockery etc. I wouldn’t go expecting to share other people’s stuff. I’d be surprised if the uni hasn’t given them a list of suggested items for them to bring?

Seeline · 02/09/2021 09:41

Assuming he is in self catering accommodation, yes he will need crockery and cutlery, pots pans and cooking utensils. My DS had 2 sets of crockery and cutlery, a couple of saucepans, a baking tray, a casserole dish, fish slice, wooden spoons etc. Flat sharers tend to club together to buy toasters, kettles, sandwich toasters etc Microwave is usually provided. Check what type of hob his accommodation has to buy the right pans.

Cap89 · 02/09/2021 09:41

Quick note on the IKEA stuff… i’d try and get slightly unusual crockery, glasses etc just because everyone will go to IKEA and it can get confusing working out whose stuff is whose.

Liverbird77 · 02/09/2021 09:42

I'd also send him with a box of toiletries like deodorant, shower gel, shampoo etc Enough for a least a few months!

Ragwort · 02/09/2021 09:42

My DS started Uni two years ago, We just sent him with the basics ... unless he is going to a very isolated Uni there will be plenty of Wilko type shops, supermarkets etc where he can pick up anything necessary. I think my DS had a frying pan, saucepan, couple of wooden spoons, spatula, plate, mug, bowl, cutlery ... there will be very limited space and it's crazy if everyone takes a full kitchen worth of stuff. You will always get some students who take everything (including fancy coffee makers etc - in my DS's flat one poor Dad had to carry up a 'booze fridge' for the student's own room Grin).

I think all my DS cared about was a couple of pint mugs and a bottle opener!

But my friend's DD went shopping pre Uni and spent £100s on 'essentials' Hmm she was proud that the till receipt from IKEA was longer than her height. Pre Covid there were actually trips to IKEA as part of Fresher's Week, not sure if they still do that.

Seeline · 02/09/2021 09:42

Tupperware pots/plastic boxes are useful for things in the fridge.

They normally inly get one cupboard for all their crockery etc and food, plus a shelf in a fridge and a drawer in a freezer, so don't take too much!

Seeline · 02/09/2021 09:44

Also check what size bed he gets in his room to ensure the bedding fits.

MatildaIThink · 02/09/2021 09:47

You will get plenty of tips about the other things and some of it will vary depending on his course, but condoms, condoms and some more condoms.

NerrSnerr · 02/09/2021 09:48

I would have a look in charity shops for crockery. You can usually get unusual, decent quality bits really cheap.

Undertheoldlindentree · 02/09/2021 09:53

Our uni (self-catering halls), asked flatmates not take a complete set of kitchen kit each as there just wasn't room. Uni set up a Facebook group for each flat in the summer so they could get to know each other, plus asked them to sort out on there who was taking a set of cutlery, who was taking the pans, crockery, chopping boards, graters, baking trays etc. Cheaper for all and stopped duplication and overloaded cupboards. Then they filled in odd tea towels, wooden spoons etc from Wilko after arrival. Took their own items home at end of the year.

ChequerBoard · 02/09/2021 09:57

Check the information about his specific halls of residence.

If it's catered he really doesn't need much mire than a mug for tea and a bowl for cereal/soup.

If it's self catered, check what the kitchens are provided with. My DD is off to Uni next week (Scotland) and her flat self catered has a shared kitchen but she needs to take her own crockery, cutlery, utensils, pans etc. She likes to cook so we have been making sure we have the items she needs to cook her favourite things plus a tin opener, corkscrew, bottle opener etc...

MojoMoon · 02/09/2021 10:12

Would not send him off with loads of stuff - tin opener, one bowl, one mug, one set of cutlery and a sharp knife, one small pan, one tea towel, a leak proof Tupperware box. He'll not starve with that.

There will be shops in his uni town. Far better to wait to see what he needs and then buy it - send him the money if required.

Would also advise a small torch or headlamp, just in case ever a power cut. Eye mask in case the curtains are rubbish. Ear plugs. Condoms. A few plasters, blister plasters, tube of antiseptic cream/wipes and some paracetamol or ibuprofen. Not a massive full first aid kit, just a few things that would see him sorted at 3am until the shops open

Bobrosspaintbrush · 02/09/2021 10:32

My lad asked for a small George Forman, for his bacon,sausages, burgers and toasted sandwiches.

thing47 · 02/09/2021 13:06

Door wedge. A lot of university accommodation has heavy fire doors to the rooms which swing shut unless propped open, and having an open door is important for getting to know your flatmates in the first few weeks – you can always shut it in the unlikely event you need to study Grin

VickyEadieofThigh · 02/09/2021 13:17

I'm smiling that the OP thought they might get stationery provided!

Iimaginethiswillbefun · 02/09/2021 13:27

I found Asda cheaper than IKEA weirdly.

I’ve bought ds full (cheap) dinner services, cutlery, cup sets etc and am only giving him half to take. So he can save the rest for next year.

I have a question! When does the first part of the maintenance loan get sent through?

Seeline · 02/09/2021 15:36

@Iimaginethiswillbefun If your DC looks on their student finance account, it should give the dates when each amount is given and the amount

Dungabees · 02/09/2021 16:27

I also wouldn’t buy all the books off the reading list straight away; wait a few weeks see which ones they actually need. I found that I could get a lot of mine cheap from students in the year above or by looking in charity book shops in my uni town

KatieB55 · 02/09/2021 16:48

George Foreman is a good idea - toasted sandwiches go down well!

Bagelsandbrie · 02/09/2021 16:51

Ask Ds to check what he needs - it’s the first task they can do as an adult about to leave home Grin

My dd is starting too and I’ve just asked her to let me know if there’s anything specific she needs. She knows far more about it all than I do.

BashfulClam · 02/09/2021 18:13

When I sent these best items were a sleeping bag rather than a duvet, warmer, lighter and easy to wash. I used it unzipped into a quilt in summer. I wish I’d had the sistema microwave stuff. The soup cup is fantastic, microwave porridge bowl and microwave rice cooker…those would have been brilliant but I went to uni in the late 90’s.

BashfulClam · 02/09/2021 18:15

This type of thing!

University essentials
University essentials
Oblomov21 · 02/09/2021 18:20

Like look of sistema links. Love a good sistema me!

Singleorigincoffee · 02/09/2021 19:32

Lemsip. Freshers flu is real