Essentials list for DS starting university and moving into halls

[stripeypoodle]

Hello,

My DS is off to university in September and staying in the student halls of residence. I’m trying to make a list of items that I will need to buy for him if anyone can help with this please?

Duvet/mattress protector/ duvet cover/ fitted sheets/ laundry basket/desk light. Some decorative items for bedroom.

Bathroom bin/ toiletries holder/ toothbrush cup/towels/shower mat.

Cutlery/plates/bowls/utensils/ grater/meat thermometer/ storage tubs.

Laptop which will be his birthday present in August.

Am I missing anything?

Thanks

The logistics vary depending which UK country you’re in.

If you’re in England, it’s through pharmacies and bookings open for year 13 leavers tomorrow (Monday). All other under 25s going to uni for the first time will need to walk in to get vaccinated or book. They’ll start jabbing everyone eligible from Monday 20 July.

This is the NHS page to keep an eye on www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-a-menb-vaccination-appointment/

Has anyone mentioned ID and other important documents?

@StrangewaysHereWeComeI agree, who needs 6 cheese graters? Most students over supply and then worry about where all their stuff is? The minimum to start and storage is an issue if everyone brings a full kitchen!

Not just a mattress protector. A matress pad. University mattresses are plastic covered and so sweaty and uncomfortable. A thin mattress pad above makes the world of difference comfort-wise

My DD’s uni has a eco shop they pass on donated items for free. It’s open all year.They have so much stuff they struggle to give it away. All the charity shops near uni were rammed with stuff. Obviously depends on demographics but DD’s uni has a lot of wealthy international students who literally leave the lot behind. Expensive quality items. Home decor, electrical stuff, kitchen equipment, winter coats. I saw supermarket trolleys full of stuff when she moved out of halls yr1 eg a trolley of plastic jugs, one of kitchen spatulas. The eco shop has an instagram so you can see what’s available. I kept mentioning it on her uni parents facebook page as there’s no need to send them laden down they can get anything for free.

All of the above, plus a concertina file for important paperwork! Dd1 found it so helpful for stuff like her NI number letter/passport/etc, she also keeps her exam certificates in there I think.

Condoms

During the list discussion with our DS, we just suggested these and they were added to the list. No drama, just practical. Much better for the young person to have them on hand!

I’d just get the essentials that you know they’ll need and then assess once they are moved in. It’s easy to get carried away and buy stuff that doesn’t get used. What they need varies so much from room to room and you can easily order stuff to be delivered the next day.

Check with uno what type.of cooker the halls has. Dd2s halls had Induction hobs. Quqeu. 8 out of 10 students unbale to use the IKEA pots and pans they had purchased.

Dd2 and 1 other students pots and pans became the communal set for the year with a strict agreement you washed up immediately after use.

Also I find. Pots and pans are the one place not to buy cheap we got a basic John lewis set but they have lasted all of our children even after uni.

Scissors
Knowledge of how to use a laundrette.

Best to buy induction safe pots etc as even if uni halls don’t have induction hobs, possible that 2nd and 3rd year accommodation will do.

Yes, I'd just give him some money, it may be that the hall kitchens have cutlery, plates etc., there's no way of knowing until he goes there. Or get him to buy stuff and let you know what he's spent?
A lot of people seem to have their main meal in the uni canteen at lunchtime and just snack in the evening.

A door stop to prop the door open when he first moves in so his flat mates can say hi and some cake/biscuits to offer to new room mates.

He needs to see his accommodation before either of you seriously start buying stuff - there may be no space for a shower mat or only a small space needing a specific size of shower mat.

The bed size needs checking - some unis are using 4' beds rather than 3'6 ones - improving their ability to sell the rooms for conferences in the holidays. Even if it's a 3'6 bed, he may prefer a double duvet.

A fridge may be useful - or may not be if there's a kitchen with communal fridges. The same re a kettle.

Most kitchen stuff may end up being communal but worth him having a tin opener, potato peeler, some sharp knives and good kitchen scissors.

In my day, when I didn't have a kitchen at uni, I had two kettles - one for making coffee, one for boiling pasta. That works with quick cook pasta but that kettle only lasted about a year.

You will need a pillow with protector too and a bath mat, if he’s en-suite. Also a couple of plug banks, coat hangers, pans, oven tray, maybe a mixing bowl. Good luck. Our youngest just graduated so we’re out the other side now. One essential lesson I learned early on is when they move home at the end of the first year, unpack all their boxes, wash and clean everything. Then repack and label the boxes ready to go straight back in the car in September!!

An extra bin with bin liners for vomit after a good night out. My daughter’s extra bin was used most weeks by her friends who she used to look after when they’d had one too many! In fact they clubbed together and bought her a new one for secret Santa that first Christmas😂

Duvet protector, my Dd ruined a new duvet by spilling sweet and sour sauce on it, soaked right through to the duvet which had to be thrown away, all my duvets have protectors on now 🙄

Are sharp knives, chopping boards and pans already provided? If not, he'll need those.

Dish soap, sponge, tea towels. Cups, glasses,

Condoms

My Dds halls had BHF donation bins at reception, we donated a few bits, always worth a look in local charity shops. Her student union organised a trip to Ikea in the first week which I thought wasxa brilliant idea, check if there is anything similar for Ds

My Dds went in the charity bin, hardly used, she used the tumble driers in the laundry room at uni

Actually, your DS should be making his own list.

{A big challenge for me and many other amazing mums is sitting on my hands so that DCs can learn to think for themselves.)

Be aware that IKEA has a policy of not selling knives to under 21s! (even thought the legal age is 18 in UK) (Sainsbury's in my area has stopped selling them)

I tried to buy some sharp kitchen knives last summer for my DD18. The clerk cancelled the whole transaction! I rarely been so irritated in my life! I sent DD out to the car and quietly went back through a different queue.

My Daughter has just finished her 1st year and the things that she found useful: Lockable Box to keep the following:- Birth Certificate/ Passport/ National Insurance Number/ NHS Number etc; Air fryer, foldable heated clothes airer (she never used the dryers at Uni); fan/heater; mattress protector; extension cord with multi adaptors; under bed storage boxes; clothes hanger extender clips (small wardrobes lol); over door storage; shoe rack; Uno cards & card games (great way to get to know your new flatmates).

I bought my dd a plastic mixing bowl in matalan think it was £2. She was why mother but it was borrowed by many in her flat after a night out. She rang me poorly ill not drunk in yr 2 and said I’ve got the mixing bowl so it’s still going strong.

Id never used one of these before until I went to uni and one of my flatmates had one 😂 bloody brilliant they are! 15 years later we’re married and we always have a dishmatic in our kitchen 😂😂

Sorry if it's already been said - but condiments ( salt, olive oil, herbs etc) as they are expensive to buy on a students budget for only a small amount to be used each time

A small mending kit for sewing on buttons etc.