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?

Drive along any motorway in September & you will recognise the students off to university. There will be an airer & a duvet stuffed in the boot. I did all this with DD and will do it with DS (although less stuff I hope!). It's a nice bonding experience. DD had one old duvet cover (soft & smelling of home) and one new. Only got changed when I nagged after seeing on Skype that it hasn't been. Really, they go months without changing their sheets. Yuk. When I was at uni we got one fresh sheet a week, which meant if you took your own duvet (1980s) you could have a clean bottom sheet each week.

I second a door stop, makes it easier to socialise with your new flat mates in the first few weeks

I also second a mattress topper/protector

Definitely more than one set of bedding for any late night 'accidents' (i.e. spilling your cheese, chips and mayo all over your pillow totally never happened)

Don't bother with loads of kitchen appliances or you'll end up with 4 toasters and kettles! I loved my george foreman grill though. I used it for bacon, chicken etc as well as making toasties.

ds was told not to bring a doorstop as the doors are fire doors and should be kept shut.

m.facebook.com/groups/488235648182391

We've got a little (anonymous!) Facebook group for uni mums/dads who might have questions on what happens next.

All welcome

sorry, tiny test, ignore me.

As a student myself the biggest advice I can give with regards to what to take... TEA TOWELS. Buy your DCs as many tea towels as is feasibly possible. In my halls I was in a flat of 10 people and by October every single one of the teatowels we had brought had started to smell really badly. Things like this often get overlooked when doing laundry as not many would volunteer to wash everybody's disgusting tea towels!!!
Best advice - buy a load of them and advice to keep half stored in bedroom - when the original ones get a bit gross/smelly, they can whip out a couple of fresh clean ones!

im getting confused and unsure on mattress topper and protector, we dont have them at home and dont want to spend loads, is it the case of one or the other ? protector for clean mattress and topper to add comfort, or is it a case of needing both ? dd will sleep anywhere and admits her most comfortable nights sleep are on a airbed or camping mat ! would be better to get her something that will last a few years but not sure which to go for, the ones i have seen linked seem costly if comfort doesnt bother her !

I'm not buying a topper as they are expensive and I am thinking it could get ruined during fresher's week. I will send him off with a mattress protector instead.

Please keep your ideas coming, I am making a huge list of things!

My understanding is the mattress protector protects the mattress from you and you from the mattress. Mattress toppers are more expensive and about comfort.
ds will be taking a protector.

I've decided against a topper asDS always complains of being too warm and they are made from memory foam which is quite warm (we had to get rid of a memory foam mattress as we were too hot in bed, haha ).

I'm just getting him a mattress protector.

Scissors and sellotape. Noone ever has any when you need them!

Black plastic sacks for my twins(rather than special laundry bags). My older children have not bothered with mattress protectors. If the twins think they need them they can buy them when they get there.

I'm trying to keep it to a minimum to save costs and hassle but probably they will think of things at the last minute.

One does loads of music so will probably take a trumpet, guitar and electric guitar and he is taking his mixer thing for the vegan shakes he makes at home.

Having read this thread I think I will start saving!
When ds1 goes I think I may suggest click and collect near halls or home delivery to get stuff to him,might be easier.