What to bring to University

Wednesday 13-08-2014 - 16:06
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Deciding what to bring to University can be a challenging experience for new, and even returning students.

Striking a balance between practicality, upfront costs and sentimentality can be difficult, as our Vice President for Health and Social Care, Jasmine Pokuaa found out when she first moved to Salford.

 

 

The life of independence struck me at the age of 18. It was finally time to move out for university. I am extremely sentimental so I wanted to pack absolutely everything.

Moving from London to Manchester was such a big step, and in my head it was a million miles away so I didn’t want to leave anything behind! My parents thought I was just hoarding, so told me to only pack the essentials. To me, everything was essential! Dad’s car however was not big enough to carry my whole life in it. Still, I found a way to shove clothes, pictures, papers, pens, old birthday cards, and a gazillion tooth brushes into the corners of Dad’s car. Only when I moved into my new home that I realised that I definitely did not need all of the things I had dragged north with me. This hit me as I began to carry all of my items up flights of stairs, in accommodation with no lift…

After this first experience, I can definitely advise that you really do only have bring the essentials – otherwise, apart from having to lug everything up many stairs, you will simply have no room to manoeuvre in your student accommodation sized room. Avoid bringing the ‘just in case’ items. You will most likely not use them. Another pro tip - you will only have a small wardrobe and you will need to move again in June. Think about it.

To help, I’ve created some lists and tips below that might help with your packing and settling in.  Some people will obviously want more or less, but this should give you a good idea of where to start.

Basic clothing

  • Underwear, socks (make sure you have a lot of these), vests and tights.
  • 1 or 2 pairs of comfortable shoes, trainers, flip flops for the shower.
  • Smart shoes/a pair of heels –perfect for job interviews, clubbing or smarter events.
  • 1 set of sleeping clothes – Pyjamas or otherwise an old shirt and shorts will do (I didn’t really own proper Pjs, so when I first arrived I just used a few promo ones I got from the Welcome Trade Fair… freebieeeeeeees!!!)
  • 2-4 jeans.
  • Pair of black trousers (especially if you are thinking about getting a part time job).
  • A mix of 2-3 casual skirts, leggings, shorts or other trousers.
  • Around 6-8 blouses/shirts/tees – You’ll want to layer these with jumpers, cardigans and your raincoat.
  • Fleece jumpers or warm cotton sweatshirts - much, much easier to wash and dry than knits.   
  • Hat, gloves, scarf.
  • Warm, waterproof winter coat. Essential for Manchester winters!
  • If you’re keeping active at the Sports Centre pool/gym or join one of our sports teams, you’ll want your swimming and gym gear.

Your Bedroom

  • Bedding – Try 1 Duvet, 2 bed sheet covers (confirm what size your bed is first!), 2 duvet covers, 2 pillows, 4 pillow cases, a blanket and a mattress protector.
  • A few photos, memories to personalise your room. I wouldn’t bring more than four 8x6 picture frames, you won’t have the room! Try investing in a scrap book if you want to keep your memories in one compact place.
  • Around 3 or so posters of your favourite things. You can grab them when you arrive though - try Afflecks Palace in Manchester City Centre for a good choice.
  • Desk lamp - ask if one is provided first.
  • Hot water bottle – it gets mean cold here.
  • Small rubbish bin.
  • Noticeboard – You may get one if you’re in university student accommodation
  • Planner.
  • Push pins.

Laundry/Bathroom

  • 1-2 bath towels. I had 4 which is slightly cuckoo, but you should have at least 2.
  • A hand towel.
  • A laundry bag. Laundry baskets take up too much space.
  • Buy washing powder once you are here – Our students’ union shop sells compact size boxes that don’t take up a lot of room, and they’re reasonably priced.

Personal Items

  • 1 mug.
  • Everyday moisturiser, deodorant (ESSENTIAL… I will recommend Mitchum), soap/shower gel, shampoo/conditioner, shaving cream, razor.
  • 2 toothbrushes and tooth paste. Try picking these up at Poundland or Wilkinsons. These discount places should be your new best buds because we know students aren’t exactly oozing with cash.
  • Lip balm - essential for the harsh weather to avoid chapped lips.
  • For the ladies: sanitary towels/tampons, contraceptives.
  • Toilet tissue, air freshener.  You don’t want to punish your flat mate’s sinuses!
  • Make up, make up remover, hair brushes, combs. I change my hair at least once every two months because I am slightly nutsy, so bring anything you might need to do the same!
  • Purse/wallet –decent sized for your student ID, NUS card, bank card, bus/train passes.
  • Key ring. I had about 12 keys on to start, but trust me – try have no more than two, as it becomes extremely heavy to carry about.
  • Painkillers, Antiseptic cream, Cold/flu remedy, tweezers, plasters.
  • Other personal health items (Condoms, dams, spermicides etc – for advice on any of these, please contact Student Life, local LGBT groups or the Health Centre)

