University kit list

[Runningincircles]

If everything goes to plan, my DS will be going to University this September.

I'm trying to spread the cost of preparing for this. I bought a few things from Sainsbury's sale this morning and a I've made a list of things that I think he will need. I will try to get some things from charity shops.
Can you think of any things to add to the list?

Plates
Bowls
Mugs
✓ Cutlery
Pans 2-3
✓ Frying pan
✓ Wok
✓ Baking tray
Pizza tray
✓ Tin opener
Bucket
Bin
Laundry basket
Dust pan & brush
Bin
Knifes
Printer
Printer Paper
Stationery
First aid kit
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Condoms
Duvet
Pillows

The best thing you can do for your DS is to give him a budget and let him sort it out for himself!

He won't need a printer or paper. The libraries provide it

And please to God Don't buy condoms for your child 😂

I work in a Uni Accommodation site.
I really wouldn't bother buying anything for the kitchen just yet, by all means put money aside but want until you know where they're staying. If it's a shared flat they may want to split the cost of some items with their flatmates. As PP have said you don't know the hob or oven type. Some sites have ridiculous combi microwave ovens which are tiny, half of the baking trays never fit.

Most beds are small doubles, 100% buy a decent mattress protector and take a photo of the mattress condition at move in and if its stained send this to the site maintenance team as proof. Majority of disputes at the end of the tenancy are due to stained mattresses. Vile.

Also, I'd strongly recommend not buying anything in the shoos except first night essentials. The smart students have a Wilko/Ikea/Dunelm delivery booked for the day after they move in.
The same for the initial food shop.

Really no rush to do this, you can just put the money aside and or buy a few things each month within your budget. DDs accommodation was not confirmed until very late after results so everything was bought in one trip to Dunelm at the last minute.

@Soontobe60 why ? What difference does it make if they buy it or you ? My ds was more than happy for us to pick up , we knew roughly what he liked / needed / wanted and I picked bits up here and there to spread cost
If they are happy for you you to get whats the odds

Thanks for all the help so far.
I've added and removed a few things from the list.
The info on Dunelm discount is really useful, as is booking a delivery slot for the day after he starts uni.

I will be getting things over the next few months. It won't make him reliant or less independent than any other student.
My parents bought things to set me up when I started uni. I still managed to work every weekend and holiday to support myself financially whilst doing my degree.

DS in second year and never yet needed a printer. Mattress protector and mattress topper are sensible buys as mattresses aren’t always that comfy.

DS says best thing he has is the clothing drying pod I got from Lakeland, and an airer from Dunelm.

Definitely a laundry bag not a basket because you normally have to walk to the laundry and back.

Get coloured china - everyone gets white and it gets nicked so coloured plates etc stand out amidst all the white. Ditto cutlery with bright handles.

I don’t think parents need to buy condoms for their teens, dd said that fellow students were horrified when their parents did this. Students should know well before university about safe sex and contraception.

I would perhaps leave them with food basics as day after moved in may want to keep flexible to be either sleeping off night before or be out exploring. We set room up then went to nearest supermarket for basics and few days of meals. We also got him a pack of beer which he enjoyed sharing with new flat mates on 1st night.

I don't really see condoms being any different to paracetamol, or a first aid kit. It is just a health item that he might need. He can buy his own and will do that when he runs out.

At both of the universities that mine attend the Students' Union give out free condoms, especially during Freshers Week, so he'll likely have plenty.

Definitely worth hanging on a bit until you know which Uni and what sort of accommodation. My DB was in fully catered halls in his first year and my uni provided bed linen which was changed fortnightly. Pretty sure I managed with one saucepan and one frying pan (no wok) and never used a brush and dustpan in my whole three years. You also need to have in mind how far parking will be when dropping off at halls, and not having masses more stuff than you need. We had to clear our rooms every holiday (Christmas, Easter, summer) except for one locked cupboard, as it was used for conference accommodation. Will a printer be needed or are assignments all submitted online? I used to wash small items of laundry by hand as I hated the launderette, so my clothes airer was really useful. I also had a kettle in my room, so that I didn’t always have to go to the kitchen for hot water. Extension lead was invaluable for extra sockets.

