What to take to university?

[BecauseImWorthIt]

DS1 is - hopefully - off to university in September/October, and I'm starting to think of all kinds of practical things (not least of which is money!)

I want to make sure that we send him off with enough stuff, but not too much, IYSWIM. Those of you who have already been through this, can you tell me what the absolute essential things were, and what you forgot to send your son/daughter with/wished you had sent them with?

Hopefully he will be in self catering, university accommodation, but I don't yet have any idea what kind of basic stuff is likely to be provided, so I'm assuming we'll send him off with everything!

I know that from his point of view as long as he has his guitar and his phone he will think he's fine, but I suspect that won't be enough ... !

[PattyPenguin]

There's also a list on the Student Room website www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/What_To_Take_To_University

Past and present students have contributed to it, as you can probably tell.

[PattyPenguin]

With the link done properly, this time.

There's also a list on the Student Room website www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/What_To_Take_To_University

Past and present students have contributed to it, as you can probably tell.

[Samso]

I've read through this list, the only reason I recommend www.what2take.net is because it seems to recommend specific items such as student recipe books and also good insurance companies for students. Both worth their weight in gold when it comes to packing though!

[Bonsoir]

When I went to university, many years ago, my mother drove me with a suitcase of clothes. We took a look at my room and then headed straight off to John Lewis/Habitat to buy bedding/saucepans/bedside light etc.

[alreadytaken]

don't take too much and be aware that any electrical may have to be new with receipt or checked by an electrician.

Alcohol, cake, (illegal) door wedge, decent corkscrew, cookbook, condoms. Instead of soap powder if you can still get them the capsule type washing things so you don't have to take a box/bottle with you. A box of colour catcher sheets for boys. Safety pins. Storage boxes that will fit under the bed - probably best to buy them when you get there and can measure the bed height. A nice rug for the floor, one thick enough for friends to sleep on.

[Milliways]

A Spider Catcher

DD had to find a Vet Student to get the mahoosive spiders out of her room so we got her a gadget!

Agree with Fancy Dress costumes
Loads of extension cables/,multi socket plugs etc
Heated blanket & proper pillow.
A decent bike lock

[goingmadinthecountry]

The list on TSR suggests a melon baller for self catered students!

[RagingDull]

im just doing this now - i asked a friend what her lad took with him.

this is my list so far. i hope it helps. DS is going next week

toiletries
towels

frying pan
saucepan
cutlery
utensils (wooden spoon, slotted spoon, fishslice scissors)
toaster
kettle

cooking oil
food (tins, soup, beans, eggs, bread, butter, milk, cereal)
washing up liquid
washing up sponge

hairbrush
coathangers

bedding
pillows

laptop
printer
ink
paper

mugs
glasses
cleaning products for en suite
washing powder
lenor
washing basket
small plastic basket for cleaning products etc

alarm clock
lamp

thats our list so far......

[Lilymaid]

"A Spider Catcher " - I remember going into my university hall room and finding it full of daddy long legs. As it was the "first day of the rest of my life" as far as I was concerned, I proudly got them out of my room by myself. Nowadays, I would shout for DH to deal with them!

[fussychica]

Watch electrical like toasters and kettles etc many Uni's don't allow them in halls and TVs etc have to be PAT tested - check your accommodation website/agreement.
Ear Plugs

[Maat]

Those collapsible storage boxes are great to cart stuff to university then slip under the bed.

DS1 also used them for taking washing to the laundry and carting dirty plates to the kitchen (imagine that! - he doesn't do that at home )

Cheap tupperware for storing things in the communal fridge (he can put his name on)

earplugs!

[Faxthatpam]

Door wedge and beer v good for making new friends on first evening. Clothes airer (which he made faces about when I got it) was essential and everyone borrowed it. A cheap wok is a good buy too.

Oh, and you will probably need tissues for the drive home. Good luck!

[outtolunchagain]

Currently attempting to get ds's stuff together ,as of yesterday had packed a library of favourite paperbacks but no clothesHave gone for basic cooking equipment ;lidded frying pan,saucepan,small wok ,baking sheet ,cheese grater ! Seems quite a lot but I was catered in the first year, so I'm not sure how much is needed.There do also seem quite a lot of clothes done of which I had forgotten he had

[Faxthatpam]

Let him do his clothes, I just made sure everything was washed and ready, he went through them all and had a good clear out. Oh and I made sure he knew what was expected - formal stuff and freshers fancy dress! I got plates/bowls/cutlery too - and a bottle opener is very important for some reason.

[Doingmybestmum]

Hi, just thinking it might be time to resurrect this discussion. My DD is about to go into 2nd year - so what we know: pack lots of those colour run sheets - even if your darlings di differentiate between filthy jeans and white shirts/tshirts etc, they won't by the end of term. A travel kettle in the bedroom can be a life saver. Find out what the washing/drying machines take and provide a tin and a starter contribution. Take them on a supermarket shop before they go and give them a budget - before they go get them to find the nearest Aldi/Lidl. Let them skype you/call you - resist anything other than texting for the first week if you can. They will love it. :)

[muffinmonster]

doingmybest, there's a current thread here

[wishfulthinker12]

This site has been really helpful in prepping my DD for uni! Don't know how we;d have gotten through the experience both sane without it! mystudentpack.refr.cc/PG874K6

[wishfulthinker12]

Whoops, ignore previous post, was reading the posts without looking at the dates!