Uni Packing

[Pembin]

Hi
Please direct me if I’m looking in the wrong place and this is well documented elsewhere .... fingers crossed for this morning😟 any experienced uni parents got packing lists to offer ( over and above the door stop!)
HOPEFULLY she’ll be in fully catered halls ....
Been awake since 4 and (in theory ) I’m not even stressed!

[MollyButton]

If you are anywhere near Nettlebed (Reading/Oxford area) a friend swear by these www.sueryder.org/how-we-can-help/find-a-local-care-service/nettlebed-sales

[bizzey]

Sisters...did you mention domething on the other thread about that ..? Connaught halls ?

Think they are catering which he did not want .
Not heard back from him since his phone call .
Does he need to confirm his firm now and see what accommodation he has?

[TootingLate]

@Familyband. Why double, do halls have double beds?

[hellsbells99]

flip flops if shared toilets/showers (can be grim!)

[bizzey]

I thought most halls had a single and1/2 bed ...so double is cosy .

[hellsbells99]

Even if a single bed, I would recommend getting a double duvet as then you won't have to buy one again when they move next year (also better if they have a 'friend' staying over)

[TootingLate]

There'll be none of that! 😂

[hellsbells99]

and a solid plastic bin for their bedroom (that doubles up as a sick bucket!)

[sashh]

If you buy crockery get it from a charity shop, everyone else will have Ikea and it will be borrowed.

Even if they are in catered it can be useful to have a way of making a snack - if halls allow for it, a toaster is useful.

Some catered places serve dinner early and by 9pm the students are ordering pizza.

Don't forget to pack a coat, hat, scarf etc, they arrive when it is warm but a lot don't come home until Xmas.

[bizzey]

Next ...i am ignoring what @hellbells99 ssid ..
Humff ...

Let get on to laptops .
Grandparents and dad are going to get him a new one .
Where do we start 🤔

[bizzey]

Good point about the warm clothes .

[Propertyfaux]

DS is self catered and I have just bought him from Lidl a multi section baking tray/ frying pan. I do think I have ended up buying the entire kitchen stock for his shared kitchen. It’s just seems cheaper buying sets than individual.

[SistersOfMerci]

Make sure they've got enough underwear and socks to last two weeks.

The washing machines and driers in the launderettes are very expensive so my dd did washing every other week.

[SistersOfMerci]

And if they've got en-suite then remember a bath mat.

[PKPopsy]

I bought DD a plug in heated clothes airer (lakeland I think). As mentioned above the washing and drying gets expensive especially as the machines are enormous and if they divide their colours and whites have to do lots of washes. DD wasn't keen on my suggestions of asking brand new friends to share a load :)

[Bakeandyarn]

For laptops it depends what you want but DS got student discount last year in the Apple store (just had to show his confirmation letter) and a free pair of Beats headphones. It was a pretty generous discount too if I remember. I’m sure other retailers offer discounts to students too so it’s worth checking.

[MissConductUS]

When we moved DS into his dorm at uni last year the biggest surprise was the small number of electrical outlets the room had and their poor placement. It was a very large, older house that the uni had bought and converted into student housing.

DH had brought a tape measure and was able to run out and find a DIY store to buy extension cords and a surge protector and we got everything plugged in, but I wish we had thought of it a head of time.

[SistersOfMerci]

Thought of another one similar to MissConduct ,as in electrical. We rocked up last year and there was no bedside lamp so we had to dash out to a store to buy one, dh wasn't impressed at being in the city centre at lunchtime on a Saturday.

[Familyband]

@TootingLate his do. Not sure if it's a thing now, but he got results (course a bit like btec) in May so we went up to Liverpool for a look around and managed to sneak a peek into his actual room as its ground floor and was empty.

[Ocies]

Hello - I was just reading this out of nostalgia, ds graduated three years ago and dd is going into her final year.

Just a heads up that even if your dc have succeeded in their firm choice their accommodation may not be confirmed for a week or two. Ds was at Southampton and it was about two weeks before we knew which halls he was in!

[GnomeDePlume]

This list was started for DD1 (now graduated) and amended with her input plus input from DD2 (about to enter year 2):

Food

• ketchup
• mayonaise
• bbq sauce
• vinegar
• olive oil
• oil spray
• tuna
• tea/coffee/hot chocolate
• sweeteners/sugar
• tinned sweetcorn/peas/beans
• cereal
• flour
• jam/marmite/honey
• salt/pepper
• passata
• curry/pasta sauces
• pasta
• tomato puree
• herbs/spices
• squash
• naan bread
• noodles
• gravy granules
• rice
• mashed potato

Household

• dustbin bags
• toilet cleaner
• surface wipes/jcloths
• toilet paper
• first aid kit
• clothes pegs
• washing up liquid
• toiletries
• laundry wash

Kitchen

• kitchen knives in sheaths
• tin opener
• masher
• whisk
• food prep boards
• pans & frying pan
• mixing bowl
• casserole dish
• baking tins/sheet
• cling film
• foil
• packed lunch box

Room

• Duvet
• Pillows
• Bedding
• Mattress topper
• Throw
• Cushions
• Toilet brush if ensuite
• Small bin
• Clothes dryer/airer
• Room freshener
• Bathroom basket for toiletries
• Makeup mirror
• Crate for tinned/dry food

In addition to the above I sent each DD off with a shoe box sized 'rainy day' box. Each was crammed with things to do when they were bored and had no money. All sorts of things: luxury hair conditioning treatments, just add water cookie mixes, balloons, quiz books, jelly mixes.

[hellsbells99]

@bizzey and @TootingLate
My DD2 went off to uni having not been into clubbing and partying etc. One of her flat mates had to carry her home during freshers as she had no idea of her limits...... now 3 years older and hopefully wiser!

[ifonly4]

DD has boarded the last two years. Giant laundary bags are fantastic for throwing quilts, pillows, folders, clothes in. We've got three, should probably get another couple. Might be worth getting a few cheap hangers as well.

[TootingLate]

@ifonly4. Would you be able to link to the ones you mean please?

[78percentLindt]

Obviously check with the hall about what they have in the room, and allow.
Hangers, drying rack, one of those sock hanger things ( a metal one that holds 20-24 socks from ebay was ace), bath mat, one of those metal shelved bathroom units if they are in ensuite room, a hanging sponge bag if they are not. Decent laundry bag- those blue Ikea bags are great. In one hall here was a lack of drawers and work surface- we bought a set of plastic drawers which have proved invaluable over the years. Desk/bedside lamp ( uni ones were not very good). A socket tower and/or distribution board, over door hangers.
My eldest DC asked for a fruit bowl!!
My boys both had a tool kit - theres came in a pouch thing with screw driver head and various different sized attachments, sockets set, allen keys . loads of people found them useful.
Double duvet is not a bad idea as rented houses tend to have doubles. We bought one of the two part ones - halls can quite hot, rented houses can be cold.