University checklist: what to bring to university and what to leave at home

Key steps

• Pack according to your accommodation, so that you don't pack things you won't need.

• Be sure to create a uni checklist so you only take the essentials.

• Don't forget to pick up essentials like Cif and Persil for your cleaning and washing as part of your weekly shop, because you won't have your parents around to clean and wash for you. 

Moving to university is often the first time that you will leave home, and when you ask yourself the question, “what do I need for university?” it’s easy to think you need to pack up everything from your room and move it with you. There are some things that you need to take and some that you should leave behind. Here are some great tips to create a uni checklist get you started.

Prove that although you are moving out for the first time, you know what you’re doing by putting essentials such as good cleaning products like Cif and laundry products like Persil on your shopping list for when you do your first shop at University.

Two pointers to get your uni checklist started

There are two important things you need to think about when you are preparing to move to university.

1. What accommodation are you moving to? Some places you may need to pack up items such as cutlery, crockery and even furniture. Others will come with these included.

2. Will items be shared with others? The last thing you want to do is spend a fortune on beautiful, expensive items that may be used, broken or lost by other people.

What to take to university

When it comes to understanding what to bring to university, it is always a good idea to create a checklist. Here are a few key ideas to get your university checklist started:

• Important documents. This part of your university checklist should include items such as your passport and university documents.

• Healthcare. Whether it’s a basic first aid kit to keep in your room or essential medications you need to live, don’t forget to add basic medical supplies to your uni checklist. You can pick most things up from the local pharmacy once you arrive, but remember that you will need to register with a local GP before you can get any new prescriptions if you leave your meds at home.

• Electronics. From your laptop to your phone charger, there are plenty of items that you need to remember to take with you that will help you to keep in touch with people back home and also complete work for your course.

• Clothes. Think about how often you will be able to wash and dry and calculate how much you will therefore need to take.

• Items by room. Go through each room from your bedroom, to the bathroom, to the kitchen and work out what items you will need for each one and create a checklist for each.

What you should leave behind when you are moving out for the first time

You will find that not everything you have at home is essential when you’re moving to university so here are a few examples of items to leave behind:

• Expensive or designer items. No matter how careful you are things can get broken, lost or stolen; so don’t take anything that has monetary or sentimental value.

• Pens and pencils. When you attend the fresher’s fair there will be plenty of items like these to pick up.

• An iron. Let’s be honest, it’s wishful thinking to believe you’re going to use it!

• All your course books. Waiting until you know which ones you will definitely need that you can’t borrow or buy more cheaply second hand is a much better idea.

Creating a university checklist of things to take to university with you will set you up for success as you start out on your first big life adventure, and you now have some great tips to get you started. Now, check out our Student Hub for more tips and hacks for student life.