I have a heavy habit of overpacking, but when I'm living in university halls with a bunch of other people, space is scarce and I want to avoid it at all costs. I've compiled a list of the top five kitchen and room essentials I'm going to take to university. If I've missed anything important off, let me know!
Top 5 Room essentials
1) A Doorstop(s)
I have to admit that the first "essentials" I phisically bought were two doorstops (pictured below). Yes, two. They were both so cute that I couldn't leave either of them behind. Doorstops can be really important for the first few weeks of university when you're getting to know people, propping your room door open says to others "Hello i'm social and want to make friends", making it a a whole lot easier to get to know each other . NOTE: Check it isn't a fire door before you prop it open - you may get into trouble!
Top 5 Room essentials
1) A Doorstop(s)
I have to admit that the first "essentials" I phisically bought were two doorstops (pictured below). Yes, two. They were both so cute that I couldn't leave either of them behind. Doorstops can be really important for the first few weeks of university when you're getting to know people, propping your room door open says to others "Hello i'm social and want to make friends", making it a a whole lot easier to get to know each other . NOTE: Check it isn't a fire door before you prop it open - you may get into trouble!
2) Stationary
There are many points to university but one of the most significant ones is, to LEARN. Buying a really good file, notepad, pens, calculator ect makes me me feel prepared, organised and I almost enjoy taken notes in that crisp new notepad. Also I don't want to rush and spend £100 on textbooks that I will never use in class, so I'm going to wait until i've started my course. All in all, good and plentiful stationary sets the right tone for the year.
3) Technical things
My Alarm Clock; without this there is absolutely no hope of getting to my morning lectures on time. My Laptop i.e. my life (yup), my phone to contact the family, and of course all the chargers and wires that go with it.
4) Personal things
I keep having to remind myself; i'm going to university, not prison! I think it's important to take bits of home with me to make my room feel comfortable as it is where i'm going to be spending a whole lot of time. I'm taking photos, a couple of small ornaments , a few books I enjoy, a deck of cards, a board game for a rainy day, fairy lights ect
5) Grown up things
Documents, Passport, ID, National insurance number, bank documents ect. I keep them together in a kind of organised file. Basically bring all things that are associated with the words "responsibility" , "adult" and "ageing".
Top 5 Kitchen essentials
I'm self - catered so I will need considerably more bits and bobs compared to someone living in catered accommodation. Additionally it is important to check out what equipment your accommodation already has. I'm not even bothering buying big appliances like microwaves and toasters yet, because if everyone in the accommodation brings it we're going to end up with a very cluttered kitchen!
1) Plates, side plates and dishes
I'm going for a cheap set as no doubt i'll break them.
2) A good frying pan and a sauce pan.
A good non stick frying pan, for me, will be a life saver and a saucepan is perfect to boil all that bulk bought pasta.
3) A colander
A colander with small holes is much more versatile, from peas to pasta, it does a great job.
4) Cutlery
Knives, forks, spoons. I'm taking more than I need because I have a sneaky feeling that they will go missing.
5) A Tin Opener and a good knife and a chopping board.
To open tins, to chop things and to chop things on.
So there are my top 5's! What are yours? At the end of the day my home is only 4 hours train journey from my university, so not too much hassle if I forget anything...
There are many points to university but one of the most significant ones is, to LEARN. Buying a really good file, notepad, pens, calculator ect makes me me feel prepared, organised and I almost enjoy taken notes in that crisp new notepad. Also I don't want to rush and spend £100 on textbooks that I will never use in class, so I'm going to wait until i've started my course. All in all, good and plentiful stationary sets the right tone for the year.
3) Technical things
My Alarm Clock; without this there is absolutely no hope of getting to my morning lectures on time. My Laptop i.e. my life (yup), my phone to contact the family, and of course all the chargers and wires that go with it.
4) Personal things
I keep having to remind myself; i'm going to university, not prison! I think it's important to take bits of home with me to make my room feel comfortable as it is where i'm going to be spending a whole lot of time. I'm taking photos, a couple of small ornaments , a few books I enjoy, a deck of cards, a board game for a rainy day, fairy lights ect
5) Grown up things
Documents, Passport, ID, National insurance number, bank documents ect. I keep them together in a kind of organised file. Basically bring all things that are associated with the words "responsibility" , "adult" and "ageing".
Top 5 Kitchen essentials
I'm self - catered so I will need considerably more bits and bobs compared to someone living in catered accommodation. Additionally it is important to check out what equipment your accommodation already has. I'm not even bothering buying big appliances like microwaves and toasters yet, because if everyone in the accommodation brings it we're going to end up with a very cluttered kitchen!
1) Plates, side plates and dishes
I'm going for a cheap set as no doubt i'll break them.
2) A good frying pan and a sauce pan.
A good non stick frying pan, for me, will be a life saver and a saucepan is perfect to boil all that bulk bought pasta.
3) A colander
A colander with small holes is much more versatile, from peas to pasta, it does a great job.
4) Cutlery
Knives, forks, spoons. I'm taking more than I need because I have a sneaky feeling that they will go missing.
5) A Tin Opener and a good knife and a chopping board.
To open tins, to chop things and to chop things on.
So there are my top 5's! What are yours? At the end of the day my home is only 4 hours train journey from my university, so not too much hassle if I forget anything...