What’s needed for self catered halls?

[fedup21]

We are writing a list of what is needed-any tips gratefully received!

Kettle
Toaster
Toasted sandwich maker
a couple of plates/bowls/glasses
mugs/knives/forks/spoons
Saucepan
Frying pan
Chopping board and sharp knife

I don't think it's that odd to be planning early! I'm a student, I cook "proper" food at least 3 days a week and quick stuff the others. I have:
2x saucepans with draining lids so no colander
Small frying pan
2x bowls
Plate
Cutlery
Tin opener
Wooden spoon
Fish slice
Sharp knife
Bread knife
A big chopping board to create my own bit of clean surface in the kitchen
Mug
Glass
Tupperware
Baking tray
Foil tray for brownies for friends' birthdays
Measuring spoons
Pyrex dish I've never used (much of my stuff came from a house clearance so some random bits)
Teapot (I'm 19 going on 90....)
Kettle
Small fridge

I agree check what's allowed with electricals, and don't bother with toasters etc. My sister got a sandwich toaster in first year and it never made it out of the box.
Other stuff:
Clothes rack that folds small
Laundry basket/ bag
One of those big plastic buckets with the handles, useful for all sorts of stuff
Washing up bowl
Washing up liquid, dish cloths, teatowel
Washing powder
Shoe polish
Needle and thread/ mini sewing kit (makes you very popular when cobbled together fancy dress is required!)
First aid kit and basic medicines

Store cupboard bits, bought once you've travelled unless you have a v big car:
Pasta
Couscous
Rice
Instant mashed potato
Oil
Mixed herbs
Curry powder
Chilli flakes
Onions
Garlic
Potatoes for baking
Small bag of plain flour if you think they'll be making sauces
Tinned tuna
Tinned veg and fruit for emergencies
Tinned soup
Some instant couscous pots/ pot noodle type things

I just looked around my room and made a list, so that should be pretty comprehensive

Also check if bedding etc is provided. I brought a blanket from home which I love

No, of course you haven't "offended" me with your list. I would just say

1. why are you making a list so many months in advance? You don't even know where your child will be studying yet.

1. Let your child do the research and make the list. This is what I had to do and I'm pretty certain all my peers did too when we went to University in the 80s. Have you heard of self sufficiency/resilience? Let your 18 year old stand on their own two feet, make their own mistakes and learn a little bit about looking after themselves. It's a good and healthy thing to do.

Honestly, hold back on buying scding that's likely to be shared like a kettle or toaster. Somebody will bring one, or they(you?) Can all chip in a couple of quid to buy one together. Worst case scenario you have to buy a cheap one once there.

Couple of plates, cheap cutlery, bowls, basic utensils (fish slice, spatula type things), frying pan, pan (maybe one large one small), chopping board, sharp vegetable knife, kitchen scissors. Baking tray. Plastic containers.

Nothing expensive. IKEA stuff. It'll get broken/lost soon enough.

Maybe op just likes planning, it's fun. I'm sure her child will want to have the fun of making their own lists and plans anyway

Agree with everyone else. Most student halls provide kettle and toaster.
When they are allocated their flat, then often they can form social media groups and talk together about who is bringing what.

Door stops are useful - prop your door open when you are in your flat and it says "say Hi when you are passing" - easier to start mixing.

A bucket - all sorts of uses from soaking muddy kit or something that has got blood or spag bol on it, to a sick bucket in your room.

Don't bother with bedlinen until you know what size bed they will have - DD listed only one accommodation preference (out of 6, I think) with a small double rather than a single bed and guess which one she was allocated? I had promised her some new stuff (lighter weight material than any we had at home, to cut down on drying time, before anyone says, she should have taken old things and anyway, I quite like the sthings we've chosen for home use) and she had already identified some she liked, so we just upgraded plans to double rather than single.

As for it being too early to think of making lists, or even getting things a) do what you like with your own time and money b) if she doesn't go this year after all, well, these things aren't going to go off in a hurry and c) if she decides never to leave home, or to become a nun or something, you've got spare stuff to use yourselves.

These would have to be portable appliance tested, which the university probably won't be prepared to do.

Some have PAT testing days during Freshers Week where you take your electrical appliances to be PAT tested. It's not just kitchen equipment, they were wanting to check chargers, TVs, computers, games consoles, etc - basically anything with a plug needs to be PAT tested.

why are you making a list so many months in advance?

To save money by buying the stuff cheap/discounted when we see it. If we leave it to when he gets there, options are more limited and we'll end up spending more money.

Have you heard of self sufficiency/resilience?

Yes, thank you.

