Back to School: 10 Items to Take with You to University

Calling all Freshers! Heading off to uni in a few weeks and at a loss for what to pack? Fear no more! I've been there, and I'm here to share a few tips and tricks I picked up along the way. Moving out on your own for the first time can daunting and overwhelming, but it can also be the most exciting time in your life! Freedom from your parents, your family home and the town you grew up in, a chance to be independent and find your feet in the real world.

1) Something to remind you of home

In my first few weeks of moving out of my childhood home and into my university halls, I had an overwhelming feeling of homesickness. I promised myself I'd stick it out for exactly three weeks, then I could have a visit home - and I'm so glad I did, or I may never have settled into university life the way I did. However, in those few weeks, the odd thing that kept me going was nothing other than my washing powder. I bought the same washing powder my mum used at home, so my bedsheets, my clothes and my room smelt exactly like my family home. It was comforting to fall asleep at night and not feel so far away from home.

2) Something to decorate your walls

Uni halls are notoriously barren and void of personality, so consider packing something to brighten up a dull room. Fairy lights, wall hangings, tapestries or photos can be hung on the wall using Command Strips which - if removed carefully and correctly - shouldn't damage the wall.

3) Hangers

Uni halls are always a gamble - you may end up with more hangers than you have clothes, you may end up with one plastic hanger from New Look thats cracked on one side. Either way - its probably best to bring your own just in case!

4) Hooks

Staying on the topic of wardrobes, the storage space in halls tends to be a lot smaller than what you're used to at home. A great way to maximise space is to bring a few hooks. These can be attached to the back of your door to store coats, inside the wardrobe for additional clothing or in the bathroom for towels. Wherever they get used, you'll be grateful you packed them!

5) Storage boxes

Another fantastic way to make the most of your space is to invest in some storage boxes. These can be neatly tucked under the bed, on top of a shelf or under the desk to store additional items that may not fit in the allocated draws. They're also useful when packing your belongings for the move!

6) Cleaning products

You never know how messy your flatmates are going to be, defo don't rely on people you've never met to bring items such as dish-clothes and washing up liquid which you'll need on the first day. After you've settled in, you may decide to share the responsibility - and therefore the cost - with your flatmates, but until then, make sure you've got something to wash your plates with!

7) Tupperware

A big learning curve of moving out and living on your own is working out how much food is enough for one person. There will likely be some hiccups along the way - let's call it unintentional meal-prepping - but instead of wasting food, you can save it for a busier day, or a time in the month when you're running out of funds.

8) Extension lead

In my experience, most uni rooms - especially in halls - have very few power sockets. Therefore, if you want to plug in your phone charger, laptop charger, fairy lights and bedside lamp, you'll need an extension cable. Some halls may require all electrical items to be PAT tested, so be aware of this before you go!

9) Something to keep you warm

In my first year of university, my room was on the ground floor of an old building. It had a pretty awful heating system that often used to break on the coldest nights of the year. Even when it did work, my radiator made such a strange noise that it deterred me from ever using it. However, my plug-in heater was my saving grace. First year students usually don't pay bills - its often included in the rent, however if you think you do have to pay for bills, other options that don't use electricity are blankets and hot water bottles. Also, uni halls often get hot and humid in the summer months as the windows are usually safety locked, meaning they won't open very far. Therefore, consider also investing in a fan to help you regulate the temperature of your room.

10) Your comfort item

Remember, this is your new home now! If you want to bring a comfort item like a teddy or a blanket, or anything else sentimental, perhaps something you've had from childhood, don't be deterred. I didn't bring my childhood teddy to university in the first week, thinking someone would find it and ridicule me, but I found I genuinely missed it. I brought him back from my first trip home and have kept him with me ever since.