What to take/remember for Uni?

[DComb23]

Hi, My son should be off to Uni this coming September and I'm feeling stressed with the process. He's now created a list of what to take. He's now registered - only yesterday - for accommodation with his 1st choice Uni. He's clearing out his room today - what to keep here, rubbish, what to take, what goes to charity.
Are there things in your experience that we could easily overlook in the run up to going to Uni?

I gave my very blushing ds a pack of condoms, figure it was going to happen sooner or later. A food basic basket, loo roll, pads, pens etc, a couple of those big ikea shopping bags for laundry & rubbish. My ds had to move in to student accommodation for the first year, after that he cold share.
Also set up a way of getting extra money to him, my ds couldn't get a job, there is also those supermarket cards where you get 2 and you can put money on for him to spend.
Hope he has a wonderful time and you enjoy the peace and quite.

Thanks Skinandbones. Like your ds, mine will find the condom topic embarrassing! Had not thought of the large laundry/shopping bags - have asked my ds to add it to his list.
Thanks again.

Do the first shop with him and buy things like laundry powder and pasta in bulk, anything that wont go off.

Portable charger and cables for phones. Extension cables. 2-way adaptors. Battery recharger.

Basic first aid kit.
Small bin for rubbish and for throwing up in after a night out!

Is an extension cable one of these?
There are generally not enough plugs.

Door stops so he can prop his door open and make friends
Coat hangers
Extra pillows / cushion or perhaps a v-pillow - they spend quite a lot of time sitting / lounging on their beds and it's uncomfy leaning against the wall
Laundry bag (to collect it in, in room and then carry to laundrette)
Airer or at least over door hooks (will depend a bit on space - think not only about things he has washed but his towel each day and even coat on a wet week)
4-gang thing (like picture) or even two
Desk lamp for reading - the light is never in the right place and generally aren't that bright
'Emergency box' - little sewing kit, some paracetamol, a few plasters, a pair of scissors
Bottle opener

Kitchen stuff - often after offers day they set up little Facebook groups so he can "meet" new flatmates on line. Sometimes people put on there 'I'm bringing a sandwich toaster you can all use' etc. so not everyone needs them. However - frying pan / oven tray / saucepan / few utensils / couple of knives / cutlery / mugs / couple of plates, bowls / storage tubs. Kitchen + bathroom cloth. Washing up sponge / brush (although everyone brings these on the first day - there will likely be 6 bottles washing up liquid in the kitchen when you arrive )

Check bedding - may be single, may be double, some provide more than others

Envelopes!

A yucca plant

Check what is provided. Ds room had a bin, desk lamp, loads of sockets, pillows, duvet, mattress protector ( although he preferred to use his own). Limited cooking facilities (catered accommodation) meant he managed with measuring jug, covered microwave dish, plate , bowl , mugs, cutlery, glasses.

Ds recommends food(!) , bedding , towels, bathmat if ensuite, toothmug, alarm clock, clothes airer

I'd add surface wipes, toilet rolls, washing up liquid and brush, tea cloths ( cheap so you can chuck away at end of term) , laundry bag and tablets ( tumble drier sheets and colour catchers not allowed)

Mesh washing bags to save clothes from being left in communal washing machines, clothes horse (tumble driers were to expensive for my DD).
Electric fan , my DD ws far too hot in her halls bedroom.
Drawing pins to pin up photos on her pinboard.
I bough my DD an extendible file and before she left we sorted all the important docs and certificates needed in the crazyness that is freshers week
My DD acquired a prepay credit card she could keep topping up to save taking out, and loosing, her actual bank cards on nights out. It may just be her that is rubbish at keeping hold of her stuff when drunk though!

Clothes airier
Laundry basket (my son has a fold up one from Ikea which was v.cheap but useful).
Doorstop - an open door encourages them to mix when they start.
A fan - the halls my son lived in were kept incredibly warm!
Coat hangers
A slow cooker. Not for everyone but my son uses his a lot, especially when he has a late lecture so that he comes home to a meal.

My first day in halls I unpacked everything, put clean sheets on the bed, a lovely flower in a pot on the window, kettle sorted, clothes all neatly hung in wardrobe and feeling chuffed I went to the bar. A couple of hours later and a bit very drunk I got back and realised..... I didn't have a duvet on my bed. It took me 3 days to get into town and buy one as nowhere on campus sold them

Loads of old threads on this in Higher Education which are still useful.

Don't they provide bedding? They did in my day. Otherwise students would be sleeping in the same sheets/duvet for 10 weeks...

A doorstop is very handy! Lots of old threads in higher education on what to take. Recommend the vacuum bags you can shrink duvets etc into! Makes more space in the car!

Lady they didn't supply it at my son's halls although you could purchase a bedding pack - single duvet and cover, pillow and case and bottom sheet for a very reasonable price. We bought him a double duvet for extra comfort and all bedding that was needed, including a spare cover set for when he washed the other.

Otherwise students would be sleeping in the same sheets/duvet for 10 weeks...
Oh they do, trust me they do.
Oddly enough though when they come home they seem to change their bedding every week.

One thing that won't be on the old threads is the printer DS got for University. It has an inbuilt ink ordering service via Wifi which for a monthly fee (€3 in his case but it can be more) sends you the cartridges and gives you a fixed number of pages (50 plus 50 rolled over).
Beats the panic of late night essay writing and discovering you've run out of ink!
It supposedly saves an average of €16 a year. It's a HP Envy and I'll find you a link.

www.amazon.co.uk/HP-Inkjet-Printer-Instant-Months/dp/B014W49JRE?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Every year on these threads there are extensive lists of things students need, but often they include things that will either be included at the accommodation, or they may never use. Aside from things like bedding if it isnt included, the only things my DD really appreciated were a really soft mattress cover (Dunelm teddy bear one), a laundry basket and loads of cushions for lounging around on. Oh and mobile phone insurance proved very useful too

I would have loved to send him off with a full set of university stationery but things have changed since my day-now they just take their computers, record the lecture and share notes wirelessly.

He did get a new desk lamp and took his swivel chair from home (he's in a house with friends, not halls).

Swivel chair from home? I only have a small car...

The mattress topper idea is a good one. Also might act as a shield against previous occupant's bed bugs...

I'm obviously living in Jurassic times, but back in the 80s I got my bedding laundered once a week in halls. Doesn't this happen any more? For the money it costs I'm fully expecting ds to have Bates from Downton Abbey hovering around at all times.

Is it in a deserted island? Because quite a lot mentioned here he'll figure it out and buy there. Don't baby him.

Don't make it final. Within a month he'll know what he needs and adjust.