Moving away from home for the first time and not sure what to bring? Don’t worry, we’ve got you.
There might be some unexpected items on this list, so make sure you read carefully so you don’t miss anything.
Feeling overwhelmed about what to bring? We’ve got an exclusive discount with UniKitOut to save you 10% and a lot of stress! Explore their starter kits to have everything you need ready for moving day. The best bit? You can get it delivered to The SU for collection when you get here. Use code UPSU10 at checkout.
Bedroom Essentials
Bedding + Covers: duvet and cover, pillows and cases, plus a sheet.
Mattress Protector: this is a must!
Lamp: make it cosy by packing a bedside lamp.
Extension Lead: you can’t guarantee how many plug sockets there will be and if they’ll be in a convenient place in your room (particularly if you’re in a shared house in town), so pack an extension lead just in case.
Hangers: there might be some in your room, but better to have too many than not enough.
Laundry Basket: pick something easy to move so you can go between your room and the laundry facilities.
Things to make it feel like home! Pick things to decorate your room with like posters, photos, rugs, fairy lights – just be sure to adhere to your landlord’s rules about putting things on the walls.
Portable Speaker: bring the party to your pre-drinks or chill in your room, it’s always handy to have.
Fancy Dress! It’s not an obvious one, but if you’ve got a great stash of fancy dress it might be worth popping a couple of fits in your bag. There will be fancy dress nights at uni (check out the full Freshers calendar here) so avoid spending money unnecessarily.
Storage: either stackable tubs, or vacuum sealed bags. You might not have a lot of storage space in wardrobes or cupboards, so things that can slide under your bed or stack in the corner can be really helpful.
Hot Water Bottle: you never know when you might need a little extra warmth!
Kitchen Essentials
Plates and Bowls: bring enough for two, that way you can have one in the wash and one on the go. You’ll always need something to eat from, and you can’t always rely on there being enough in a shared kitchen.
Cutlery: same rules apply. Bring enough for a minimum of two people and then you’ll definitely have plenty to use.
Chopping Board: essential for food prep. If you can, keep two: one for meat and one for everything else.
Utensils: a wooden spoon, spatula, sieve, cheese grater, mixing bowl, vegetable peeler, bottle opener and tin opener are probably the basics – add more as you see fit.
Pots & Pans: at the very least, aim to have a pot and a frying pan. If you can, get ones with lids!
Tea Towels & Oven Gloves: there won’t always be spares in a shared kitchen, so it makes sense to bring your own.
Basic Pantry Items: things like jarred herbs and spices that are long-dated can be really handy to keep. Other items to consider are dried carbohydrates like rice, pasta and lentils. Packet sauces are convenient for speedy cooking, too.
Tupperware: if you’re going to be doing a lot of meal prep, batch cooking or eating on the go, investing in a solid Tupperware set will make life much easier.
Blender: not an essential item, but can be handy if you’re a whiz in the kitchen. You could try a 3 in 1 hand blender; these usually come with an additional stick blender and whisk attachment and cost between £15 - £30.
Cleaning: it’s not exciting, but it is needed. For the kitchen, some washing up liquid, a multi-purpose antibacterial spray and some sponges or cloths will usually do the trick.
Bathroom Essentials
Towels: bring more than you think you need! You might not have access to a tumble dryer, in which case it can take a while for towels to dry after washing. Have a few to use in case you need to grab a spare. We’d also suggest having your own floor mat for when you shower.
Toothbrush & Paste: but you’ve probably already got that covered.
Skincare & Showering: anything you’d usually use in your routine and pack it in your:
Toiletry Bag! Or a shower caddy. It’s helpful to be able to transport your stuff to and from the bathroom if there isn’t much storage space to leave it in there.
Cleaning: again, having a spray and some cloths to help you stay on top of things.
Study Essentials
Laptop: if you’ve got one, it can help speed up your note-taking and essay writing.
Notebook: for when you need to jot down lecture notes, ideas, and reminders.
Pens: you can never have too many!
Headphones: an essential for when you need to lock-in and concentrate.
Take The Stress Out Of Packing For Uni
Head to UniKitOut to discover their range of starter kits. Whether you need bedding, kitchen essentials or bathroom bits – they’ve got a kit ready for you. Use code UPSU10 at checkout for 10% off your kits and have them delivered direct to campus!