The Essential Items Students Need at University

Ask anyone what they wish they had known before moving into student accommodation, and the answer is rarely about their course. It is almost always about the things they forgot to bring, the things they bought twice because they did not plan, and the things they did not realise they needed until 10 pm on their first night when the shops were shut, and the kitchen was empty.

This piece exists so that does not happen to you. What follows is a room-by-room guide to everything you will actually need when you move into your Essential Student Living property this September.

The Bedroom

The bedroom is where most students start when they think about what to bring, and rightly so. It is your private space in what will otherwise be a shared environment, and getting it right makes a real difference to how settled you feel from day one.

University mattresses are typically a smaller single than the one you have at home, so check your sizing before you buy anything. Two sets of bedding is a sensible baseline once you factor in washing cycles.

• Duvet and duvet cover (check sizing before buying)
• Fitted sheet and pillowcases (two sets recommended)
• Bath towels (bring at least two)
• Mattress topper (not essential, but students who bring one are never sorry)
• Storage box
• Extra coat hangers
• Bedside lamp

The Kitchen

The kitchen is where the gap between prepared and unprepared becomes most obvious and most expensive. Students who arrive without the right equipment end up eating out more than they planned to, which adds up quickly.

Students sharing a kitchen often assume someone else will have the basics covered. That assumption is how six people end up with no way to drain pasta.

• Medium saucepan and frying pan
• Chopping board and knife
• Colander and grater
• Tin opener
• Wooden spoon and spatula
• Oven gloves
• Plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery (bring a spare set)
• Dish drying rack
• Food storage containers
• Kettle and toaster (check what your room includes before buying)

The Bathroom

Whether you have an ensuite or a shared bathroom, the principle is the same: bring more than you think you need and keep it organised.

A shower caddy or toiletry bag is worth the small investment if you have a shared bathroom. A first aid kit is something most students do not think to bring and then wish they had.

• Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant and razors
• Flannel and shower caddy
• Paracetamol and ibuprofen
• Plasters and cold and flu capsules
• Antihistamine tablets
• Any repeat prescription medication (ensure enough supply for the first few weeks)

Your Study Space

The study side of student life tends to get less attention in packing guides than it deserves. Most Essential Student Living properties include a dedicated study area in each room, but what you bring to it makes a real difference to how well you use it.

Overhead room lighting in student accommodation is often harsh or dim, depending on the room. A lamp gives you control over your immediate environment and makes late-night studying considerably more comfortable.

• Extension lead with surge protection (a must)
• Laptop and charger
• Notebooks and stationery
• Folders for notes and documents
• Small noticeboard or whiteboard for your wall
• Printer paper (even if you plan to print on campus)
• Headphones

How UNPACKED Can Help

Reading through the above, you might notice that it adds up. Not to an unmanageable amount, but to a lot of individual decisions, a lot of separate purchases and a lot of boxes to carry on move-in day. That is exactly the problem UNPACKED was created to solve.

UNPACKED have partnered directly with us to offer students a range of starter packs that take care of the kitchen and bedroom essentials in one order. Their packs are built around what students actually use, delivered directly to your accommodation on the day that works for you.

Get Your UNPACKED Starter Pack Today

Stop adding things to a mental list and start ticking them off in one go. Head to UNPACKED and place your order before the September rush. Your future self, standing in a fully equipped kitchen on the first night of term, will be glad you did.