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University Essentials List

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A pile of moving boxes and clothes.

So you scored high on your A-levels and wrote an award-winning personal statement that landed you in university! Now you may be wondering how to prepare for the next step: moving into your student accommodation with all your room and university essentials. 

Knowing exactly what to take to uni, and what not to take, can make adjusting to your new student accommodation a breeze. We’ve created the ultimate guide to university essentials to help you avoid showing up empty-handed.

Essential Uni Checklist 

There are nine main categories for an essential uni shopping list that you should consider when gathering your belongings and preparing for the things you’ll need for your studies. Below is a broad overview of what to bring to university:

  • Bedroom items
  • Bathroom items & toiletries
  • Kitchen utensils & equipment
  • Study supplies
  • Tech supplies 
  • Cleaning kit
  • First aid kit 
  • Documents 
  • Miscellaneous

Within your main checklist, numerous other first-year university packing list items can easily slip through the cracks if you’ve never lived on your own! Even if you’ve moved several times or are returning to uni after the summer, these items can still catch you by surprise if you don’t have a thorough checklist to keep organised while preparing for university. 

Bedroom Essentials For Uni

Having a comfortable bedroom can make a difference when you are stressed, tired, missing home, or in need of a good study session. That said, you won’t want to forget these bedroom essentials for uni students:

  • Duvet
  • Sheets
  • Pillows
  • Mattress protector
  • Mattress topper
  • Hangers
  • Under-bed storage
  • Over door hooks
  • Command strips
  • Desk lamp
  • Photos and posters
  • Fan

Tip: Bring more than one bedding set so that you’re not left without bedding while you wait for your laundry to dry, and check the mattress size before you buy to get the correct size. Also, don’t forget your mattress protector. This essential item keeps out pesky dust mites and offers more protection from the mattress you’re sleeping on, which may not be new.

Bathroom Essentials For Uni

Whether you have a shared bathroom or your own personal one, the right bathroom essentials for uni can make your experience in an unfamiliar place that much more comforting. You’ll want to bring a wash bag, towel, and plenty of toiletries. We’ve broken down all the things to take to uni that you should include in your wash bag and for daily bathroom routines  in the checklist below:

  • Medicine
  • Slippers or waterproof sliders
  • Toilet cleaning supplies
  • Toilet rolls
  • Towel Set
  • Wash Bag

Toiletries

Toiletries are a bit of a category on their own, as they contain so many of your essentials. Your wash bag will contain most toiletries, so be sure to tick off the following toiletries list before heading off to uni:

  • Bath sponge
  • Bath mat
  • Conditioner
  • Contact lens supplies, if needed
  • Cotton swabs
  • Dental floss 
  • Deodorant 
  • Feminine hygiene products, if needed
  • Hair brush or comb
  • Hand soap
  • Lotion 
  • Nail clippers
  • Shampoo
  • Shaving supplies
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste 

Kitchen Essentials for Uni

Even if you’re living off a meagre student diet of cereal, toast, and pasta, having a proper set of kitchen supplies can set you up for cooking nutritious meals that aid your studies.  

A kitchen starter kit can help you gather the basics for cooking and dining as a student. These uni starter packs for kitchens typically include 18 to 35 of your most common kitchen items to make getting what you need whilst in uni faster than individually shopping for all of the items below:

  • Saucepans in varying sizes
  • Frying pan
  • Baking tray
  • Basic spices and oil
  • Chopping board
  • Colander 
  • Cutlery
  • Foil, cling film, and baking paper
  • Food containers and tupperware
  • Grater 
  • Knife set
  • Measuring jug
  • Mugs and glasses
  • Plates and bowls
  • Tin opener and peeler
  • Utensils, wooden spoons, ladles, spatulas, etc.
  • Tea towels

Three copper cooking pans with black handles stacked on top of each other.

