The road to university can be an exceptionally packed one. Chances are your car will be brimful to the point of discomfort with “just in case” items.
But halls of residence accommodation tends to be small, fulfilling basic requirements – expect a bed, a wardrobe, a desk and little space for much else.
Bearing that in mind, here’s our list of must-have items for freshers:
- A laptop
- A doorstop
- A memory stick
- Your mobile
- Earplugs
- Highlighters
- One glass, one mug, one bowl, one plate, plus cutlery
- Two towels
- Toiletries
- Pack of cards
- Condoms
- One smart/formal outfit
- Bedding (often it’s supplied but your own is a bit nicer)
- Basic rations and an easy cook book
- A printer
- Mattress topper
- Personal documents
- Tin opener/bottle opener
- Pad, pens and course notes
- Flip-flops
University of Manchester student Jane Montgomery says: “I never thought about having to take everything home again; it just never occurred to me. And I took several things along with me that never saw the light of day, including my pointed shoes and a sieve.”
There are reports of pets and entire summer wardrobes making their way into halls of residence.
Keele University’s money and welfare coordinator, Alison Felton, says keep things simple and just bring a few home comforts. “We encourage students to bring photos and cushions, along with essential items such as towels, bedding and toiletries. Also sports equipment, something to play their music on and items to get to know their new flatmates, such as board games, packs of cards and a bottle opener.”
Felton is quick to identify a few no-go items, especially furniture, heaters, electric blankets, candles and oil burners. If you want your room to smell nice, bring reed diffusers or plug-in air fresheners. “A few years ago a large delivery van turned up on campus with a brand-new fridge-freezer. And earlier this year we discovered a student with a hedgehog in his room,” she says.
These concerns are endorsed by a spokesperson at the University of Gloucestershire: “Something that has happened more than once is new students bringing their mums to live with them for the first couple of weeks. One student also flew in the face of the no pets policy by bringing 11 giant African land snails – apparently a leaving present from a friend who worked at a nearby zoo. The snails can grow up to 10 inches long and were spotted being kept in a fish bowl under a blanket.”
