A slow cooker. This is what one of my housemates (who incidentally has never cooked a meal from scratch in his life) bought because he thought he would need it for university.
This is one of the many ridiculous things that I’ve heard acquaintances and friends of mine have brought to university because they thought they’d need it. For me it was a cushion and ornaments for my room – I’d read they make your room more homely. Tip: if you’re homesick, that cushion that you bought specifically for uni probably isn’t going to help you much.
Decisions, decisions
When I got my A Level results and was accepted into my chosen university, the panic commenced. What do I need to buy? As the oldest sibling in my family with parents who hadn’t been to university, I was clueless as to what I would and wouldn’t need. Obviously a scour of Google followed this, with searches such as “what I’ll need at university”. As a bit of a worrier and perfectionist, I found a number of sites and cross referenced until I had made a humongous list of everything I could possibly need.
About to embark upon third year, I have now realised that these are the main essentials:
1. A laptop. It sounds obvious, but a friend of mine decided that the library computers would suffice. Not only does this become a problem as the library gets very crowded, but it’s discomforting to think that someone could always be looking over your shoulder as you do a quick Facebook stalk or scroll through Tumblr.
2. Cutlery, glasses and tea towels. These are vital. Although everybody tends to go over the top with kitchen appliances, these three things are necessary, especially when living in halls. As far as I’m aware, no one gets through first year with an entire set of cutlery (there’s always that one person who doesn’t bring any, and around whom yours goes “missing”), so it’s a good idea to get a lot of it. Obviously plates, bowls and oven trays are pretty useful too.
3. Stationery: pens, pencils, a hole puncher, folders. Any attempt to ignore the need for these (sigh) merely results in a need to buy them out of your alcohol fund – AKA student loan – during your first term, instead of having your loving parents buy them for you.
These are the essentials: good luck!
Can you think of any other essentials students will need to take to university? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo: Joe Shlabotnik / Flickr
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