The Ultimate University Essentials Checklist

According to the experts - the students.

uni desk in mica with desk lamp, laptop, and beautiful wall art on canvas

When packing for your first year of uni, the desire to take as much as possible is real. If you've never lived on your own, it's hard to plan for what you'll actually need vs. what's just taking up space. To help sort out the must-have from the leave-it-behind items, we've complied the ultimate uni essentials checklist, as well as interviewed four former uni students on how they packed up for their first year, and what they'd do differently giving the chance.

The Ultimate Uni Checklist

Extra-long bedding, lamps for late-night studying, bins, baskets and boxes… the list goes on. So what exactly do you need to make your student digs feel more like home? And how can you be sure you've got it all? We’ve rounded up all the back-to-school essentials and created a checklist to help you stay organised. Check it out below:

Bedding

Study Furniture

Bedroom Furniture

Storage and Organisation

Decor and Lighting

Bathroom Essentials

Kitchen and Dining

Appliances

Laundry and Cleaning

COVID-19 Essentials for Students

Ask the Experts: The Students

Tip #1: Start Now

"Packing for first year was manic, I completely left it until the last minute. If you are a hoarder like myself, I advise you start it as soon as possible. All I can say is: less is more. You're starting a new life and it's all very exciting, but you don't need all of your sentimental items with you. Keep them safe at home. The amount of stuff that I took with me and never used was ridiculous and only cluttered up my halls' bedroom. I was very lucky to have a rather large room, but most of my friends had traditional halls-style bedrooms and you really can't fit that much in them."

How did you make your room feel like home?

"Let's face it. Student rooms and communal areas aren't exactly pretty. The walls are plain, the curtains are usually printed in whacky patterns and let's not even mention the carpets. To make it my own, I literally just covered my walls in photographs of friends and family from home, because at the end of the day, it's likely that you are going to experience all kinds of emotions - excitement and freedom, yes, but also homesickness, loneliness and confusion - so it's nice to be able to see your loved ones' faces. I know that in the T&Cs it often mentions that they don't like you using Blu-Tack on the walls because it leaves grease marks, but I used white tack for all four years and never had any problems!"

"Fairy Lights: GET THEM. They're so pretty - hang them over your desk, around your notice board, in communal areas. It just makes everything feel that extra bit cosy. In fact, lights in general are a big factor in making a room homely. Buy yourself a nice pretty bedside lamp or desk lamp."

What was one item you brought to uni that you actually never used? Was there something you really needed but forgot?

"Oh gosh, this is a tricky one - I didn't use A LOT of my things. I don't think I used a lot of my things for the entire four years I was at University. So many clothes - the summer ones, especially - because you're usually at home when the weather actually perks up...and why did I take so much stationery? Far more stationery than anyone could ever need. A pen, pad of paper and a laptop usually did the job (except when I was doing creative design bits for my degree).

Things that I didn't bring, and consequently ended up buying included a door stop - I found that this really helped me to be more inviting and social with new housemates. It's likely you're going to want to keep your bedroom door open a lot, particularly during freshers - it's all very exciting! I also ended up buying quite a lot more storage options, such as boxes for under the bed, though a lot of halls do provide under bed storage."

Kayleigh blogs at VeryBerryCosmo and is a Graphic Design graduate from the University of Leeds.

Tip #2: Bring Lots of Photos, Under-Bed Storage & a Big Jumper

"My room in first year got very full very quickly. Don't bring absolutely EVERYTHING you have at home with you. I brought loads of photos of friends and family and the walls of my new room were very bare and white, so I filled the space with them, combined with inspiration. I'm a big collector of complete rubbish too, so bringing all my bits and bobs from home too made it feel like less of a dramatic change.

Under-bed storage is a complete essential (and a quick way to make your room look clean - just hide everything underneath). Blu-Tack to decorate walls and a clothes rail is a good way to make your room more decorative (and a good wardrobe overflow). Lastly, a big knitted jumper is the answer to everything - late night runs to the shop, staying cosy in lectures, living in a house with rubbish heating, etc."

What was the most challenging thing about your first year at uni?

"I think the biggest challenge I faced when coming to uni was how overwhelming everything was. Especially moving to London - everything was so fast-paced, so busy and immediate. Days wandering around with friends getting to know the area really helped me with that."

What was the best bit of advice you received about first year?

