My 10 things to pack, 10 things to not...

Are you overthinking what to pack for uni?

These are things that I, as a now second-year student, regretted bringing with me or was very glad I brought when I first moved into halls last year. 

Starting with the ten things I recommend packing:

1. Important documents - especially if you are planning on finding part-time work, knowing your National Insurance number is key and having photographic ID, such as your passport or driving licence, is important.
2. Mattress protector/good bedding - If you are thinking of coming to university without a mattress protector, think again, as so many people have used the mattress before you. Also, I recommend that you bring two bedding sets with you so you’re not having to wash, dry and re-sheet the bed all on the same day. A mattress topper is also worth buying for comfort, as your bed in halls may not be as good as the one you have at home. 
3. Pasta bowls - I used my pasta bowls more than anything else in first year. If you like pasta, trust me, this will be a meal you make at least once a week, if not twice. Even in my second year, I still use them more than I use plates.
4. A first Aid Kit/Freshers flu survival kit - Trust me, when you’re ill in first year, you will want to have a stock of over-the-counter painkillers and cold and flu tablets to help you fight off freshers' flu. I personally put in some plasters into my kit too, just in case I or anyone else got hurt and I made a point of putting lozenges and cough sweets in it too. This is by far one of the most practical things to have stored in your drawer - it is better safe than sorry.
5. Clothes Hangers - Your room will come with a wardrobe but clothes hangers are not provided. If you have some at home they are a super handy little thing to bring and saves you having to purchase any once you have moved in.
6. A unique cutlery set - A good cutlery set is needed. Try to avoid buying the Amazon or IKEA basic sets, as so many uni students do, because otherwise it could get very confusing. I personally bought a set with grey handles. Having some distinctive feature is wise, especially when you may leave your cutlery to dry on a drying rack and get it muddled up with other people's.
7. Noise-cancelling headphones/ear plugs - A way to block out sound is very important when living in halls, even if you are living in a quiet flat. There are a lot of people usually living in each block, with very different daily routines. Some will be early birds, and some will stay up until 2 a.m. regularly, so you will appreciate having these to ensure you get some good rest when you need it, and not just when the building's quiet.
8. Chargers/power bank/Extension lead - Remembering to pack chargers is something I personally set a reminder to do, as they’re so easily forgotten but also very important. A power bank is very handy if you like going to gigs regularly or plan on going on some longer days out. An extension lead with multiple charging sockets is important as well if you are bringing lots of devices with you.
9. Travel mug/water bottle - I could not have lived without my emotional support water bottle; it came everywhere with me in first year and saved me lots of money, as I didn't have to buy water when I was out and about. A travel mug is a great idea if you’re a tea or coffee drinker. It's great to have it with you and ready for lectures and will, again, save you money.
10. Crocs/Slippers/flipflops - Bring something you can easily put on your feet and wear around your communal spaces and to and from the shower (if you have a flat with a shared bathroom). Trust me, you will not want to put on your trainers every time you need to grab something from the kitchen and most certainly won’t want to be barefoot in the communal areas.

Ten things not to bother packing:

1. Printer - It is not essential to bring a printer with you. You will have access to so many, including those in the library and your hall's common rooms. For the little use it is going to get, it will take up so much space in your small dorm room, and it is affordable to print things at the uni when needed.
2. Excessive amounts of stationery - Most of the time, you will want to work on your laptop and won’t need a lot of stationery. A few pens and a notepad or two aren’t a bad idea, but excessive amounts are not necessary if your course doesn’t require them. It is something that is very easy to buy if, say, you need say a highlighter or a ruler and didn’t pack one.
3. Summer clothes - You will be moving to university when it is about to get cold, so you won’t need summer clothes taking up space in your wardrobe when they are not essential. I highly recommend swapping out clothes as and when the seasons change. I also guarantee you will buy clothes when you are here and then struggle to find somewhere to put them if you bring lots and lots from home already!
4. Unnecessary kitchen bits - This one really depends on you being honest with yourself. Are you going to need all the utensils you could bring with you if you aren’t going to use them? They will only make your life harder when you transport them it to your new house for second year. I know my flatmate regretted bringing a potato masher, as he never reached for it.
5. Old textbooks - You might be tempted to bring some of your old A-level notes with you if you, for instance, took A-Level Psychology and are now doing a degree in Psychology. However, most of the time, the content is very different, and you won’t need it. You can easily just transfer your notes to a Word document if you think any of them is important.
6. Toaster and kettles - I would recommend waiting to buy these with your flatmates, as you don’t need excessive amounts of them, and they do take up a fair bit of space in your car’s boot.
7. Clothes airer - If you are living in halls, you get free washing facilities and will rarely reach for this. I only used mine for jumpers and cardigans, which you can easily hang up to air-dry.
8. Air fryers - A great idea to get one, but it is worth waiting to meet your flatmates and possibly buying one as a flat instead.
9. Candles and incense - Unfortunately, candles are banned from halls as they’re a fire risk and incense too for the same reason. I recommend getting a reed diffuser or a nice room spray if you want that same kind of feel, but without breaking your accommodation rules.
10. Iron and ironing board - I can put my hands up and admit that I did not use the provided ironing board in my halls, let alone feel the need to bring my own with me. A good crease-release spray works wonders, and the “hang it in the bathroom while you take a hot shower” method also works well.

Hope this helped, and good luck with moving in!