One thing many new university students struggle with, is trying to decide what to take with them to their new university accommodation. In this post we will help you with some tips on what to pack with you when leaving home for university, and starting a new chapter of your life in student accommodation.
There are plenty of things you might want to take with you when moving into your student accommodation, but it is important to ask yourself “Do I really need this?” Remember, most of the basic essentials are available in the city you are moving to, so you don’t need to stuff that suitcase with tea bags or your favourite brand of crisps.
So where do you start? First of all, don’t leave it too late. You don’t want to be stress packing last minute when you could have enjoyed that walk with your parents, night out with friends or a cuddle with your dog.
Our advice is to make a packing list. You can even start it a month ahead and keep adding things to it when it pops in your mind. If you like being really organised, you can even break it down into categories, such as kitchen, bathroom, electrical, etc.
Let’s see some examples:
Clothes
Sounds obvious, but if you are like most of us who overpack even for a 3 day break, our advice is to pack only what you’ll need in the first two seasons (Autumn/ Winter). Why?
- You will most probably come back home for Christmas break and will be able to take more of the things you’ll need for Spring/ Summer.
- You might want to do some shopping in a new city. Keep that in mind when packing, and donate your old clothes (or those you are unsure about) to a local charity. Your support is always appreciated.
If you’re not planning to go home for Christmas, then concentrate on the essentials. Remember what they say, if you haven’t worn something from your wardrobe for 6 months chances are you will never wear it again. So just sit and think about what you really need and can’t get by without. Something to keep you warm, comfortable and happy.
Tip: Always have something smart in case you will be going to a job interview or something like a university event or a conference.
Essential documents
Remember to have all the important and necessary documentation you may need when you’re away from home. Bring your passport if you’re planning any trips abroad. If you’ll be studying abroad, it’s very important you remember your passport and possible visas. Don’t forget your enrolment papers, confirmation letters, and other documents for your new university. It may be a good idea to have some papers about your medical history, or anything you think will be required if you need to see a specialist in a new city.
It’s always good to have a few passport photos on hand as you never know when you might need them. Having them with you takes away the stress of looking for a photo booth.
You’ll also need your accommodation contract or any other student housing related documents. If you are unsure about what exactly you need, just check with your friendly Student.com booking consultant who will be happy to help.
To sum up, you’ll probably need at least these documents with you:
- Passport
- Visa (if you’re studying abroad)
- University enrolment papers
- Medical documents
- Passport photos
- Accommodation documents
Kitchen
We get it that you might not be able to live without your breakfast toast, but you really don’t have to bring a toaster with you all the way from home. Firstly, in most cases, student accommodation providers have the communal kitchens or private studios equipped with basic appliances like kettles and toasters. If you are going into a flat share, simply check with your landlord or future house mates what’s provided. It will make your suitcase lighter and your parents won’t have to face the possibility of waking up one busy weekday morning and noticing their kettle and toaster are gone.
You can of course bring your favourite mug with you, because let’s face, drinks just taste better from a nice mug. Mostly however, remember that all of the kitchen utensils & basic things will either be provided in your new home or can easily be bought on the high street. So when it comes to kitchen stuff, you really don’t need to bring that much.
To save you time you can shop for kitchen and bedroom basics, such as bedding, duvets, and kitchen packs right here on Student.com. To get these things sorted quickly and easily, just check out our bedding and kitchen packs.
Electrical
When it comes to electrical items, what you need is often quite dependent on your individual needs. Here are some suggestions for this category:
- Laptop
- Phone
- Tablet
- Chargers
- Headphones
- Portable speakers
- USB sticks
- Hair dryer
- Hair straightener
- Shaver
- Game console
Most students will have a laptop and probably everyone will need a phone. The rest is quite dependent on your personal needs and interests, so think about which of these things you use and put them on your list.
Other stuff
Some other categories you might want to consider can be for example bathroom, bedroom, and clothing accessories. It’s easy to come up with a really long list, but remember, less is more. Think about what you really need and keep in mind that you can always get more stuff from your parents’ house if needed, but having an overly full student room can get annoying really quickly.
Most importantly, take it as an adventure and an exciting new chapter in your life. Enjoy getting settled in your student accommodation, your home away from home!
