To make your uni life much easier, we’ve constructed a checklist of 17 university living essentials that you’d probably not even thought of, so don’t forget to pack them when preparing to move away from home!
Let’s get into it, here are the 17 university living essentials you need:
1. Laundry bag
We’re not just talking about any laundry bag; we’re talking about a laundry bag with handles. Believe us when we say this will be a life-changer. You can scoop up all your laundry and easily carry it to and from the laundry room without losing socks along the way.
2. All in 1 washing pods
If you manage to get your hands on some all-in-1 washing liquid capsules by Bold, then you’ll be saving yourself money and time. You can find them in most popular supermarkets. They’re super cheap, make your washing smell amazing, and include fabric softener! No faffing around with different liquids trying to figure out which drawer you’re supposed to put it in, you just throw a pod in the washer instead.
3. Weekly meal planner
Although you might think it’s a chore to sit down and plan your meals for the week, you’ll be surprised at how it pays off! Food shopping will become less stressful and there will be less impulse spending. Not only that, but you’ll also have less food waste as you can plan to buy just the right amount of food.
4. Greaseproof or baking paper
The Holy Grail of kitchen necessities, there are a few reasons why you need this. You won’t be scrubbing away at burnt sauce that’s stuck to your baking tray, it will make your baking tray last longer and your food won’t stick to it.
5. Freezer bags and containers
Perhaps you cook a liiiiitle too much lasagne and you don’t want to throw the rest away. Well, freezer bags and containers will solve that problem. They do a great job at reducing waste, and you can save yourself some meals in the future!
6. Extension lead
You might want to take one of these if you’re unsure where your plug sockets are. You can have access to electricity no matter where you are in your room.
7. Cleaning caddy & small box
Purchasing a small cleaning caddy with a carry handle can help to store all of your cleaning products neat and tidy. The same goes for your toiletries – you’ll be thankful for a small box or tub to store all of them in too!
8. First aid box
You never know when you might need a plaster. It’s always good to have a small first aid box to hand. The same goes for some paracetamol, the last thing you want to be doing when you’re not feeling too good is having to visit the shop.
9. Ring Binder
To prevent all of your important things from going missing, it’s a great idea to have a ring binder. You can store all of your essential info such as prescriptions, certificates or rental contracts, etc.
10. Slippers/sliders
Perfect for if you need to quickly run to the bins, or whilst you sort out your laundry. You won’t want to keep putting on your trainers just to take them right off again.
11. Cash box
If you have any valuables or want a space to keep your spare change in one place, then a cash box will be the solution. They are lockable with a key, so it gives you that extra security.
12. Room diffuser
Candles aren’t usually allowed in student halls, so this is the best way to keep your room smelling fresh as a daisy! Room diffusers are possibly more practical than a candle, just chose a scent that you love and let it do its job, no need to light them.
13. Pushpins
All of our rooms at U-Student have a pinboard, so you can make your room more personal to you. You can pin your polaroid pics, party invites and revision notes to it, only if you have pins of course!
14. Over door hooks
If you’re wanting extra space to hang up your coats and bags, then over-door hooks are a must! If you know you’re going to fill your wardrobe, then you might want to consider buying one of these.
15. Clothes hangers
The last thing you want is to start unpacking your clothes, then realise you’ve not bought any clothes hangers. To keep all of your clothes neat and crease-free, you’ll want some of these for sure!
16. Dishmatic re-fillable sponge
These are an absolute lifesaver, the Dishmatic fill and clean sponge can be filled with soap so it’s always ready to use! You can find these in most supermarkets or online.
17. Antibacterial wipes
A simple way to clean up a small mess or make sure surfaces are clean before using them. If you’re sharing a kitchen, it might be a good idea to use a food-safe-antibacterial wipe on the surfaces before you start to prep your food.
Have you added these 17 university living essentials to your shopping list yet? Uni living will be a breeze if so. Don’t forget to check out our other blog articles for more tips and info, happy shopping!
