Heading off to university can be a scary, scary thing. So much so that when I went, I spent the whole drive being a bitch to my lovely parents to cover up the fact that inside I was FUCKING TERRIFIED.
Trust us on this, once you get there, it won’t be all that bad and, if it is, just give us a call and we’ll come down and rough up any chancers who are making your life a misery.
One thing we can do definitely though, is help you get prepared and make sure you’ve got all the bits you’re going to need for your big move. Because, let’s face it, it is a big move. Moving out of your parents, into what’s essentially your first flat, you’re striking out on your own and a jolly good job you’re going to make of it, too.
Anyways, here’s what you need to pack for university in your first year. Your university checklist if you will. Print and tick off the list when you’ve chucked the item in your suitcase. Don’t worry if you’ve got like 10 suitcases – it’s amazing what your mum or dad’s car can actually fit in when it’s really under pressure.
For Your Bedroom
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A double duvet for that shitty single bed
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2 duvet sets – one to wash, one to sleep on
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A bedside lamp
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Pictures of your friends from home/family to prove you’ve got some
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An alarm clock for when you get drunk and smash your phone
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A dressing gown or blanket you can wrap around yourself for hangovers/walking to the kitchen when you can’t be bothered to put pants on
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A boring filing box for all the boring papers you’ll get given in your first few weeks
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Hot water bottle
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Washing powder
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A massive fuck off washing basket or bag that’s easily transportable
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Extension cable
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Headphones
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Blu-tooth speaker
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Lighter
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Sewing kit
In The Kitchen
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Peeler
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Chopping board
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Frying pan
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Saucepan
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Sharp knife
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Cutlery
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Mugs
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Glasses
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Plate, side plate, bowl
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Masher
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Grater
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Wooden spoon
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Tin opener
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Corkscrew
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Colander
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Baking tray
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Wooden spoons plus spatula
Clothes
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Onesie or other cosy clothes
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School uniform for the inevitable (sigh) school disco fancy dress
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Pyjamas
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As many normal clothes as you can carry. There’s nothing like forgetting your favourite dress is 300 miles away at home
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Gym clothes
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Swimsuit
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Underwear
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Weird stuff that you won’t wear but might do for fancy dress. If in doubt, bring it along
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Face paint
Boring stuff
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Passport
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Driver’s licence
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Insurance (and the documents that go with it)
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Student loan documents
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Bank details
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National insurance card
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Accomodation documentation
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Course acceptance letter
Stuff to get your mum to buy you in the supermarket down the road
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Salt ’n’ pepper
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Dried coriander, basil, paprika, chilli flakes, thyme, rosemary, oregano, cayenne pepper, cumin
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Pesto
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Pasta
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Couscous, quinoa and as many other grains as you can fit in your trolley (you’ll try and eat these dry at some point, in desperation)
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Baked beans (the clichés are true)
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Olive oil. In as big a container as possible. People will steal it. All.
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Balsamic vinegar
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Box of wine. For sharing. And bribing friendship out of your flatmates.
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Ketchup
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Tinned tomatoes. By the truckload.
Stuff for actual work
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Laptop
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Notepads
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Folders for each module
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A4 paper
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Tape
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Blu-tack
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Scisssors (you’ll be the only person with these, guard them with your life)
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A printer (you’ll also be the only person with this. But it’ll be the most useful thing ever)
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Pens
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Pencils
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Highlighters
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An academic diary
For the bathroom
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4 towels (2 to use when the other 2 are being washed. Obvs.)
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Toothbrush
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Plasters
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Toothpaste
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Shampoo
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Conditioner
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Body wash
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Moisturiser
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Spot cream – you’ll get a lot with that alcohol-heavy lifestyle you’re about the adopt
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Hairbrush
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Razors/shaving cream
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Make up
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Make up wipes/remover
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Painkillers
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Cold meds
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Tweezers
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Condoms
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Deodorant
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Tampons
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Berocca
Like this? Then you might also be interested in:
How To Kit Out Your Entire University Kitchen For Less Than £20
Follow Jess on Twitter @Jess_Commons
Illustrated by Kate Prior
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.