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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

What kit do students need?

67 replies

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 13/06/2021 14:51

First born is off to study in September. I was a student, but back in the analogue days.

What do students need? She's got a place in halls, so I'm assuming she needs a mattress topper, bedding, a bit of cleaning stuff, a sleeping bag, a laptop and a shedload of berocca and condoms.

What was the most useful thing your kid got? And what was the most useless?

OP posts:
Longtimenewsee · 13/06/2021 17:43

Quick Google found this list..
www.savethestudent.org/accommodation/what-to-take-to-university.html

Delphigirl · 13/06/2021 18:31

Extension cords
Laundry bag
Flip flops/slides if shared bathroom
Airer for drying clothes
Shower caddy if shared shower
2 plates, 2 bowls 2 mugs etc - patterned or coloured not white
Saucepan and frying pan
Bedside/reading light can be useful
Most kids don’t want/need a printer but depends on kid and course
Extra pillows and blankets are v useful

Hellocatshome · 13/06/2021 18:33

Why would she need a sleeping bag? Duvet and duvet cover is a lot nicer to sleep in and more homely she's not camping!

MayIDestroyYou · 13/06/2021 18:37

Her university (?) will surely have provided a list of essential kit? I know the university we're currently preparing for has done so. Have you / has she thoroughly interrogated the website?

KittyMcKitty · 13/06/2021 18:37

A nice little rug can be good in case the carpets aren’t v nice.

I would also imagine A LOT of fairy lights from what I know of my friends dd’s at Uni.

Depending on what’s in hall kitchen equipment.

Why a sleeping bag?

StevieNix · 13/06/2021 18:40

Agree with your list
Not a sleeping bag though -Duvet, sheets and pillows
I had a large storage box I kept under my bed with packets of noodles, packets of pasta, jars of pasta sauce, tins of tuna, baked beans, soups etc incase money got tight I knew I had basic long life food - as they will be new to budgeting and probably splash too much money on drinking and nights out and be short at some point! - also with COVID and isolating it’s probably a really sensible idea!

NerrSnerr · 13/06/2021 18:42

@Hellocatshome

Why would she need a sleeping bag? Duvet and duvet cover is a lot nicer to sleep in and more homely she's not camping!
I used my sleeping bag loads as a student, visiting friends who have gone to other universities, for visiting friends, trips with clubs etc. I assume the OP meant duvet when she said bedding.
Seeline · 13/06/2021 18:45

I wouldn't get too much Ch until you are certain if where she is going.

Bed sizes vary considerably
Not all need a topper
Some kitchens require pans for induction hobs

Longtimenewsee · 13/06/2021 19:02

I know @Graphista! I googled and found the site and then spent ages reading loads of other links on it! Grin Have bookmarked now

cariadlet · 13/06/2021 19:02

My dd applied to defer when she applied for uni so isn't going to go until the following autumn but has already made herself a spreadsheet of what she wants to buy from where and has costed it!

She's been watching a lot of YouTube and tiktok videos from current students sharing what they took, what they used and what was a waste of money and space.

She's also been looking at accomodation websites for her first choice uni. They all seem to have room measurements, lists of what is supplied, suggestions of what each student should bring and what things students sharing should allocate between them (eg if there's no kettle, they don't need to bring one each). The photos give a pretty good idea of the amount of storage space available.

Your dd might find it helpful to do the same although if she's anything like mine, you'll need to go through the list and do a reality check with her. So far, I've managed to persuade mine to delete about £300 worth of "essentials" but I still want to try and encourage her to cut back more!

Delphigirl · 13/06/2021 19:12

They really don’t need much and especially wait tot buy kitchen stuff once she is allocated a flat and in a whatsapp group with her flatmates. They can divvy up colander, grater, sandwich toaster etc between them

MarchingFrogs · 13/06/2021 19:18

The accommodation terms and conditions will state what is supplied and - importantly, what items cannot be used. Mains-powered fairy lights almost certainly being one of the latter. Check also re extension leads, as these are not permitted in some accommodation.

Original poster
vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 13/06/2021 19:38

Yes, sleeping bag for staying at other people's flats, she's already got a yoga mat for pretending she's comfortable on the floor.

There are lists online, yes, but they vary and often what is on the lists are not what people actually use.

Hadn't thought about a printer, that's a good idea.

