What you should and shouldn't take to university
It's almost that time of the year for uni students to move back in or move in for the first time. Here are the essentials you need to bring with you to your digs.
Last updated: 30th Aug 2023
Originally published: 7th Sep 2021
It's that time of the year! Students all across the UK and beyond are taking the plunge, moving into a different city to live in student halls as freshers kicks off. If you feel like you don't really know what you're doing, you're in the right place! After revealing some of the best student clubs in countless cities, the best student discounts, cheap places to eat, cheap things to do and free things to do, we're now going to give you a hand with packing.
Here, we've got a few handy recommendations of things that you simply cannot be without at uni. We've also given a few tips on what you should definitely not take too because some items will leave you looking daft or will probably end up smashed by your drunk mates. Check out what to and what not to take below.
Do - Speaker
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When your phone's volume just won't do, a speaker is essential. Especially during pre-drinks. Plus, if the speaker is yours, then you automatically get the right to choose the playlist. You don't have to go for the most expensive model either. There are plenty of small portable speakers that will do just fine for a party.
Here's a playlist that you can get stuck into right away
Do - Extension lead
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Whether you're bringing your beloved PS5, a TV, a fan or even just a hairdryer, it's quite likely that you'll need an extension cable to fit everything in. Uni halls are notorious for putting plug sockets in the most awkward places, so it's better to be prepared. You do not want to be caught trying to drag in a vacuum cleaner that's plugged in what feels like miles away as your flatmates stand and laugh at you getting stuck when the cord runs out.
Don't - Your entire wardrobe
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Your student accommodation won't have a walk-in wardrobe. You'll be lucky if there's a decent sized wardrobe and a few drawers. Pack clothes that you can make a few outfits with and leave that top you haven't worn in years at home. Your bathrobe is an essential though, you'll be wearing that a lot.
Do - A Planner
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Organisation is key! As the deadlines come rushing in, it's understandable that you may start to feel a bit overwhelmed. Putting down dates in a planner can make things seem a lot more manageable as you can tick things off one at a time. It also ensures you don't miss out on any social events, gigs, or raves.
Do - Laptop
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It's pretty obvious that you'll need a laptop. It's clearly an essential. But you need to make sure the model you choose is as reliable as possible. If you need to carry it about with you, then you may need something that's lighter and more portable. Maybe consider a hybrid between a laptop and tablet, which is especially useful for design.
Do - Pinboard
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If your halls allow for it (or if you can find a way of putting one up without leaving a mark on your wall), then a pinboard can be handy. Here you can sort out various notes and even pin up a few snapshots and reminders of good memories. A pinboard also helps you keep the area you work in a lot tidier.
Don't - Candles
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Candles! A great idea to add some ambience, right? Well, it turns out that your landlord or halls might ban them anyway because of the marks they can leave on the walls. But who would want that fire hazard lying in wait anyway? All it takes is one drunken night, stumbling back to your flat thinking that lighting a candle will be a good idea, and suddenly everyone has to be evacuated and you're getting all kinds of dirty looks as the rest of your building stands shivering in the cold of the night.
Do - Headphones and/or earplugs
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A surprise to absolutely no one: uni halls can be quite loud. You might find yourself tossing and turning in bed whilst two people in the flat above loudly argue about the longevity of Bitcoin until 3 am. Headphones or earplugs are a must. Earplugs are also useful for live music events too. You have to take care of those eardrums!
Do - Storage Boxes
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Making full use of the limited space you have will help it look a lot less messy. If you have space under your bed, then shove a few storage boxes underneath, and voila! Suddenly your room is not as much of a tip as it once was. It also makes moving in and out a whole lot easier.
Don't - Pets
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Can you really justify the uni stress piled on top of the stress of looking after another actual living being? It doesn't matter if you're favourite goldfish makes you feel at home, you'll be gutted if it ends up floating upside down from neglect. Sure, it sounds like a good idea to get some routine in your life by taking your dog around the park every morning, but can you deal with that every single day? Even hungover and with 50 million deadlines?
We're going to guess that you probably can't and would rather cherish the rare few mornings where you don't actually have to get up and do anything.
Don’t - Course books
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Okay, yeah, that sounds a bit dumb. But instead of spending potentially hundreds on course books, chances are you'll find most, if not all, of them in your uni's library. And if it's missing one you really need, grab it second-hand. Uni's expensive enough as it is, we don't want to be spending any more than we have to.
Do - Bedding
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Bring your own duvet, pillows, and covers because, even if your room is super clean, it feels gross sleeping where god-knows how many others have. What if they pissed the bed and there you are just lying in it? Not the vibe. And the pillows are usually worn out so won’t offer enough support.
Don’t - Loads of food
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Fair enough if you want to bring some scran, especially if you’re coeliac or have another issue that means you have to triple-check ingredients so you don’t get ill. But if not, you’ll end up doing a shop when you arrive at uni anyway. Bring the bare minimum and grab some pasta, rice, and beans when you get there. Think of the weight of your luggage too.
Do - A bit of décor
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Not only can it help settle you but you might even make a few friends when someone sparks a chat about Pulp Fiction, The Cure, or whatever else you have on the poster above your bed!
If you do it right, uni can be one of the best times of your life. To help you get off to the best start, we put together loads of handy freshers guides, which you can find here.
Moving to a new city? Check out our What's On Guide to discover rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. To check out the clubs near you, then check out our Clubs page.
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