First child off to uni accommodation - what do we need?

[minerva7]

Just that. First time ever settling an 18 year old into uni accommodation. Furnished room. Shared toilet, shower and kitchen.

Do we label all their stuff in that goes into the kitchen cabinets? Do they keep their toothbrush etc in their bedroom? So many questions!

I would really appreciate experiences/opinions thank you 🙏🏻

I was just about to start this thread 😅so following with interest. (En-suite, but otherwise the same setup).

Goodness don't name their stuff if you want them to fit in. They can probably decide themselves where they'd like to keep their toothbrush.

I get that this is difficult to navigate because it feels like an extension of sending them off to a new school buy you really have to let them sort this out themselves. Google or ask friends, find out and buy when they get there... whatever. But dont do it for them.

On the infamous Facebook page, indeed so much of it, the language is telling. 'We've applied to xxxx University' etc. There was one mum this morning who had been emailing the uni for information regarding drop off/enrollment. Very cringe and over stepping.

Don't sweat the small stuff. They'll figure out where to store their toothbrush. Get them to write a list of what they will need. If something is forgotten they can get it there.

Just get cheap and cheerful stuff for the kitchen so it's less likely to go missing. I wouldn't bother labelling it.

If you are on Facebook you could join the WIWIKAU Facebook group. In amongst the bonkers posts there are some really useful ones. They also have a list of what to take to university.

You might like to ask this thread to be moved to the Higher Education topic.

Good luck to your young person.

I'd recommend a little bath caddy thing to put their shower gel, sponge, shampoo etc in and is easily carried back and forth. Depending who they live with they might be happy to leave it in there and there will probably be room; but it was a no from me!

I'd get some plates and cups but wait to see on the utensils and pans front- if they have a chat group already best to club together and buy a cheap set imo, no kitchen needs x number of each thing, taking decent ones as well often leads to arguments if someone uses it and doesn't wash it for example. Can always get next day delivery or head into town in the first few days if anything is missing, just don't spend loads unnecessarily! Or just buy cheap, I got everything from IKEA for under a tenner.

I had a friend who kept their milk in the communal fridge in a rinsed-out prune juice carton to stop people stealing it 😆

Basically don’t put anything communally if you have any sense of hygiene… or that you’d be sad if it got used up, broken,lost, stolen etc. One year I was stuck with a disgusting slob who left cigarette ashes in the sink, another time urinated in the kitchen sink inaccurately and vomited on the bathroom floor then used someone else’s toothbrush. Amongst other behaviours.

Also buy them a bottle of bleach and some anti bac surface spray and cloths.

Get a china marker to name plates, bowl and cups. Underneath, it's discrete.
A big toilet caddy to go to and from the shower room. Don't leave your toothbrish anywhere, some one will use it for something gross.
Take any good sharp knives back to his room or they will disappear.

I was going to start a thread too. DS has had a gap year so has had plenty of useful advice from friends who have been at uni for a year.
DS has suggested IKEA, they do a box of stuff for students.
A friend has suggested a mattress topper and sandwich toaster.
DS has applied to halls with catering and without, he will hear this month where he will be so we can work out what he will need.
DS is doing a sports related degree so I will mostly be buying sports socks so he has a months supply.
And a clothes airer to dry clothes, apparently the laundry arrangements are pretty crap.
I’m currently researching transport, bus passes ( discount ). I will leave it to DS to apply for them.
I have to say that gap year and having a firm unconditional place makes life so much easier.

There's no point in marking anything. Either people will be considerate and not break/lose/steal things and leave everything dirty (in which case, does it really matter if they use your student's plate?) or they won't (and a name on the bottom won't make any difference).

Definitely get a bath/shower caddy or giant toiletry bag. ds has this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SKFK27T/?coliid=I3D40ZRCIZT73F&colid=3A1IJ3PVN3A3R&psc=1&ref_=_sed_dp. It fits everything and it's very handy for trips home as well.

Don't buy too much in advance. Let your student wait and see what everyone else brings.