"I think the best thing someone told me before coming to uni was to keep an open mind. Say yes to everything (within reason, of course). Be friends with everyone, even if you know you have nothing in common, and always have instant noodles on standby in the kitchen cupboard."

Ellie graduated from Ravensbourne with a degree in Fashion Promotion.

Tip #3: Keep A List

"Packing for university is hard! Especially if you've never lived on your own before, you have no idea what you really need. Believe me, you'll think you've packed everything, but as soon as you arrive at your student halls you'll realise soon enough how many things you wish you'd brought. Most things I forgot were simple things that I could get in the nearest shops, but it would've saved me money and time if I'd already packed them - things to cook with, enough towels, a bag for my washing, an iron etc.

I started planning my packing a couple of weeks before the actual move. I made a list with things I shouldn't forget and kept adding things to it when I thought of more things to pack. I liked this method because if you made a list without having some extra time to go over it again, you'll for sure forget things. If you keep adding things to your list while there's still enough time before moving, you'll be less likely to forget a lot."

"However, don't worry about forgetting too many things - especially in September. Loads of shops in student cities have cheap household items on sale, especially for students. I got my iron for 3 pounds and it still works great! Same for my pots, pans and cutlery. I also kept my little list with things I needed for when I went home for the Christmas holiday, so I could sneak some more stuff into my suitcase for when I flew back!"

What was the most challenging thing about your first year? What advice would you give to someone who is feeling uncertain or worried about their university residence, especially during the pandemic?

"I was very scared about moving in with people I didn't know. I wasn't too worried about making friends at uni but being stuck with some random people in a place where you have to live... not so sure. I lived in student accommodation for two years; while I did my Access to HE course and during my first year at university. My first year living in student accommodation was perfect, I had really nice flatmates and we kept a clear schedule around cleaning. Although the year after, my flatmates weren't too bothered about what the shared areas looked like. After having asked them a couple of times to help me clean it, I gave up and simply dealt with the mess knowing I'd be moving in with my friends soon.

To future students, I would say don't be too worried about it. Almost everybody I've met at university got along really well with their flatmates, I just didn't get lucky that time. Even if it doesn't click with your flatmates, there are so many other people at uni to become friends with. I spend a lot of my time at my friends' from second year and I never felt like my flat wasn't my home, even though my flatmates and I weren't exactly best buds.

Problems are usually solved pretty quickly by reception as long as you tell them when something is broken or needs checking. I've definitely enjoyed living in student halls, but after two years it was nice to be able to live in a house instead. My first year of uni was probably the most exciting and most fun year of my life so far."

Nele van Hout studied English and Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Tip #4: Bend the Rules

Though fairy lights really do the job in creating a relaxing and homely atmosphere, my biggest decorating advice would be to break the rules. You're not actually allowed to stick things up in halls, usually only being provided with a pin board. I'm not telling you to paint the walls bright green and buy all new furniture, but sticking posters or photographs on your wall will really help personalise your room - just make sure you don't peel off the paint!

What do you think is the biggest misconception you had about halls at uni?

I honestly don't think I had any misconceptions - I didn't expect luxury accommodation (although for the amount you pay, it should be) and I was right. Everything is old and tatty and however much you scrub, it will never feel clean. But it becomes your home and you learn to love halls, all the way down to the vomit-stained carpets.

Let's talk about packing. What's one item everyone should bring at least two of, and what's one thing everyone should leave at home?

Toilet roll! This may sound bizarre, but you forget some of the essentials when you're moving in! I totally forgot to bring any and had to do buy some in the Tesco Express below my student halls five minutes after arriving. When it comes to leaving things behind, I would suggest stationery. Of course you'll need the basics: pens, pencils, notepads. But everything is electronic and done via a computer these days, so you won't need thousands of folders and files taking up room in your drawers.

What's the most useful thing you brought with you to uni?

The most useful thing I bought was a memory foam mattress topper. The beds in halls are not the comfiest and this really did change everything. All of my flatmates loved it too.

If you could go back and change one thing about your first year, what would it be?

I honestly wouldn't change a thing! University has been the most challenging but most amazing time of my life - I would recommend it to everyone. You get to experience both feeling like an adult and having the freedom to explore, whilst also meeting new people and creating a whole new life for yourself. Just remember to work hard! First year isn't just Freshers and freebies.

Ashleigh studied Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University.

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