Packing list for halls

[NigellaAwesome]

I'm not sure if this has been done already, but does anyone have any top tips for what a first year going into halls should be bringing with them?

So far I have been told that a mattress topper is a good idea, but I have absolutely no idea about anything else - e.g. what kitchen items to bring. DD is planning to study in September in the same city we live in, but wants to stay in halls for the first year then private accommodation after that (so we aren't really constrained by what can be brought on a single car trip).

I know it seems early to be thinking of this, but I am in the process of sorting my parent's estate, and there may well be household items that would be useful for DD to hold on to.

I'd be grateful for any tips.

I am dreading ds's moving day! It's likely he'll be in central London, so we'll be lugging all his stuff by train and tube.

There's a good one on wiwikau, we used it as a guide and bought mainly from charity shops/ marketplace

Note magnets (and whiteboard for desk if there isn’t one)

We paid for a box to be mailed FriendlyLaundryMonster as uni was a flight away, much cheaper than we expected and removed all the bulk/cookware from luggage.

Oh and gang socket for your tech list!

Before buying boards & pictures check that they are allowed to attach things to the walls....

For DS we are planning on letting him settle in for a week or 2 with minimal stuff and then getting him what he wants, needs and is allowed. We wasted a lot of money on "essentials" that weren't used.

If you are vertically challenged, a folding step stool is a must to make use of the top wardrobe cupboards

Insulated travel mug, for DIY hot drinks or saving on the disposable cup charge around campus

Clothes airer and a laundry bag that you can lug to laundry room eg bag for life or ikea blue bag.

A bucket or bowl or collapsible bowl (soaking undies, catching vomit, chilling beers)

A (washable) rug for when you and your mates are chilling on the (inevitability grotty) carpet.

Plastic boxes or oiled takeaway containers for the fridge (to keep your food safe from other people and their grotty fridge habits)

Pyrex jug, serves a multitude of cooking needs/emergency drinking glass

Ah, the bed had a mattress protector. Isn't a topper an extra thin mattress? Still, a whole can of beer, a topper might have been good for that!

I misread topper (or skim read... not sure! I was chuckling at the memory of DS phoning saying "what do I dooooooo?!")

Was going to say this.

Also, remember that space in communal areas is very very small. They'll have one food cupboard, a shelf in the communal fridge and, if lucky, a drawer for cutlery.

We came over from abroad so we're limited anyway, I ordered the kitchen starter pack from the uni and a starter pack of pans from M&S. Some kids moving in literally had enough kitchen equipment to feed the entire 13 people house and set up their first marital home. Unfortunately no space to keep it in the kitchen.

I had to help a lad approach another boy who, with his mum, had taken his cupboard (despite room numbers being on them) as he had too much stuff.

Wait and see for mattress toppers etc. My daughter says her bed at university is comfier than the one at home.

Things we were told to buy that never got used: door stoppers and over door hangers.

Very rare also for lamps etc to be allowed from outside. Dd's university provided safety checked bedside lamps. Electricals in general tend to have to be checked and approved by maintenance before they're allowed.

why a attress topper? Are they generally uncomfortable?

My spoilt DS has a double bed with memory foam mattress so he is worried about this ..

Air fryer
Doorstops!

Often like camp beds with the chicken wire base and a thin old lumpy mattress that sags in the middle.

Uni/hall will arrange a PAT testing day during freshers for electricals brought from home.

@SmartHome definitely a topper is needed!

DS1 misses his comfortable double bed at home especially as he's in a single bed at his uni halls. The mattress there is pretty uncomfortable so was pleased when I sent him back after Christmas with a topper.

I also suggest a hand held hoover. Although the uni hall and rooms are hoovered, DS1 wasn't happy to wait for the fortnightly clean, so we bought him a VAX hoover.

Within 30 mins it was charged and used.

@FriendlyLaundryMonster yes it'll be my first central London uni move too. Ds is not bothered by furnishings at all. So I'm thinking he can take his phone and laptop and clothes. Then we will buy or order in everything else. The timing of bedding might be a bit tricky though. I noticed amazon style lockers on campus though.

Open to suggestions from anyone else that has done public transport moves?

@stilldumdedumming @FriendlyLaundryMonster as @ealingwestmum says, it may be cheaper to pay for a luggage/box moving service. We're looking at one called My Baggage - has been recommended on a FB site (I haven't used them so can't vouch for it) but looks very reasonable and quite straightforward.

@Africa2go thanks! That is pretty reasonable! And cheaper than me asking a muscly friend to help me on public transport! (I'm not pathetic but have a mobility thing!). He won't have much - whereas dd absolutely crammed the car full - but it is more convenient.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will look into these.

A doorstop and a washing up bowl - useful for transporting washing up between the kitchen and their room.

DD is very independent, so effectively did her own research on what to take. She ended up taking clothes, laptop, a mattress topper, a couple plates, cups, bowls, cutlery and laptop. She ordered bedding through uni. She was in catered halls with a large shared kitchen which had things like kettles, microwave, cups, plates, utensils, a few saucepans . She managed to locate her room mate on line and they agreed in advance to go off shopping together in the next day for anything they really needed. In years 2-4 she shared with other students and they each bought a few agreed items for the flat.

Prescription medication, prescription list, passport / driving licence for ID. Basic first aid kit, nail clippers, food for the first night or two

Definitely take a 4 plug extension thingie. I would also recommend slides (slippers), shower mat, lightweight plastic hangers, over door hooks, door wedge, an IKEA blue zip up bag to use as a laundry bin, the EcoEgg instead of washing tablets, and for other stuff, feel free to PM me for recommendations.

I’m watching this with interest, so far I’ve bought a lot of the basics.

I bought a cheap battery lamp/ torch from Aldi and scissors to add to the list.