Moving away from home can be daunting and when it comes to packing, how are you meant to know what to take? It may feel like you want to take everything you own or not much at all, either way we have put together a list of some of the basics to try and help make the moving away process easier.

This list goes into a lot of detail so you may find you don’t need everything that is on here. It may be a good idea to buy some of the items once you are at uni and you know what you have within housing groups, this way you may be able to grab some great deals too around the start of term!

Top tip – make sure that you keep the things you may need for the first day aside and take this separately on the day that you move for example, cosmetics and toothbrush, change of clothes and food for a meal, money, anything you think you will need to get your hands on fast as this will save you getting bogged down with unpacking as soon as you arrive if you don’t want to.

Academic

• Academic diary / wall planner / calendar
• Blank notebooks for taking notes at lectures
• Stationary- pens, highlighters etc.
• Memory stick
• Exam results/certificates

Bathroom items

• Towels
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Make-up remover
• Nail varnish remover
• Shower gel
• Facewash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair gel/wax
• Hair brush/comb
• Hair grips/ hair bands
• Razor
• Shaving cream
• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Toilet roll

Bedroom items

• Sheets
  • Duvet/quilt
  • Duvet/quilt cover
• Pillows
  • Pillow cases
• Cushions
• Blanket/throw

Decorative items

• Photos
• Cuddly toys
• Lamp
• Alarm clock (to make sure that you’re on time for Uni)

Clothing

Everyday

• Normal, casual clothing
• Clean underwear and socks
• Comfy shoes
• Dressing gown
• Pyjamas or adult onesie
• Slippers
• Flip-flops
• Waterproof coat
• A warm coat, gloves, scarf and hat

Formal

• Dark suit/evening dress
• Smart shoes/heels
• Clothing suitable for interviews for part-time jobs
• Clothes and shoes to wear on nights out

Other

• Swimwear
• Gym/sports clothes & trainers
• Fancy dress (another post coming soon to help with this)

Documents

• Passport & Passport Photos
• Driving licence
• Bus pass
• National Insurance number
• NHS medical card
• Any information from the Student Loans Company or Student Finance Direct
• Your unconditional offer from the university
• Any documents regarding your accommodation
• Bank debit card
• Paying-in book
• Bank or building society details
• Travel discount cards (16-25 Railcard etc)
• CV and references

Electrical Items

• Computer/laptop & case
  • Charger
  • Printer
  • Paper
  • Printer ink
  • External hard-drive
  • CD-R/RW (for creating hard backups)
• Mobile phone
  • Charger
  • USB lead
  • Headphones
• Digital camera
  • Memory card
  • USB lead
  • Battery
  • Charger
• Television
  • TV License
• DVD player
  • DVDs
  • SCART/composite video/HDMI lead
  • Power lead
• Games console(s)
• MP3 player/iPod
  • USB lead (charger)
  • Mains charger
  • Headphones
  • Docking station / Speakers
• Headphones
• Rechargeable batteries (to save the pennies)
  • Charger
• Hair dryer
• Hair straighteners/curling tongs
• Iron
  • Ironing board

First aid items

• Prescription medication including contraceptives
• Painkillers
• Plasters
• Bandages
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antiseptic cream
• Eye wash
• Cold/flu remedy (you may need this for fresher’s flu)
• Safety pins
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Vitamins

Kitchen Items- Appliances

Beware: If you are sharing you may end up with many of the same appliance in one house so it may be worth buying these while at uni if you haven’t got them already.

• frying pan
• Wok or large frying pan (with lid)
• Large saucepan (with lid)
• Small saucepan (with lid)
• Flat baking tray (for oven chips!)
• Tin opener
• Bottle opener
• Corkscrew
• Vegetable peeler
• Garlic crusher
• Cheese grater
• Wooden spoons or spatulas
• Masher
• Microwavable bowl
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring jug
• Colander
• Chopping knives
• Chopping board

Storage

• Tupperware
• Sandwich bags
• Fruit bowl (hopefully this will have something in it at some point)
• Cling film

Tableware

• Glasses (wine glasses, shot glasses, pint glasses, tumblers, high-ball)
• Cutlery (knives, forks, spoons)
• Crockery (plates, bowls, mugs, cups)

Basic Ingredients

• Salt
• Pepper
• Herbs and spices
• Sugar
• Ketchup
• Mayonnaise/ salad cream
• Hot drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate)
• Cooking oil
• Flour
• Tins – stock up on soup, tinned fruit/veg, custard, rice pudding, canned meats, beans, peas etc
• Cereal
• Packet foods – eg pasta/curry sauce, noodles, boil-in-the-bag rice, biscuits, crisps etc.

Other

• Oven gloves
• Tea towels
• Greaseproof paper
• Bin bags
• Recipe book/ instructions from your mum

Laundry and housekeeping items

• Washing powder
• Fabric softener
• Coat hangers
• Washing-up liquid
• Cloth
• Kitchen Roll
• Cleaning equipment
• Toilet cleaner
• Bleach

Miscellaneous Items

• Board games
• Books/novels (fiction/non-fiction)
• Pack of cards
• Balls/Frisbees
• Sports equipment
• Local taxi number
• Local map
• Local doctor’s Number
• Local dentist number
• Takeaway menus
• Vouchers for anything and everything
• Money