Whether you’re off to uni for the first time to live in halls, or you’re a second or third year moving into a student house, there are lots of things you’re going to need!
You might want to build up a student essentials stockpile in advance or do a big shop with your parents or new housemates when you’re all moved in. If it’s the first time you’ve lived away from home it can be hard to think of all the things you might possibly need. Take a look at our useful uni essentials below to make sure you don’t forget anything important…
You might be about to embark on the biggest adventure of your life, but first there are bin bags to buy!
Why not order all your student essentials online and have them delivered to the nearest store to your uni? Time it right, and it’ll be waiting for you when you get there!
Kitchen
Cooking and prep:
- Pots and pans
- Wooden spoon
- Spatula
- Baking tray
- Chopping board
- Knife block
- Mixing bowl
- Colander
- Measuring jug
- Kitchen scales
- Cheese grater
- Potato peeler
- Masher
- Can opener
- Corkscrew/bottle opener
Eating and drinking:
- Plates
- Bowls
- Mugs
- Glasses; tumblers, pint glasses, wine glasses, shot glasses (obviously)
- Cutlery
- Travel mug – perfect for those 9am lectures, yawn!
Storage:
- Boxes and containers – great for packed lunches and storing leftovers. Why not cook a big batch and freeze it for a quick and easy meal later?
- Jars and canisters (for tea, coffee and sugar – not forgetting biccies!)
- Aluminium foil
- Cling film
- Permanent marker for labelling your stuff or writing dates on anything you’re going to freeze
Cleaning and washing up:
- Rubber gloves
- Dish cloths
- Scourers
- Sponges
- Washing up liquid
- Kitchen cleaners
- Dusters
- Polish
- Bin bags
It’s worth checking which appliances will be supplied by your accommodation before you buy a toaster, kettle or any other bits and bobs – you could even speak to your new housemates and club together for the important stuff or delegate who’s going to buy what.
Actually, the same goes for stuff like milk, eggs, cheese and butter! Five of everything will soon fill up the fridge – and most likely end up being wasted. Try having a money jar for essentials and each pop in an agreed amount every week to keep it topped up.
Bedroom
- Duvet and pillows
- A couple of duvet covers (put one on while the other’s in the wash!)
- A couple of sheets and spare pillowcases
- Lamp for your bedside table or desk
- Washing basket or trug – something with handles for carrying your stuff down to the halls’ laundry room if you don’t have your own machine
- Foldable or radiator airer for drying your washing
- Plenty of coat hangers
- Storage bags or boxes – great for tucking away under the bed to give you more space
- Small bin
- Photo frames with pics of your friends and family will make your new room feel a bit more like home – choose a clip frame if you fancy making a collage
- Damage-free picture hanging strips – no need for blue tack and you won’t lose any of your deposit! Lifesaver!
Bathroom
Basics:
- A couple of hand towels and face cloths
- A couple of bath towels – like bedding, you can alternate washing and using these but having an extra one is also handy if you have a guest to stay
- Toothbrush holder and a soap dish (if you use bar soap)
- Toilet brush
- Shower curtain (depending on your shower)
- Bath mat
Bits and bobs:
- Toilet roll
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shower gel and soap
- Your favourite shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
- Pads and tampons (if you need them!)
- Condoms – yeah, that’s right, we said it!
- First aid kit, including: pain relief, cold and flu remedies (hello freshers flu!), hayfever tablets, diarrhoea and indigestion relief, plasters and any other medication you may need.
Lectures and uni work
- Pens
- Highlighters
- Pad or notebook – we also recommend the ‘things to do today pad‘ for getting yourself organised
- Ringbinder, lever-arch and box file
- Hole punch – this one clips in to your folder so you can take it with you
- Sticky notes and page markers
- Sturdy case for your laptop or tablet
You might also want to think about getting a printer for your room – it’s much easier than trekking to the library (where you’ll have to pay to print anyway).
Get all your student essentials or packing essentials sorted at wilko.com
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