Starting university can be daunting. Moving out of home, packing your life away, stepping into a whole new world. You may be tempted to pack everything you can to make the transition easier and feel like home, but the reality is that it is important to not overpack for your new uni room.
Bed Student Rentals already provides a lot of essential equipment in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. So, here is a comprehensive list of what you actually NEED to move into a student home to take away the stress of worrying what to pack:
Bedroom
At uni, your bedroom might be the only place to find peace away from the chaos of student life. You want to make it a space that feels like you, a safe haven.
Necessities
- Mattress topper
- Mattress protector
- Pillows and pillow cases
- Duvet
- Duvet cover
- Blankets
- Bedsheets
- Laundry basket
Recommended
- Spare bedding
- Bedside lamp
- Decorative cushions
- Dressing gown
- Storage boxes
- Fairy lights
- Photos
- Fitness equipment
- Plants
- Rug
- Door stopper
- Mini sewing kit
- Posters/prints
- Mirror
- Hot water bottle
- Diffuser/room spray - accommodation will often not permit the use of candles as they are a fire risk, but a diffuser/room spray is a great alternative to make you room smell homely
Books
Most accommodations at university will already come with the following:
- Desk
- Clothes storage/drawers
- Shelves
- Bed
Kitchen
Necessities
- A few for essentials to get you through the first few days (tinned beans and dried pasta are student classics)
- 2 x everything - max 2 because you don’t want to overpack on useless items. Remember, you will only need these items for yourself so save on space where you can=
- Cutlery
- Bowls
- Plates
- Saucepan/frying pan/baking tray
- Glasses
- Mugs
- Chopping knives
- Scissors
- Chopping board
- Tupperware
- Large spoon/spatula
- Colander
- Measuring jug
- Garlic press
- Can opener
- Grater
- Potato peeler
- Tea towels
- Aluminium foil
- Cling film
- Bottle opener/corkscrew
- Cleaning products and materials
- Washing up liquid
- Storage - empty jars from home are great for pasta, nuts, cereal, etc, or just clips to hold open packages together
Recommended
Whether you consider yourself a chef or not may depend on what else you decide to pack into your kitchen items.
- Pizza cutter
- Scales
- Oven gloves
- Sandwich bags
- Blender
- Egg cup
- Whisk
- Coffee machine/French press
- Rice cooker/slow cooker/air fryer - maybe contact your flatmates to see whose taking these items so that you don’t double up
Don’t need to take with you:
- Fridge
- Microwave
- Kettle
Bathroom
Necessities
- Towels (hand and body)
- Bath mat
- Toiletries - toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, makeup, deodorant, shaving cream, fragrance, hair products
- Toothbrush
- Razor or other hair removal items, e.g. wax strips, epilator, if you prefer
- Hair brush
- Small first aid kit
- Toothbrush holder (i.e. a spare cup)
Recommended
- Hair dryer and other styling tools
- Flip flops (especially if in shared bathroom accommodation)
- Mesh scrubber for shower
Electronics
Necessities
- Chargers
- Speaker - it doesn’t need to be big, but may be a good addition for pre drinks with your new flatmates
- Headphones/earphones
- Extension lead - can be super useful if you want multiple plugs by your desk or bed
Recommended
- TV - a lot of university accommodations will already provide a TV, making it easy to break the ice with your flat mates and organise group movie nights
- Portable charger
- Games console
Studying items
Don't forget that you are here to learn! So you’ll need to pack all your essential stationary items.
Necessities
At the very minimum this may include:
- Pens and paper
- Highlighters
- Post it notes
- Course textbooks
- Diary
Recommended
- Laptop - although it is very useful, if you don’t have access to a laptop this is no issue as the university will have libraries and study spaces that provide computer use)
- Stapler
- Hole punch
Other essentials:
- Medicine
- Ear plugs and eye mask - especially in freshers week, it can be noisy at night, so be prepared if you want a good night’s sleep
- Plug adaptors
- ID - passport and/or driving license
- Clothes and coat hangers
- Water bottle
- Smaller rucksack
- Clothes airer and laundry detergent - even though most accommodation will provide washing machines and dryers
- Cleaning items - baby wipes, bin bags, sprays, bleach
Each accommodation may be slightly different so make sure you check each one's individual provisions so that you only pack the essentials.
Whether you’re feeling even more daunted after reading that list or relieved that you now know, be sure to take a look at our student accommodation near Chester University to ensure an easy transition to university in an accommodation you can trust.
Written by Kate
