Essential items to pack for university

Congratulations to all those who received their results and got into their choice of university. This is such an exciting time and one I wish I could relive. This is the best bit; you know which university you are going to; you will start making a packing list and next will need to do a university shop! As it is time to start packing and shopping for university, I thought I would write a post on the essentials that have got me through university over the past three years. I now feel like an expert having had three years of university under my belt and now graduated. 

Don’t feel like you need to take everything with you. You don’t need to pack every single item from your bedroom at home as you won’t have the space at university and won’t use everything you bring. Most people will go home for Christmas and the Easter holidays so if you do forget something you’ll be home before you know it. I would advise obviously taking the essentials but also bringing some items that remind you of home and comfort you. 

Take good bedding! This is obviously a personal preference but, in my opinion, having comfy bedding and a good mattress topper is essential for a good night’s sleep. At university, sleep is so important! I have had a mattress topper from John Lewis for all three years at university and it was honestly the best thing I took to university. The beds at university are very good, but for that added comfort and to support your back, a mattress topper can save you! You can find them anywhere and for reasonable prices too. 

From experience I would encourage packing at least two extension leads. Not so much in first year halls, but when you move out into private rented accommodation the bedrooms sometimes don’t have many plug sockets and they can usually be in very awkward places away from your desk and bed, for example. Therefore, I would play it safe and bring some extension leads so you can plug all your electrical devices in the places you want them in your room. 

This item everyone will tell you to take before you go to university, but now I understand why! A door stop. You can buy a pack of door stops very cheap off Amazon and they will save your life. Not only are they great to have to keep the doors open when you move in or out and need the door open whilst you take heavy items in and out. They are also a great way of keeping your door open in fresher’s week when you first move in and can be a welcoming sign for your flat to meet you and feel welcomed. This makes it so much more inviting and easier to make friends with your door open the days you move in to be welcoming and a friendly face rather than having the door shut the whole time. 

This is just a short list that I hope helps! I will be writing another blog post on my other favourite items to take to university. Good luck to those starting to pack for university for the first time. This is such an exciting time so enjoy every moment of it!