Items I Didn’t Need to Bring to University

This time two years ago, I was in the swing of preparing for university. This included a big trip round IKEA, B&M, and Homesense, trying to gather everything I might need for the term ahead. I knew I wanted to feel fully prepared for my time at university, so perhaps purchased a little (or a lot) more than I actually needed. I am very much team over-prepare – I would rather have too much than not enough. However, below are the items that I absolutely did NOT need to bring to university with me.

Pens

Oh my goodness, if there was one thing I definitely did not need to stock up on, it was pens! Sure, it was important to bring a few key stationary items: a couple of pens and pencils, a sharpener, a stapler, some post it notes, etc. But over the course of the first few weeks, I collected more pens than I have ever purchased in my entire life! The events of welcome week provided me with several free pens every day, and whenever I saw a promotional table on campus I made it my mission to pick a few up. While there still might not be so many in-person events this coming year (if COVID restrictions are still in place), there will be plenty of opportunities at uni to grab free pens if you need them.

Books

Before starting at university, I optimistically believed I would have time to read outside of my studies. I brought a rather heavy bag full of books on my to-read list, as well as books that I thought of as ‘academic’ that might come in useful. I ended up reading zero of them! I’m sure a lot of students do find the time to read for pleasure, but that is simply not on my list of priorities. As an English and Theatre student, I have a lot of text to get through in a week. During term time reading transforms into an activity for function, rather than fun. If I’ve had a busy day I would rather decompress by doing something other than reading, such as watching TV or spending time with friends. If your brain works anything like mine, books you bring will likely only end up collecting dust. Use the space in your packing for something else!

Iron

I had big dreams when I purchased my travel iron from Argos. I hate to admit that I’ve never taken it out of the box. If you’re someone who really enjoys having neatly ironed clothes, or perhaps finds the act of ironing incredibly relaxing, absolutely go for it when it comes to bringing an iron. But for me? Once I’ve gone through the ordeal of lugging all my clothes down to the launderette, or warning my housemates well in advance that I need to use the washing machine, I simply don’t have the energy to get out an iron, too. Much to my mother’s dismay, I now embrace the technique of tactically drying clothes likely to get creased. Although my little iron may well get used in the future, or if I have a particularly fancy occasion to attend, right now it is not high on my list of priorities.