Academic supplies

  • A back pack – choose one with comfortable straps and that is water proof. We all know this is Rain-chester!
  • Laptop or tablet and any international adaptors (I’ve gone without for three years, so don’t worry if you don’t have your own. Our library has plenty of IT facilities)
  • Textbooks, folders, note pads, quality water bottle
  • At least 3 decent pens
  • A USB pen drive
  • Highlighters, permanent markers
  • White Tack or Blu Tack
  • Student planner/diary

Essentially Essentials!

  • Passport for registration. Return this home or keep it very safe after registration - don’t dig it back out!
  • If you have a driving ID, use this for registration instead.
  • Passport photos - Take at least four, and keep some with you. There is a booth in University House.
  • Photocopy of your passport photo page in case you do lose your original.
  • NI Number.
  • NHS medical card.
  • Health insurance details (for international students)
  • Any insurance documents.
  • Confirmation letters of scholarship/bursary if appropriate, and any information from your LEA, the SLC (Student Loans Company) or Student Finance Direct.
  • Any documents regarding your accommodation, including your address!
  • Bank debit card.
  • Travel discount cards (16-25 Railcard etc) - Great for cheap travel home and around the North West of England. You can buy bus passes from our finance office.
  • CRB check - applicant's copy (if required by your course)

Electrical Equipment 

Check that you can bring some of the items to halls as the accommodation rules change quite often.

  • Laptop case.
  • Phone.
  • Any chargers and socket converters (if you are an international student)
  • Mouse, mouse mat.
  • Headphones.
  • Rechargeable batteries.
  • Torch.

Kitchen Equipment

Pro tip - taking just one or two of everything encourages you to wash things straight away, but you might like to have more in case you have people over. Again, check what is provided in your halls before you buy anything. You might also be interested in KitchPack or picking up second hand pieces from our charity jumble sale.

  • You will inevitably have a communal kitchen coffee maker – phew!
  • Small casserole dish.
  • Small frying pan and large frying pan.
  • Large saucepan (with lid), Small saucepan (with lid)
  • Bottle opener (key ring ones are handy)
  • Flat baking tray.
  • 2-4 plates, spoons, forks, knives, cups.
  • 2 chopping knives.
  • Sandwich bags, lunch box.
  • Bin bags.
  • Tin opener.
  • Spatula.
  • Tea towels.
  • Washing up liquid – again, you can grab this from the SU shop or other discount shops.

Basic Ingredients

Our eShop is now selling starter kits for you to collect from day one, so you have some things in before you find your local shops. There are lots of shops nearby to all accommodation and rentals that you can get groceries from, so wait until you’re here for most of these. However, for your first shop, I recommend the following: 

  • Salt, pepper, herbs, spices, sugar or sweetener
  • Ketchup, mayonnaise/salad cream
  • Hot drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate) – perfect for early starts, cosy evenings or study sessions
  • Cooking oil/spray
  • Spreads - honey, jam, Marmite, peanut butter
  • Pasta sauce
  • Tins - Stock up on soup, fruit/veg, custard, rice pudding, meats, beans, peas etc
  • Cereal
  • Fruit squash/Ribena - or try Vimto, a northern classic!
  • Packet foods - e.g pasta/curry sauce, noodles, boil-in-the-bag rice, Angel Delight, pasta, jelly, biscuits, crisps, instant mash etc.

Health tips

  • Freshers Flu
    Welcome to the unusual world of ‘Freshers flu’: a general cold/ virus that most people get during the first few weeks of university. This is completely normal… get a lot of sleep and use those cold/flu remedies!
  • Vaccinations
    Check your vaccinations are up to date before you arrive - especially tetanus, measles, mumps and meningitis. During Welcome, there will be University medical teams available so register with them.
  • Hanky panky - Ooh la la!
    If you’re planning on being sexually active, you can sign up for free condoms from the University’s Student Life team. For additional LGBT support, check out our LGBT society on Facebook, or contact the George House Trust.

Good luck to you all, get ready to have an amazing time!

Jasmine is currently your Vice President for the Health and Social Care college.

Author: Jasmine Pokuaa

Email: ussu-vphsc@salford.ac.uk

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jasmine.vphscussu

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SalfordVPHSC

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