What’s on your uni shopping list?

[SkygardenTower]

Now results day has gone and most know where they are going I thought I would be nice to have a planning thread on what to take to university.

Argos do a basic starter set which looks good value. Starter kitchen set

Then IKEA for some bakewear, duvet and pillows and duvet sets.

I was joking about giving her the old towels but will probably give her some new ones.

Vacuum storage bags to make transport easier. Vacuum bags

Then a rice cooker (we have one at home so I know she will use it a lot and you can cook a lot more than just rice). Mini rice cooker

What is on your list?

Most the things in the starter kits wouldn’t get used by dd, cooking isn’t her thing. I have got her a microwaveable sandwich toastie thing and I might get her a air fryer if she’s allowed one. So far I have bought…

2 sets of bedding
3 bath towels
1 smaller towel
tea towels
pizza cutter
wooden spoon (won’t get used)
plastic measuring jug
cutlery
knifes
spatular
chopping board
mug x 2
glass tumblers x 2
cereal bowls x 2
dinner plates x 2
oven gloves
bathroom mats
bathroom bin
bid side touch lamp

I still have lots to get including a duvet, pillows, mattress topper, extension lead, spare phone chargers etc..

My advice is take a tape measure and work out what they need and have room for when they arrive, then order it online eg they will need a laundry airer, radiator ones take up less space but don't fit all radiators. Check that the bed is a standard single (one of mine got an extra large single and was warned to bring flat sheets, the other got a double but didn't know until they got there).

If they are in university halls:

Everyone will have white Ikea/Argos plates. Coloured plates and mugs are easier to reclaim when they inevitably get "borrowed".

Non stick stuff will get scratched by someone "borrowing" it.

Find out what cooking utensils are provided and how much space they have before you buy loads of stuff. Mine had one lockable kitchen cupboard and one fridge shelf/freezer drawer. Often, flatmates will get together online before they move in and organise sharing kitchen equipment.

Check what is electrical equipment is allowed. Fairy lights, kettles, rice cookers, slow cookers etc are often banned.

If you have Ikea Drona or Skubb boxes or drawer organisers, stacking shoe boxes, plastic stacking crates or underbed boxes etc, they are great for transporting stuff and (if they fit) can be used as extra storage if they need it. If they don't need them, take them back.

Extra pillows, cushions or a spare duvet for overnight guests wrapped in fabric are good for turning a bed into a "sofa".

My eldest sent out an SOS for a fruit bowl after a week!!!! A door wedge- useful in the first weeks to have an open door. Agree with under bed storage boxes- but may be worth popping out to Wilko/Range etc when you see if they will fit under the bed- unless you pack into them and then take back if no room for them.
Clothes airer.
If DC has an en suite bathroom a small free standing caddy is worth thinking about, as there is never enough shelf space. Otherwise those travel washbags that hang on a hook is a good shout for taking stuff to the bathroom.
Also both took tools sets- with small screwdrivers, sockets, pliers etc- a bit like these, both found that loads of people asked to borrow it.
shop.rnli.org/products/tool-set-in-a-tin?variant=32652100632672&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr4eYBhDrARIsANPywChvBxXMvCOt2f9qrBxrvI2gMA42Ml4Fz4Szl9rTjuoPLyBDW6L83wsaAs7wEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
or
www.amazon.co.uk/Mannesmann-Multi-Purpose-Tool-Kit-Pieces/dp/B000B9RK58/ref=asc_df_B000B9RK58/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=258536951956&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16586301083342995622&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007131&hvtargid=pla-423062755116&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Marking...

If in halls, warn them that the room will look very bare and like a cell when they first arrive. Job 1 is to put a brightly coloured duvet cover on the bed. It will cheer the room up quickly and make it look much more homely!

I love this. Mine are 9 & 2 so it’s all a long way off for me, but it’s taking me back to my first day at Uni, and the lovely hot pink duvet cover I took with me. Thanks, ladies! As you were.

You will also have the problem that all this stuff comes home every summer.
You have to find space for it. And have transport large enough to move it all.

(And if you have 2 or more away at the same time it is a biiiiig issue)

So would make sure not to overbuy too.

@BeyondMyWits - I've been thinking about this and wondered if people try to store things for the summer months rather than bring them home?

If I was in this position I'd buy everything cheap as possible from Basics ranges at the shops as over the course of the next 3+ years at least some of it is going to get knicked, damaged or plain broken by fellow flatmates or other residents on the same corridor if in halls.

Only buy decent when you're moving into your own place.

