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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Iimaginethiswillbefun · 03/09/2021 07:33

I also joined perloga they are doing a discount at the moment. It’s like Spotify for booked I got it at £72 .

Tevion28 · 03/09/2021 09:29

VickyEadieofThigh lol I'm new to this I am clueless

OP posts:
sashh · 03/09/2021 11:07

Toilet roll.

I agree with the not going to Ikea for crockery, it will be stolen, used by others and not washed.

I'd suggest a washing up bowl, if the sink id full of others dirty cups he can still wash up.

Clothes, add some winter stuff, it will be Xmas before he comes home.

Unless he has his own en suite then flip flops for the shower. Towels obviously too. Dressing gown / robe if he is using shared facilities.

He will need notebooks / paper / folders etc, USB sticks are useful for backing work up.

A list of phone numbers and dates of birth of the family so he can phone gran on her birthday or SMS his sister (adjust for relatives he has) depending on your child a box of Xmas cards to send.

Drawing pins, there is usually a notice board.

A list of things to do soon after arrival eg register with a GP and a dentist. Get the right form for free prescriptions. Insure his contents, TV licence if he has a TV, bus pass if he needs one.

A mini first aid kit with some pain killers, plasters etc.

Does he know how to make a bed and operate a laundry washer?

Spare tooth brush and tooth paste, flannel etc.

Salt and pepper and favorite ketchup.

Tevion28 · 03/09/2021 11:52

He has his own ensuite. So far I have bought him.
Towels
Laundry bin
Bin

Bed linen
Pillows
Duvet
Teatowels
Airer
Long swing mirror
Washing capsules
Plasters
Lemsip
Antiseptic cream
3 bottles shampoo
6 shower gel
3 antiperspirant

OP posts:
Tevion28 · 03/09/2021 11:53

His dad bought some stationary from work like notepads folders etc

OP posts:
Seeline · 03/09/2021 12:13

Sliders and dressing gown are useful even if en suite. Kitchen floor gets nasty, dressing gown great for grabbing breakfast in shared kitchen. Both useful for late night fire alarms.

Seeline · 03/09/2021 12:13

Check whether a desk lamp is provided.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 03/09/2021 14:36

Dont buy everything in the first reading list...

I did... Really regretted it... As so many weren't very good... One lecturer admitted not to having read them himself... Bloody expènsive... And very expensive mistake...

In y2 I bought none... And waited for ones it be sold second hand... And photocopy /download relevant chapters...

Nutsabouttopic · 03/09/2021 15:17

A colander for their pasta
An extension lead
A small first aid kit

Starisnotanumber · 03/09/2021 15:28

Mattress toppers are useful the mattress are usually are not the most comfortable and he will probably spend lots of time sitting on his bed.
We also got one of the cube things for sitting on/ storage not sure what they are called but about 50cm square and the same high they are around a tenner from Wilko and similar shops.
Hides clutter or can be used for storage

ChequerBoard · 03/09/2021 15:37

I agree a mattress topper is a really good idea but I would wait to get one until you can check out what size the bed is in his room.

In my DDs halls one beds are singles and some are small doubles so we are going to get one on the day we drop her off after checking out the right size.

SpeakingFranglais · 03/09/2021 15:40

Only take one plate, mug, knife fork etc and wash after use and keep in Your room.

All clean crockery will be used by some lazy sods irrespective of who it belongs to. Same with pans. One medium sized Non stick pan for everything.

Maria1982 · 03/09/2021 15:45

@SpeakingFranglais you speak the truth!
Ah this takes me back. I got my bowl, plate, cutlery from Woolies Smile there that dates me!

Seeline · 03/09/2021 16:58

I think you need two of each - they might have a friend visit. It's nice if they can at least offer a drink!

Alicenwonderland · 03/09/2021 21:54

This is the thread I've been needing! My DS is off to Uni and I'm clueless as to what he needs. Great ideas on this thread!

Mummylovesmonkeys · 03/09/2021 23:30

Slow cooker is good - chuck everything in and leave it to go.

Which Uni is he at? Can help if needed if Sheffield or Hallam

Maray1967 · 04/09/2021 00:31

Coat hangers!!! Everyone forgets those.
Re stationery - we’ve had students assume it will be provided because it was at their college, but my DS does not use any now. All note taking and work is done on his I pad or laptop. He finds that so much better than struggling with piles of paper notes.
Do you definitely know what size the bed will be? Mine ended up moving halls early on and went to one with a small double and he only had single sheets- I had to sort some bigger ones from dunelm.

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