What you should and should not bring to university

With the beginning of a new university year approaching quickly, now is the perfect time for a trip to the shops to stock up on everything you need. Whether moving into halls, private accommodation, or even returning to the same place as last year, there are always things you will require. This article will give you the low-down on what to bring to university, so you (hopefully) avoid getting here and then remembering everything you forgot to buy.

There are many packing lists out there that are so helpful to consult when putting your shopping lists together. These lists cover all of the main items, and so, can be a great base to start from.

Slippers are a must-have – quick, convenient and cosy

There are a lot of things that seem obvious: crockery, cutlery, bedding, etc. There are, however, several considerations when choosing these. My advice is to bring multiple plates, bowls, mugs, and glasses. Especially in halls, these can easily get broken so having a spare always comes in handy. An even bigger problem in halls, is that kitchen items quickly get lost. Dishes pile up, and before you know it, your cutlery is nowhere to be seen. One of my suggestions is to buy unique items. If you bring a plate with a pattern, or cutlery that isn’t just plain silver, you’ll be able to spot what is yours and it won’t get muddled up with other people’s stuff. And definitely don’t bring your favourite mug to university.

Packing lists are never exhaustive so here are the items I didn’t expect to use as much as I did. A good pair of slippers is essential. When you’re in your pyjamas and you have to leave your room, it can be such a pain to put on a pair of shoes. But you definitely don’t want to be barefoot in the corridor or the kitchen. Slippers are a must-have – quick, convenient and cosy.

If you’re like me and take all your notes on a laptop, then you definitely don’t need a ton of stationery

I underestimated how much tupperware I would need. As I worked on my cooking, I began to meal prep more. When you meal prep, tupperware is great for storing and reheating food. Furthermore, it’s a library day essential. Tupperware in all sizes is so handy for taking snacks out with you, either between lectures or for studying. On a similar note, a travel mug is necessary for tea or coffee drinkers. It can be such a money saver to make a coffee at home and take it out with you, rather than buy one somewhere. It’s also much more environmentally friendly.

In terms of what not to bring to university, a great starting place is the Welcome to Warwick website page. This lists things that are banned in halls. Avoid bringing any of these as they could be a safety hazard to you.

If you’re like me and take all your notes on a laptop, then you definitely don’t need a ton of stationery. You may end up spending too much money curating a perfect stationery collection that takes up loads of room, only to realise at the end of the year that you only used the first three pages of a notebook. Although, you may prefer to hand-write, and that’s absolutely fine. Just be mindful of space. If you’re arriving by car then try not to pack it completely full, because you will no doubt acquire lots more stuff over the course of the year.

Taking time and care with packing is very important. It is totally normal, though, to move in and then realise you are missing something you didn’t even think about bringing. This (and any other list) is only a highlight reel of what you need. The rest is up to you!