So far we have purchased or got together for DS:

1 set of bedding (giving him one from home as a spare)
2 bath towels (1 new/1 from home)
1 smaller hand towel
2 x tea towels
wooden spoon
plastic measuring jug
cutlery
knifes
spatular
chopping board (plastic)
mugs x 2 (we purchased a set of 4 of each this and the three items below white from M&S £15 and £4 for 4 mugs and will save two of each for DD who will go next year)
glasses x 2
bowls x 2
dinner plates x 2
cutlery Dunelm (bright handles set of 4 of each will keep 2 of each for DD). Also students get 10% off.
small wok (new)
old pan (which can go on the hob and in the oven)
tin opener
a couple of doorstops (Amazon)
a new monitor for his room (he went halfers with us for this)
small pot of coffee (Home bargains)
vanish bar (DH bought buy 1 get 1 free)
large bottle of shampoo (as above)
bottle opener
Toiletries Dirty hair stuff, Deodorant and shower gel

still to buy

maybe a mattress topper
possibly sliders depending on what type of room he is allocated and what the bathroom set up is
gown (he has been allocated a gowned college at Durham)
possibly smart jacket/blazer and dark trousers
possibly black dinner suit, shirt and bow tie
also going to get some vitamin C, condoms, plasters, tissues, lockets and paracetamols
sponge cleaner
microfibre cloths x 2
anti bac spray
maybe a plastic cactus for his window sill
cheap rug for his room to make it look and feel homely
He also needs some more clothes as he has really shot up and to minimise washing and a new jacket to keep him warm
basic shopping items
not sure about storage solutions for his room but taking a tape measure is a good shout @chesirecat99 or what storage to use to take it in cardboard boxes, plastic boxes, Ikea bags etc.

Do all parents get so involved with setting their DC off to uni? Mine are a few years off (if they go at all) & I would really hope they'd be more independent by then. When I went my parents literally drove me there.. I packed my own stuff, shopped for what I needed & set my room up as I wanted it. I know it was 25 years ago, but do we really need to prep & pack right down to the condoms for them these days??!

@twordle my daughter would probably do the same as you but still expect us to pay for the lions share. Daughters are generally much more independent than sons incase you don’t have any sons.

Also please don’t forget this generation due to covid and lockdowns are lacking in a year or twos less life experience/maturity, missed out on a lot and led very much more sheltered/protected lives than you probably did 25 years ago. Maybe the condoms is over the top it was just a thought to keep him and any future girlfriends safe.

@Wordlewobble good point- I hadn't considered the pandemic fall out. I've got one of each, early teens ..& already know DS is MUCH less self sufficient then DD! Good luck to your DS, hope he has a great time!

Nope. Just provided the odd prod in the right direction from time to time.

What mine found they needed in halls first year that they ran out of were socks and paper. Always many more pairs of socks and underwear...

laundry costs a lot, time and money wise, so if they can bring it home or do one big load every 3 or 4 weeks that helps. And decent quality paper for note taking. That became hard to get during covid... non essential purchase etc.

A rice cooker?????
I'd say most students use microwaveable pouches of rice - much more economical

Not directly linked to the OP's post, but a little tip I was given before my first DC went off to university. Put a little blob of nail varnish on all kitchen items. Stuff will get mixed up with /used by other room mates and this is an easy way to sort out who owns what.

The nail varnish tip is a good one.

As a family we cook rice about 3 times a week and use the rice cooker for a few other things as well, it also works as a slow cooker, steamer or you can bake in it. If you get a multi layered one you can cook most of your meal in it. I am always surprised they aren’t more popular.

My daughter is sorting out most of her stuff, I am just excited for the next stage in her journey and enjoy planning along side her.

You and they will feel great going off to Uni with lots of brand new stuff but the reality (if they are living in halls sharing a kitchen with 4 - 6 others) is that lots of it will disappear. Light coloured bedding/towels will come back grey - especially if they've got lots of dark coloured clothing.
Don't buy a door wedge - lots of the accommodation has fire doors so door wedges aren't allowed. DS got told off during a room inspection and his wedge was only lying on the bookshelf.
Beds (especially in modern accommodation) are often small doubles (ie 4ft) so check before buying fitted sheets.

I’ve never used pouch rice but I can’t imagine them being more economical than regular rice unless they rarely eat rice.

I've never quite got why it's always reported that students bring their laundry home for their mum's to wash. What launderette do they use that the bus or train ticket is cheaper?

I think ikea is the fanciest brand I am going look at! Good point about light sheets though, I might buy already grey ones, I think grey is fashionable at the moment.

I agree with socks and pants, the more you have the longer between trips to the launderette. Laundry sheets/ leaves might be useful, rather than having to store powder or liquid (might just be me but I reacted to the powder at the laundrette so had to supply my own). And those colour catcher sheets so can do a mixed load.

Make sure you find out what kind of hobs the kitchens have. I found out literally on the day we went shopping for younger daughter's kitchen stuff that they had induction hobs so the pans I was intending to buy wouldn't work.

We are buying the minimum, most of the stuff she is taking is stuff we have already. I'll have a new frying pan instead!

I would prefer to take less stuff and get odd bits as needed. Good tip re the white plates etc!

We do have a caddy for the bathroom but need to get clothes dryer.

Electrical kitchen appliances may well not be allowed as they will not have been checked by the maintenance team as being safe. They may well also be nicked in fairly short order!

Great tips! Thanks everyone.

I suppose I need to make sure I don’t get over excited and overspend. So this thread is very useful.

Kitchen wise, it might be an idea to get a sense of what has been left over from previous students that can be communally used.

Perhaps a plastic kitchen bowl to store dirty utensils if dcs have trouble washing up as they go. Hopefully, they’ll wash everything up at once on a daily basis!