What kit do students need?

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

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?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned hot-water bottle.

DD finished her 1st year and said definitely item she used most was her foreman grill (quick to cook sausages/chicken breasts/bacon) and Nutribullet (for fruity/chocolatey milkshakes). Also door stop & apparently to help make friends with flatmates it's good to have a bottle of some kind of booze to offer/share . She had a new shower curtain as the original one in her ensuite was grotty (but check as some unis don't use curtains), and found these solved the problem of limited wardrobe space (but she DID bring a LOT of clothes with her!) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018JMMCLU/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_wg=aiQKU&hsa_cr_id=7336573070602&ref=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_img&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_w=xSPiX&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&aaxitk=0759e8f424b9a14a0dfe413cc7cfb29c&pd_rd_r=80924a13-8b19-4fd9-be34-a116e7ad4fa7

May I join? I too have the panicky feelings! My first and only kids are both off to university in 5 week's time (one is literally counting down the days...) Both in self-catered halls.

DT1 has made a list and is itching to do an Ikea trip, but as we have 2 to equip, I wanted to ask if there was anywhere cheaper?

I like the sound of Wilko coloured cutlery, just have to convince the kids :)

And DT2 is after a full length mirror too, top of her list. Sigh.

@SusannahSophia Do the Hammam towels work well for females too? Are they absorbent and 'fluffy' feeling?

@fortyfifty, they aren’t at all fluffy or soft, but absorbent and the advantage is they dry quickly. They are quite thin.

@ASDmum2, I got DS some induction hob (and all other hobs) suitable pans, a small nest of 3 called Annons for £7.50 at IKEA. Some of their stuff isn’t that cheap but cutlery, utensils and pans definitely are.

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/annons-5-piece-cookware-set-glass-stainless-steel-90207402/

They are small pans, though.

Flat bottom sheets. Lots of the single beds are extra long and normal fitted sheets don't fit.

Check the college handbook to see what is allowed in rooms - eg My D1 was only allowed battery operated fairy lights, not mains, and could have a kettle, but it had to be on a tray.

She chose one of those boxes of plates (4 of everything) but just took 1 or 2, leaving the rest at home for spares. Ditto cutlery (with coloured handles) and glasses.
A couple of favourite mugs.
A kettle and a tray to put it on, an extension lead.

Her tiny shared kitchen only had microwaves and fridges, so microwave noodle and soup pots.

Bedding - a mattress topper and a waterproof mattress cover, pillow with protector, 2 x fitted sheets and a coverless duvet - I got one from John Lewis, but I noticed M&S are now doing them too. These are brilliant, light, soft and warm and wash and dry really quickly.

Bath and hand towel, Turkish Hammam towel for swimming. Shower caddy with a hook.

Picnic rug (I think the college suggested this, in case of outdoor tutorials, I don't think this actually happened - but she and her household used it anyway.)

A laundry bag (a blue Ikea bag would do just as well, and these are ideal for packing stuff and squashing into the car then storing under the bed) a small clothes horse.

A first aid kit in a little makeup bag.

What wasn't useful - over the door hooks which didn't fit her door. Over radiator towel rails - didn't fit her radiator. She chose a doorstop but left it at home. I don't think she used the little sewing kit, but I suppose that's a just in case thing.

I did a gift bag of - favourite teabags in a caddy, sachets of hotchoc, chocolate brownies, novelty drawing pins, couple of family pictures etc.

Halfway through term I sent her a mini coffee maker which takes eco capsules this one which she loves.

She also took a box of books and a suitcase and rucksack of clothes.

This all fitted in our Skoda Citigo for the 300 mile trip!

I am about to send a young foreign relative off to uni in uk and need to kit him out - I sent my elder two off with 2 dinner plates, 2 bowls and 2 side plates but an now wondering why - isn’t one of each enough? Might encourage washing up too.

I would add to these suggestions a big plastic jug for mixing cocktails - seems to be the current vogue and anyone with a jug is prescient snd cool apparently 🤣

Oh, mine had 2 of everything as well, would they not have friends over for food? Even I had at least 2 in my previous life at uni.

Having two to start with also covers the first instance of breaking something when there is no possibility of replacing it before the next time you need to use it.

Not necessary if you choose melamine rather than china, I suppose? (some places do some really attractive 'picnicware').

Little plug in heater. Contraband, but can be stored in wardrobe when not in use. I did 2 years in halls, both freezing!!

A big snuggly blanket! Packs of antibac wipes (even more essential if sharing a bathroom, ours were revolting in first year).

The over door clothes airer mentioned above is a good idea!

How do people pay for the laundry room? Not sure if it's all card based now, but donkeys years ago, we needed a lot of change. A laundry bag (aka big IKEA bag) is a good idea).

Ha ha regarding the heater. One of the first things DC bought was a fan.It was absolutely awful, sun straight on his big window which couldn't be opened properly.

All laundry paid by card. Dc1 actually shared washing with friends, so they had a full washing machine rather than they all had a half full load

Anyone recommend a brand of noise cancelling headphones? DD likes her sleep but has taken a job in halls with a party reputation for second year. Looking for headphones which can be worn frequently (ie most of the time she isn't on duty).