She's perfectly capable - I'm just trying to squash down the empty nest feelings. She's not even gone yet and I'm compensating with a need to -interfere support...

OP posts:
Graphista · 13/06/2021 20:23

Yea I've made a note too! It's a very useful site

Dd has told me to quit bugging her about this stuff while she's concentrating on finishing course/exams so she can focus, but once that's done I've said to her we need to sit down and work out what she needs.

She has a fair amount already as she moved out almost 3 years ago (older but not mature student so slightly different circumstances to most) but I've said to her

She doesn't have to take ALL her clothes at once just the ones she needs for this term (she's staying with relatives at the moment and will likely stay with them during uni holidays certainly she can store stuff with them)

She doesn't need to take ALL her kitchen equipment! She's a keen cook and has some nice/pricey items which I think would go walkabout! She needs to stick to basics! Eg kettle yes, bean to cup coffee maker not so much!

@cariadlet yea dds first choice have virtual tours of the accommodation and measurements etc. I also noticed - kitchen cabinets per student which lock! Which based on my own experiences as a student should have been brought in YEARS ago to stop pilfering/arguments about pilfering

Tip I gave mine - get your own washing up bowl and keep it in your room! That way if you've a flatmate/a who pile up the dishes without washing them you can segregate your own dirty dishes and wash just your own without getting suckered into becoming the "housekeeper" - male flatmates are buggers for this crap! Also 2 "shower caddies" one for toiletries and one for cleaning stuff so again you're not shelling out for and doing the cleaning for everyone but can clean the shower before using if necessary

On printers - bear in mind how easy and cheap the ink is! No good then having a printer if they can't get the ink easily.

Op mines is perfectly capable too this is just my way of showing support and how proud I am of her.

She ended up leaving school at 16 (mainly schools fault) and tbh I was worried she'd never find her way back to education. Was so sad for her.

Dilbertian · 13/06/2021 20:33

Ds was very pleased with his enamel bowls and plates. They were just Ikea, but nobody else had the same, they are indestructible, and they take up very little space.

cariadlet · 13/06/2021 20:38

@Graphista I really like the washing up bowl tip. I've been trying to get dd to take stuff off her list but that's one to add to it.

Graphista · 13/06/2021 23:14

@cariadlet happy to give a good idea. My first time at uni ENDLESS arguments about not being able to wash my dishes in 1st year then my mum (who's never been to uni) suggested I get my own bowl. So if push came to shove and the kitchen sink was completely overflowing I could at the very least use my kettle to wash up some dishes to use in my room - I had very slobby roommates, which considering we were trainer drs and nurses was worrying!

Enamel crockery is a good call! I have enamel pie and casserole dishes and they are definitely indestructible and easy to clean too.

seasonsofdoves · 14/06/2021 06:40

I don't think sleeping bag is one of things i would want. Anything to make her feel at home

Anything you'd want if you moved into a studio flat

Nice things to decorate her room, duvet and pillow
Lap top and iPad
Kitchen utensils. Plates, saucepans, frying pan, cutlery. Glasses, mug
Towels

poppycat10 · 14/06/2021 11:02

The posts about sleeping bags are so weird. Of course you need one if you are visiting friends.

Abetes · 14/06/2021 11:09

Sleeping bag for visiting friends is definitely a good idea - not for sleeping in her own room of course.
Second the pp who said that mains fairy lights aren't allowed. Dd is only allowed battery powered ones.
The thing everyone forgets is a tin opener. Lots of tins open with a ring pull of course but lots don't too especially from more budget supermarkets.

Seeline · 14/06/2021 11:12

Mine hasn't needed a printer - he can get it done at uni relatively cheaply.

The problem with enamel plates etc is that they can't be used in a microwave.

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 14/06/2021 11:13

double duvet (even if a single bed) as you can double it over to make it more comfortable to sit on the bed for socialising/watching TV etc

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 14/06/2021 11:16

We also found that bags for life were the best way of transporting stuff from home to uni, with a suitcase for clothes, then the excess bags fold up into the suitcase which is stored on top of the wardrobe. Boxes, other than underbed storage boxes take up too much space.

When DD2 moved into halls, because the student helpers could carry four bags at a time, the car was unloaded before she'd even got as far as exploring the kitchen Grin.

My house move next week might also be partly in bags for life - we now have a "family moving stash" of them [grin[