Money
1. Figure out how much you can afford to spend a week. As my maintenance loan didn't even cover half of my rent it was really important for me to budget from week to week so I could actually live. It also reduces stress about money and the amount you have to pay back!
2. Make sure you have insurance for your expensive equipment. A lot of agents include it in your contract but make sure to read it!
3. Get a railcard! Whether you are home sick and need to see your family or it's a family do, you need to be able to get home and at least with a railcard you get 1/3rd off your journey. A railcard is £30 a year and you'll have saved that money on your trips home in no time, so it's definitely worth it!
4. Sign up to Unidays and Student Beans! Both have thousands of companies that offer students discount on their products. From make-up to sportswear to all your technical devices. Might as well sign up if it means you're saving money!
5. Don't be scared of trying smart price food. You can actually find some hidden gems and it saves you so much money.
6. Most supermarkets after 2pm discount a lot of their bakery items that have been freshly baked. So well worth a hunt for a pack of four panini's for 20p.
7. Going away present/christmas present: ask for gifts cards for supermarkets and to your favourite shops. That way you have money to spend in specific places not just on booze!
Lesson necessities
2. PENS! You will go through so many pens, whether it's from loosing them or lending them out.
4. Sticky notes that help to mark pages in books.
5. A big bag for all your notebooks and books!
5. A big bag for all your notebooks and books!
6. Look in advance to see what books you'll need. If you don't get money for books from your uni see if you can get the books off amazon/ebay. It will be so much cheaper buying them second hand.
7. A laptop! Not a necessity but it makes life so much easier.
8. Make sure you have an up to date version of office on your laptop.
9. Same with a printer, it's not a necessity but seriously helps when it's hand-in time! Kodak ones are pretty good and are supposed to save you money.
10. Don't forget paper for your printer!
11. Memory sticks for your work/save to Google drive! Google drive is probably the better option as you can't lose it or forget it and can even access it on your phone.
12. A cover for you laptop to keep it protected when taking it out and about.
The boring but definitely needed items
1. Don't
forget pots/pans/cutlery/glasses. Get them with a distinctive pattern or colour
so everyone knows they're yours. Not expensive though as other people do steal
kitchen ware and accidents do happen.
2. Get a Brita jug to filter tap water (if you have
space for it in your fridge). May sound odd at first but if you're going away the water doesn't taste the same, plus it saves money if you're mainly drinking tap water.
3. An airer to dry your clothes in your room if there isn't a dryer. Plus it leaves your room smelling great!
4. If there is a washer dryer however I'd still recommend an airer as they are rubbish and take forever. Plus they cause unwanted arguments when other people need to wash their clothes too.
5. Pick washing detergent that you like and one you know you can afford whilst you're away!
6. Cleaning equipment! Sponges, cloths, washing up liquid and bleach. You should be provided with a hoover and a mop if there is hard flooring.
7. Don't forget your own towels and pick your favourite colour. (Don't recommend white or red as it tends to run)
8. A wash basket.
9. Stocking up on all toiletries in advance is so
handy especially when you have no money at uni. Don't forget toilet rolls or
stuff for that time of the month ladies as its the most expensive out of your toiletries.
10. Stock up on all medications as you will get ill! Cough syrup/paracetamol/antihistamines,
you name it!
Saviour items for the cold, wet and down days
1. Tissues. As much as you want to be hard we all need to cry sometimes.
2. Tea, coffee and hot
chocolate for obvious reasons.
3. Tinned soup. It's a cheap meal and warms you up!
4. A
goody tin full of your favourite chocolate, sweets and biscuits. It's their for your mosh days but also perfect for movie nights.
5. Your favourite movies.
6. A dressing gown and slippers or fluffy socks and a onesie!
7. If your bills
aren't all inclusive definitely take some extra blankets. They also come in
handy for when friends come to stay.
8. If you have a bath make sure you get some bath
bombs or bubble bath for those cold/emosh evenings. They help you feel human
again!
The homely feel
1. Cushions and blankets really help to make your
room your own and to make it feel homely.
2. Colourful bedding to brighten up your room!
3. A mirror for your room! A lot of student houses
don't have mirrors in the bedrooms.
4. A nice lamp for your desk or bedside table.
Doesn't have to be expensive! Check out the range if you don't have one
already!
5. Hanging decorations and fairy lights. You can
put them round your bed or round your window. I found using drawing pins to
keep them in place was the best but put them into the ceiling so there's
no holes in the walls!
6. Print off your favourite pictures of
friends/family/pets to stick on your wall at uni or grab some posters of your
favourite bands or films!
7. Don't forget
white tac, not blue tac it stains the walls!
8. Candles aren't usually allowed, so incense and
diffusers are great alternatives to keeping your room smelling nice.
9. If you buy bath
bombs put them on display in your room as they look great and they also help your room smell super nice!
10. A door stop.
Those last few bits
1. Make
sure to take your obvious stuff like a hair dryer and straighteners.
2. Don't take all of your clothes as you most likely won't have space for them.
3. Take any fancy dress items you own as you will need them for freshers and halloween!
4. Speakers! Obviously always needed for a great party, but if you don't have some, someone else will.
5. If you have a TV license with the place you're
renting then definitely take a TV for movie nights with friends!
6. Take an extra phone charger especially if you've
got an iPhone!
7. Foldable crates to move everything in with!
I hope this has helped anyone going to university or looking to go in the next few years. Seriously enjoy your time, it's a great experience and you will grow and learn so much.
Love Hannah x
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