My son went into catered halls. He flew back to uni from overseas with mainly clothes. Everything else was a big Tesco delivery timed to arrive when he did. There were lots of Amazon deliveries in the early days but he didn't need that much.

This was this list DS was sent:

Essential
Bedding (pillows, duvet, mattress topper, sheets, blankets etc.)
Towels
Toiletries & Medication
Stationery & Bag
Clothing, Coats & Shoes
Coat Hangers
Photo ID & other important documents
Debit Cards & Cash
Decorations (bunting, posters, battery operated fairy lights etc.)
Drinks & Snacks

Optional
Laptop or Computer & Printer
Bluetooth speakers / Headphones / Camera
Planner
Desk Lamp
Cups, Glasses, Crockery & Cutlery Cooking Utensils
Sports & Hobby items
Clothes Horse
Formal wear & fancy dress
Dressing Gown & Slippers

Not permitted
Door wedges; fridges; large televisions; portable heaters; mains powered fairy lights; candles or incense; pets or animals; drinking games or paraphernalia; hotplates; combination ovens; toastie makers; coffee machines; rice cookers; pressure cookers; slow cookers; electric clothes airers

Tip DD got from one student alternative prospectus was to pick a wacky colour and go with that for utensils so as one Christmas gift she got a set of silicone utensils and tea towels which if she doesn’t need (depending on where she goes) are still a colour she likes and will suit a new home. I think DD appreciated the sentiment more than the gift though! I am putting some money aside already each month to help for when she needs it. She is also looking at summer jobs, some of which open their applications in the New Year.

Some of the items on the same prospectus are not something to buy now as she wouldn’t need them if she got an en-suite but would if she got shared bathroom etc, most notably slippers for cold hall and a shower basket or shower mesh thing to go from room to bathroom.

Hint. You need less than you think. Mum's Uni list is like a 'what to buy for a baby list- mostly un-needed and never used.

Printer and paper, good that this is provided as it will allow the First thing they should print to be a guide on how to distance themselves from an overbearing parent. 😂😂

WOW

Assuming self catered accommodation? A big cooking pot and a pyrex casserole dish to batch cook pasta bakes and stuff in. MN seem to believe all students live on super noodles and sandwiches but when I was in self catering halls, we did that a lot.

If sharing a flat in Halls, there is very little space for storing bug pots.
There is even less space for freezing batch cooked meals. They usually get a single shelf in the fridge and a single freezer drawer (although can be less than that!).

Definitely don’t need a printer-uni printer will be cheaper. DS needs to get a holiday job and buy what they need-but I’d buy as little as possible as assuming they go to a city uni they can buy any

Anything else they need once there

Just basing it on my experience. I had a a large cupboard for pots and pans, one for crockery and shared a fridge and freezer with 2 others.

Bedding will need to know Bed size as some single but some are small doubles.

We just bought a normal double from the start. Means she could use it at subsequent accommodation and also swap it with the one at home.. She had the same washable covered duvet at home and university, so when she came home for end of terms, and sometimes mid term, id being picked up or dropped off we took clean set from hime and swapped it with her one at university. Although she could, and did, occasionally wash it herself there it was much easier to do it at home as had bigger machine and didn't have to spend a fortune at the hall's laundrette carrying it back and forth.

@Phos at a recent open day the flat we looked in had one small top and one small bottom cupboard per student and two fridge/freezers between 12. It was half a shelf in fridge and freezer each.

we got DC a Noah student starter box, it was cheaper than buying everything separately and had everything needed in it. Then add the other bits to it.
we also got separate bedding in addition to the bedding in the Noah kit so there was more than one set. I’d suggest getting flat sheets not fitted as the beds are a weird size at DC1’s uni. The uni also provided mattress protectors but I had bought a separate one anyway.

depending on uni think DC1 does need a printer, DC2 won’t as uni provides top ups to printing costs.