Study Essentials for Uni

Knowing what to pack for university studying can mean the difference between high and low marks on your papers. Having an organised study space is paramount to doing well on your exams, staying focused, and keeping track of your work. Don’t forget to take these study essentials with you to university:

  • Paperclips
  • Folders
  • Notebooks
  • Pens, pencils, and highlighters
  • Planner or diary
  • Ruler 
  • Stamps 
  • Stapler 
  • Sticky notes
  • Tape 

Tech Essentials for Uni

Perhaps one of the most essential categories for uni students, having all the technology in order before heading off to university can help prevent any delays in any online coursework during your studies. The following checklist for tech essentials can help you get off to a good start.

  • Extension lead
  • Headphones
  • Laptop
  • Phone charger
  • USB stick or external hard drive
  • Plug adapters (for international students)

Tip: If you’re moving to the UK from the U.S. or Europe, you’ll need a plug adapter to charge your electronic devices. Order several in advance to avoid having to search for adapters in shops upon arrival. 

Cleaning Kit Uni Essentials List

Keeping your student living space clean can make all the difference in how comfortable and clear-headed you are while studying at uni. You’ll need to purchase several supplies yourself, but some student accommodations offer cleaning equipment like hoovers, mops, and brooms, while others might not have those features. 

It’s a good idea to have cleaning supplies on hand, regardless of the equipment offered, so here are a couple of cleaning kit supplies to purchase ahead of time:

  • Bin bags
  • Brushes  
  • Cleaning cloths
  • Dustpan
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Multipurpose cleaning solutions
  • Rubber gloves
  • Sponges 
  • Surface wipes

First Aid Kit for Uni

Though first aid may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of student essentials, accidents can happen while at uni, so having a first aid kit near you is essential for emergencies. Smaller first aid kits include sterile kits with your basic medications and medical supplies. These kits are designed for travel and may only be necessary when visiting your home or traveling to your university. 

Meanwhile, a general first aid kit has emergency items, such as: 

  • Antacids for recovering after a night out
  • Bandages
  • Disposable gloves
  • Fluid replacement powders or tablets for upset stomachs
  • Gauze pads
  • Paracetamol tablets
  • Plasters
  • Scissors 
  • Sterile eye pads
  • Sterile dressings for wounds
  • Sterilising water
  • Sunscreen

Tip: You can DIY your uni first aid kit, but we recommend purchasing a professional first aid kit so that you have everything you need if the moment arises. 

A first aid kit in a red bag with all of the essentials.

Documents, Bags, and Cards

Whether you’re an international university student or a local, there will be times when you’ll need to have important documentation at the ready. Here’s what you need for university identification and paperwork:

  • 16-25 railcard 
  • Accommodation contract
  • Documentation for international students (visa, travel insurance, etc.)
  • Driving licence 
  • Passport
  • Prescription copies
  • Other ID cards
  • Scholarship, student financing, and insurance documents
  • Storage bag
  • Student ID

Tip: Keep all of your important information in a designated bag so that you’re not shuffling through desk drawers and loose papers trying to find documents at the last minute. 

Handy Extras To Pack

We’ve rounded up some miscellaneous, but good to have, items for university students that you’ll want to add to your checklist. While many of these items aren’t necessary, they can be helpful during your time as a student. 

  • Reusable water bottle – for all those walks to and from university or around the city
  • Flask – for keeping drinks hot or cold, depending on the time of year
  • Reusable shopping bags – to avoid being charged extra at the shops and to keep from having an impressive collection of plastic bags by the end of the year
  • Earplugs – for times when you want to sleep undisturbed or have noisy flatmates
  • Toolkit – for fixing bicycles and other equipment

Book Your Student Accommodation With Now Student Living

Finding the right student accommodation may help take the weight off of carrying all of your belongings with you to your new home. When you choose Now Student Living for your accommodation, you’ll quickly find yourself in a fun community of students. We offer shared common rooms, study areas, and activities to help with the burden of gathering every essential university item. 

Our beautiful properties are located near universities across the UK, putting you at the centre of all there is to offer as a student looking to explore the city, experience university life, and have a nightlife. 

Reach out to us to learn more about all that we have to offer at Now Student Living, and book your student accommodation today.