6th November 2023
Listen
Listen
It might feel a long way in the future now, but it’s never too early to start shopping for university. It is expensive to get everything you need, so spreading the cost can be a big help. The following list is a wide range of products which made my life so much easier during my first year of uni. They might not be on the packing list, but they made a world of difference for me!
https://www.loopearplugs.com/products/quiet?variant=48262905561423
If you invest in one thing before living in Halls, make it a decent pair of ear plugs. No matter how well you get on with your flatmates or how little everyone goes out, there will always be evenings where the flat is noisy while you are trying to sleep. I have the Loop Quiet 2. While they do not completely block out sound when you are falling asleep, I find them effective for reducing noise enough to keep me asleep when my flatmates return home. Loop does have some pricer ‘Dream’ earplugs which might be necessary for very light sleepers, but I would recommend everyone invest £20 in some decent ear plugs to save your sleep.
https://www.dunelm.com/product/cream-with-sage-trim-enamel-pie-dish-16cm-x-12cm-1000209259
I honestly think a little dish like this and a small baking tray is the only thing you need to bring to cook oven baked dishes in. I use my dish for potatoes, tray bakes, toad in the hole, the list goes on. It’s also useful as a make shift mixing bowl, and can store lots of your loose items from your cupboard.
https://uk.muji.eu/products/tools-screwdriver-set-701
You probably presume that you don’t need a screwdriver set, but at some point there will be an annoying item with a tiny screw. Lots of battery powered fairy lights are sealed up by a screw, and other battery powered items. At least one person in the flat needs a set of screwdrivers for DIY emergencies!!
Circuit laundry does not have a draw to pour in your own fabric softener, so I would recommend buying a big pack of 3 in 1 pods. You don’t have to faff around with heavy bottles of product, and while they do feel expensive, one pack should last you the whole year. I bought a 33 pack of pods in my first week, and had two left by the end of the year.
https://www.dunelm.com/product/elements-single-overdoor-hook-1000242966?defaultSkuId=30890765
One problem with halls is that the rooms come with big open storage. While this is fine for bulky items like jeans or hoodies, to store smaller items like socks you need to have drawer dividers and small baskets. If you have lots of hanging items, you might want to buy some additional over the door hooks to put on your wardrobe. Rooms do come with hooks to hang coats, but these single over the door hooks can be handy.
https://www.dunelm.com/product/addis-metallic-draining-rack-1000237688?defaultSkuId=30893498
I believe that if you are staying in UoL Halls, your accommodation won’t come with a drying up rack/dish drainer. It can be very perilous to have your entire flat’s drying up all stacked on top of each other. I would probably wait until you have moved into the flat to make sure no one else has bought one, but bear in mind this is an expense you may have to make during your first week.
The lighting in halls can be very harsh, so an alternative source of light is a must. I was in Greenbank Student Village, and I found the lighting extremely bright, and the desk lighting provided is a bright strip at eye level. I made use of my table lamp a lot, as well as battery powered fairy lights. Please do bare in mind that LED Strip lights and plug in fair lights are prohibited in UoL Halls.
This one might seem obvious, but this is your reminder that when you move to uni you can’t nick stationary from home anymore. You need your own sellotape, blue tac, drawing pins and all the other random bits that you just have at home.
Please don’t become that person who takes all their washing home or your family will hate you, but it can sometimes be a pain to go over to the laundrette. Travel wash can be a life saver to wash items you wear all the time, or to quickly wash something when you don’t have time to wash a proper load. I also use it to wash my reusable face-pads.
I did not find my mattress at Greenbank uncomfortable, so I just had a mattress protector for a little bit of extra comfort. However, if you do find the mattress really bad to sleep on, it might be wise to invest in a proper mattress topper. They will set you back upwards of £30, but if you find yourself sleeping badly it will be worth spending the money as good sleep is crucial at uni. Do be aware that you might end up with a single, three quarter or double bed so check before you buy your bedding.
This article is not an advert or sponsored in any way. Links are not affiliate. All views are author’s own.
For More tips on Lifestyle, click here!
To follow all things Student Media click here
