If you’ve been accepted at university and need a place to stay during your studies, student accommodation is often the go-to choice for many, especially international students.
The student life of living near friends, classes just a short walk away and having local places to relax and socialise is extremely attractive to many people.
While leaving home for the first time and moving into university accommodation can be daunting, it’s an experience that a lot of people should try. Not only do you get to enjoy a higher level of education, but you’ll get the full university life experience at the same time.
Living in the halls of residence on campus (or just a short walk away) allows friendships to blossom and social lives to prosper. But, before you head off, what should you take to university?
Fortunately, we’ve put together a university checklist so you have everything you need, at least for the first few weeks anyway!
What to Take to University
When compiling a university checklist for packing, there’s a lot to consider. It’s not just electronics and clothes you’re taking; you’re moving your whole life with you.
In truth, you can never take too much stuff as, depending on how far from home you are, something you may think irrelevant could be quite handy at one point in the future.
Bathroom supplies
When moving into student accommodation, it’s important to know that many locations provide communal showers and shared washrooms. For this reason, take a wash bag to hold shaving cream, shower gel, and other hygiene products. If you have your own bathroom, take a toilet brush to stay on top of cleaning and take some flip-flops so you don’t slip on the wet floor!
- Towels
- Flip-flops
- Wash bag
- Soap, shampoo, conditioner etc.
- Small first aid kit
- Laundry basket
Kitchen essentials
Kitchen supplies, like your own plates, oven gloves, and even a student recipe book are essential. You’ll be able to claim a cupboard to store your items but you may also have space in your new room for storage. However, it’s likely you’ll want to save space in your bedroom and won’t want to clutter it with pans, so try not to pack so many kitchen goods that you need to store things elsewhere.
- Tea towels
- Plates, bowls & cutlery
- Mugs and glasses
- Pots and pans
- Tin foil and cling film
- Bin bags
- General kitchen utensils
Bedroom items
In university accommodation, you’ll spend a lot of time in your bedroom so ensure it’s as comfortable and relaxing as possible. You could bring along some fairy lights to create a warm glow instead of using the main light, for example. What else will you need for your bedroom whilst packing, apart from clothes?
- Bedding
- Soft furnishings like blankets and cushions
- Coat hangers
- Miscellaneous items and personal supplies (photographs, heartfelt items and more)
- Stationery and notepads
- Mattress protector
Electrical items
The final set of objects you have to remember to pack are your electricals. You’ll be writing your essays, filling in important documents, and completing tasks on a computer or laptop so ensure you bring everything you need. Here’s a quick list:
- Laptop or computer
- Chargers or batteries for your computer, mobile phone, tablet etc.
- Television (you may need to purchase a TV licence)
- Ethernet cable
- Games console
- Portable speakers
- Hair dryer
- Surge protector/extension lead
Packing for University
We hope this guide will help you with the big move and you don’t leave anything important at home. Moving into student accommodation in Bolton or somewhere else in the UK can be challenging, scary, and exciting.
However, just remember that it’s a great experience for many where a lot of people meet friends for life. If you’re moving out to start your studies, enjoy it and don’t forget to keep a checklist for a successful move!