Maybe op just likes planning, it's fun

That’s it. We were talking about it together and I said I’d post on here and ask. He obviously has his own ideas as well. I didn’t realise I’d get some of the responses I did just for asking a question .

Thank you everyone else who has replied and given us some helpful pointers. The doorstop is a good one!

We won’t be buying anything for months, we were just talking about it and I thought I’d get some sort of starting point which would give an idea of how much things might cost and let us keep an eye out for the prices of things.

I didn’t know which university or halls I’d get (like the majority of people, I expect) until A level results in mid August and then I started 3 weeks later which I remember being a bit of a whirlwind. Luckily we’d bought bits beforehand so saying things like

You don't even know where your child will be studying yet.

I don’t think makes much difference. Much of the stuff will be needed wherever he goes.

Thanks again.

Oops - apologies for misgendering your DS, @fedup21

I wouldn't buy too much until you get confirmation of accommodation in August. DS applied for self-catering halls and was allocated semi-catered (9 meals per week provided, only had to make weekday breakfasts and lunches).
Kettle was provided; toaster wasn't provided but 15 of them were sharing a kitchen and only 1 person needed to buy one.

But seeing as you're after a list, this is what he needed for both catered (Y1) and self-catering (Y2):

Reusable water bottle
Mugs
Insulated mug
Tumblers
2 bowls
2 plates
2 sets cutlery
Sporks
Microwavable soup mug
Click & seal plastic boxes
Klipits
Sandwich bags
Tea towels
Rubber gloves
Sharp knife
Chopping board
Tin opener
Dishmatic brush
Kitchen roll
Washing up liquid

I still have my toastie maker from uni 18 years on. wistful

Uni's tend to send a lost a bit nearer the time for what's actually needed but I seem to remember taking
2 pans
1frying pan
Grater
Fish slice
Potato masher
4 mugs
2 bowls
2 dinner plates
2 side plate
4 glasses
Measuring jug
A 16 piece set of cutlery which included teaspoons, spoons, knives and forks
A couple of serving spoons

A washing up bowl to keep dirty pots etc. in one place in the communal kitchen or going from bedroom to kitchen is a good idea.
It doubles up as a handwashing container and sick bowl, hopefully not at the same time!

I sent DS off with a collapsible one which didn’t last long. Now I’d choose the JosephJoseph one with the twisty plug, but it’s no longer my choice. I think he has a £3.99 jobby!

Phew, that’s expensive.... maybe not!

DD didn't need a kettle or a toaster.
She has a slow cooker, George Forman and a stick blender she uses a lot, they didn't need to be PAT tested.

I was going to buy myself new pans and give her mine but there was a set of Scoville pans in Asda reduced to £20.
I've got a couple of frying pans of the same brand and they are fantastic so got the set for DD instead and made sure to only get her silicone or plastic utensils but if they do get wrecked then we haven't wasted much.

Things that DD has found really useful,
Over door hooks,
Over door mirror The Range,
Fold up under bed storage from Ikea,
Shoe racks £3 Ikea,
One of those fabric shelves that hang down from the wardrobe rail,
Suction storage for the bathroom,
Pop up laundry basket,
USB fan (her halls are boiling),
Plastic bin,

My dc found clothes airers really helpful - but my niece's room was so narrow she'd have had nowhere to put it.
Every student I know finds tumble dryers horrifically expensive, and found airers invaluable. Also for draping towels over and even draping wet coat etc.

Also a couple of air tight tubs - smaller ones for leftovers (when you are cooking for one, it is great if you can then freeze the rest of the curry / bolognaise / whatever, or even store it for the next day.
Also a bigger one for your biscuit stash

A proper Pyrex 1 litre handled jug. Can use it in the microwave, it won't stain like plastic does and with a handle can even eat the beans / noodles straight out of it. My handiest student piece!

A few sturdy one pint plastic beakers. Nothing worse than an accidentally smashed glass in a student bedroom at 2am! Either by partying or studying late

Varies depending on university, some provide kettle, toaster etc. Dd took set of pans, cutlery, plates, wooden spoon, serving spoon, colander, knives, chopping board but also baking stuff as she cooks properly including selling cakes to friends! Don't buy anything good, use stuff you have or do an asda run

I can’t speak for all unis but the one I work at does not require anything that students bring to be PAT tested. We just wouldn’t be able to police that, how do we know what they’re plugging in?! They bring all sorts, from blenders to waffle makers etc. Most of our halls don’t actually provide a toaster as there is a grill, but they all have a kettle and microwave. I do however agree with not buying a toaster until you get there and letting him sort it out with his housemates as cupboard space is really at a premium in halls and the last thing you need is 10 toasters! I’d actually say go for the toastie maker though, he’ll be able to take that on to second and third year