All the essential items you should pack for university

Whether you're packing for your first year at uni or you're returning after the holidays here are the essential items that you should take with you!

Important documents

Your passport and driving license are both very important when enrolling and proving your age!

Important paperwork

Copies of your university acceptance, student loan and accommodation letters or emails and any information about your course.

Stationery

Never under estimate how useful pens and paper are. Even though a lot of information is online, it's always useful to take couple of pens and a pad of paper to your lectures. Post-It notes and highlighters are also a must for those who are super-organised.

Chargers

While it's pretty obvious so many times people get caught out by forgetting to take chargers.

Power extension cable

A must for power hungry students who want to plug in all their electrical devices.

Kitchen Essentials

If you're going into self-catered accommodation then you'll have to take some kitchen essentials with you.

Don't take anything too expensive or precious, the likelihood of your pans and crockery surviving the first year is very low. All the usual cutlery, crockery and glasses are a must, but here are some extras you might not of thought of.

Student recipe book

Perfect for when you're bored of pot noodles and takeaways.Baking tray- perfect for your chips which will become a staple diet for most of your first year.Tupperware boxes- to keep leftover food or open packets.Washing up liquid, sponge and drying up cloth- essential if you don't want your shared kitchen to be a complete mess by the end of the first week.Other kitchen items:A couple of sharp knives, kitchen scissors, wooden spoons, cheese grater and chopping board.

Bedding

Take a set for a single bed including a blanket in case your bed has to double up as a sofa.

Photos

Print out photos of your friends and family and pop them in a frame, it will make your room more homely.

Bathroom essentials

Tissues and toilet paper are both equally essential, you never know when you might need them!

Clothes

Clothes are obviously essential, but make sure you have something smart and something for fancy dress, it will save you time and money if you get invited to a Freshers' ball or fancy dress pub crawl.

Clothes drying rack

You can't use a dryer for everything so having a drying rack will stop you having a damp pile of clothes.

Doorstop

Take one, or make your own doorstop out of some paper, it's great for helping when you're moving in. It's also good for making friends, so you're not shutting out your new flatmates. Make sure you're aware of fire regulations though and don't prop open doors that should be kept shut.

Sports Equipment

If you're into sport bring your gear, it's likely there will be a society for you to join which will also help you make friends.

Food

It's always a good idea to take some basic food with you such as breakfast cereals and bars, microwave meals and tea, coffee and sugar. Before your parents leave make sure you pop to the supermarket and stock up on some milk, margarine and bread. Sorted!

Also, take some sharing food to offer to your flatmates, it's a great way to make friends, crisps and dips, sweets, chocolate and drinks are always a good idea.

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