A good quality padded mattress protector. When I was in halls mattresses had this ghastly plastic coating on them. Even if that’s not the case where your dc is, it would add more comfort to what will otherwise more than likely not be the best quality mattress.

Don't take too much but take more than one of plates, glasses etc.
I've had two at university both annoyed by housemates with only one of everything that they were too lazy to wash so just used other people's stuff.
Mine didn't have anything labelled and neither did they have anything taken, just used and unwashed.
They've always clubbed together with the others for things like milk, bread, bin bags etc. They haven't needed kettles and toasters in halls or houses but they have all chipped in for air fryers and in one case a TV for the living room.

Have added this to my basket thanks.

Do I need to buy cutlery and crockery? A toaster? I assumed the communal kitchen would have all the basics?

I don't have Facebook.

Cutlery
Crockery
Cooking utensils
Pots/pans

They need their own - sharing does not work for these items.

Most halls will provide a microwave.
Kettle and toaster usually, but not always. These can be purchased by the group. WhatsApp groups are usually set up before move in for this sort of thing

Each halls will have their own rules regarding electrical appliances that can be brought for kitchen and/or room so check the rules carefully.
Many also have rules on airers - some allow, some don't, most won't allow heated ones.

Fairy lights often need to be battery operated.

A small electric fan is useful.

Most rooms are very small.
There is nit much storage space in shared kitchens, usually two shelves in a cupboard (sometimes 2 Cupboards), a cutlery drawer, a shelf in a fridge and a freezer drawer.

Check what type of hob. Many universities use induction hobs

Do I need to buy cutlery and crockery

Yes. The kitchen is just an empty kitchen with nothing but the appliances in. They will also need bedding - duvet, pillows, sheets, duvet covers, pillow cases, towels etc. Don't buy these until you know what size the bed is. A lot of halls now provide a small double bed.

Student halls just provide an empty kitchen and an empty bedroom, plus bathrooms. Student bedrooms contain a bed, wardrobe desk, shelving and a chair. The only soft furnishing might be curtains if not a blind.

Packing tip - don't use suitcases unless you can take them away with you. There is nowhere to store them. Use soft, zippable, foldable bags and vacuum bags. I found vacuum bags to be a game changer. We did use a couple of large plastic storage boxes for kitchen stuff, but took them back with us.

It goes without saying that your young person needs to know how to cook before going to university and how to use a washing machine.

I used to get frustrated at the number of posts on the Facebook page from parents of DC who couldn't even heat a tin of beans. It is our job ad parents to ensure that our DC are able to fly the nest with the correct life skills to be independent.

Some halls have underbed storage. At DS’s you lifted up the mattress/base. So good to check whether that is available.

DS’s flat only had a magnetic whiteboard on the walls, others have large pinboards. Most halls will ask you not to attach anything to the walls

Many laundries specify laundry pods only, not washing powder/fabric conditioner

Remember space in the kitchen is very limited. DS took spare crockery/cutlery from home.

Thanks for all the helpful replies 🙂

Chances are whatever you send much of it won’t get used. Box of laundry pods pretty much untouched 😱 However, electric fan used daily, even when snow on the ground

In general I'd recommend less rather than more. A couple of plates, a bowl or two, etc. If it turns out that they need anything more then they can always get it at the local supermarket and/or you can get it delivered to them via Amazon.

I agree that storage space is very limited which can cause problems for suitcases. A collapsible crate is useful for kitchen stuff and packs down very small. Do leave them with at least a small suitcase or sportsbag so that when they come back for the holidays they can bring a big pile of dirty washing the essentials with them.

It's weird. University accommodation is either boiling hot or freezing cold. There's no in-between.

TV licence if they are taking a telly. I was AMAZED at the number of people who assumed that their parents' licence would cover them (why would it, possibly hundreds of miles away?!)

If you have a pet, a cushion with photo of pet on it is usually very popular (miss the pet more than the parents!)

The communal kitchens have nothing at all (except cooker and fridge and cupboards).

He'll need plates bowls etc. some kitchens have a lockable cupboard per person but many don't.

Not worth naming stuff.