So the obligatory trip to Ikea marked essentially the start of my physical preparations for uni (the trip was fun -the game ‘Every time you spot a fresher yell ‘Durham’’ was popular among the fam) and given it took me ages to find a complete guide of what to pack, I thought I should try make it a little easier for everyone else.
St Mary’s is a catered college so this will suit people in a similar situation and hence the Kitchen section is a bit sparse. My room is not ensuite and there are cleaners which come and clean my room (WOOO) so this list also lacks cleaning stuff in general.
*** Disclaimer: this is going to be a crazy long post but read it for the Watch ***
And thus presents:
Lizzy’s Fantastic Freshers’ Furnishing File
I am also a sucker for really really shitty alliteration sorry!
Documents
Passport, Photocopy of passport (electronic and paper) and spare passport photos (really useful for discount cards you might apply for)
Provisional/ Driver’s Licence
Medical Documents (proof of immunizations/ prescriptions ect.) + NHS Number + EHIC
Chequebook- lots of societies get you to pay joining fees by cheque
Tuition fees/ Student finance letter
Bank details
National insurance number
CV (electronic and hard copy) + references
Exam results (Optional- I like having all documents with me regardless of whether I will need them or not)
A file to keep all these important documents in
School stuff
Notepads/ lined file paper
Plain paper (possibly in different sizes depending on how you revise)
Trash can (one that can double up as a chunder bucket)
Mirror
Hot water bottle
Storage boxes
Torch
Books
Big bag to carry laundry in (i.e those big blue Ikea bags)
Kitchen
Cookbook/ book of microwave meals
Knife, fork, normal spoon, tea spoon and maybe a dessert/ larger spoon
1 large plate, 1 small plate, 1 bowl
1 sharp knife
2 chopping boards
2 mugs (I can’t choose between my two fave mugs so they are both coming along)
1 regular glass, 4 shot glasses
Microwave safe tupperware (buy lots in different sizes)
Microwave safe dish (only if you don’t have microwave safe tupperware)
Large kitchen scissors
Tea towel & hand towel
Washing up liquid+ sponge + scourer
Sandwich bags
Sandwich bag clips
A plastic water bottle
Bottle opener + corkscrew
Food! (I am only bringing things like cereal, busicuits and sugar given my college is catered but I will update on the food situation once I get there :) )
Drink (Alcohol. I will probably bring a bottle of vod and buy more up there because it is cheaper. Might be an idea to buy something to mix it with but who knows! Oh also tea, coffee, hot chocolate, ovaltine, and oj )
Bathroom
2 normal towels, I swim towel, 1 flannel
Flip flops (bazooka that verruca)
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash (you will want this, trust)
Face wash (if you have skin which looks like you have been working in a chippie all day like moi)
Lip balm ( wink wink, but also cos it is cold up in the North)
Hand cream (again it cold)
E 45 cream and bio oil (Look after your skin it covers all your insides)
Shampoo, Conditioner and Shower gel
Shaving cream and razor/ hair removal cream/ whatever similar item
Hairbrush, hair bands, hair slides/ clips and a hairdryer
Some form of contraception (you will get chlamydia and die otherwise)
Makeup + makeup remover
Nail kit + varnish
Deodorant (pls compsci people don’t fulfill the stereotype please)
Suncream??? lol as if in England
Tissues + Emergency Toilet paper
First aid kit (yep you need one now you big fancy adult)
Ibuprofen/ paracetamol/ aspirin/ some form of painkiller
Plasters/ bandages and cotton pads
Throat lozenges + nasal spray (for freshers flu)
Antiseptic cream
Tweezers
Dioralyte (this is a re-hydration sachet and if drunk when you get back after a heavy night out, your hangover will disappear like magic)
Electricals
Laptop + charger+ bag (or PC )
USB Stick and Hard drive
Phone + charger
Earphones
Camera + charger
I pod + charger
Portable charger
Raspberry pi + keyboard + Mouse + monitior (if I can find a cheap monitor)
Xbox 360? (depends on the monitor)
Alarm clock
Misc.
Sheet music
Handbag
Purse
Keys
Cake (to make friends)
Knitting
Boot polish
Deck of cards + 1 or 2 board games
Sunglasses
Jewelry
Clothes
Jeans, shorts, skirts
T-shirts, Long tops, blouses, vest tops
Thermals
Hoodies, thick flannel, Thick jumpers, cardigans
Underwear + socks
Dresses (formal & clubbing/going out)
Prom dress
Hat + scarf + gloves
Raincoat, thick winter coat, lighter coat for going out
