what do you need to take to student digs??

cherub1965

eira wrote: »

And on that note

---

bowl/plate/mug that's distinctively his. Remember from my university days-and from those of my daughters-the endless hassles of unwashed crockery and pans. Doesn't matter what the pattern etc is, just something that is recognisably his.Another useful item is a cover for the bed-anything that can be thrown over when you have friends round so your actual bed clothes stay relatively clean

And make sure that anything you get is cheap

some great ideas,thanks.there are just some things you wouldnt think of getting.will start a list,lol:think:

leopard85

When I started uni I spent the summer picking up little bits and pieces as I saw them, like distinguishable plates and cups (I am a girl though so my idea of household essentials is probably considerably different to most guys!!). Regarding pans, toasters, kitchen knifes etc. it is much easier to get these on the day he moves in - local supermarkets near student areas know they will be full of students and parents the week before uni and will be suitable stocked up with basic kitchen appliances which are ideal for shared houses/halls.

The most important thing you can take on moving day is cleaning products! That way you can quickly wipe over the desk/headboard etc. as he unpacks. An inexpensive mattress protector/cover can also be useful to take with you just in case the (used) mattress looks a bit nasty. If the mattress looks in good condition you can always just take it back to the shop.

SUPERMCNATURAL

good call on the mattress protector, when you think of what could have gone on, on that ewwww. i revise my first statement of cleaning products and would def recommend that, cant imgaine the uni clean them aaaahhhhhhh its giving me the heeby geebies :eek:

busiscoming2

An extension lead with multi sockets, make sure it has a long cable. We found that sometimes the sockets weren't where we needed them once we had rearranged th furniture in the room to suit the kids.

Tim_Deegan

leopard85 wrote: »

An inexpensive mattress protector/cover can also be useful to take with you just in case the (used) mattress looks a bit nasty. If the mattress looks in good condition you can always just take it back to the shop.

I think a mattress protector is essential (even if the mattress is new). It's far cheaper to wash a mattress protector than it is to replace a mattress after spilled drinks etc.

Owain_Moneysaver

cherub1965 wrote: »

he is going to liverpool,we live in liverpool.he has chronic fatigue .... .do you have to leave what they provide or can you replace it and leave the replacement?he has memory foam matress and really needs one there.

Most places will not allow you to remove or replace furniture. I would suggest contacting the accommodation office or the hall warden to see if special arrangements can be made for a memory foam mattress. There may also be other adaptations that can be supplied, eg phone or network point if the rooms don't usually have them. Some places allow students with a disability to have single occupancy of a larger/double room at no extra cost.

Owain_Moneysaver

ciderwithrosie wrote: »

I'd like to think I pretty much thought of everything, I even got a tub of 'Celebrations' for him to break the ice with his new flatmates.

A tray of Stella would also have been appreciated :rotfl:

ciderwithrosie_2

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

A tray of Stella would also have been appreciated :rotfl:

Oh he had a case of cider, seeing as we're from Somerset - see I really did try to think of everything!!

Re the mattress protector - a brand new one was in his room when he arrived, so you may not need to buy one.

Also no extension leads allowed due to fire risk from overloading. Toasters and kettles were supplied in the kitchens and not to be used in their rooms anyway.

minerva_windsong

Not read the whole thread, but here's my two penneth:

When I went to uni (lived in halls in first year) I got a wardrobe with cupboards above it, a chest of drawers, a sink in my room, a mirror, a bed, a desk, a desk chair, a noticeboard and some shelves. Both my second and third year bedrooms (in rented houses) were furnished with a wardrobe, a bookcase or shelves, a noticeboard, a desk and a chair. Check with the uni/letting agency to see what they provide.

In terms of what I took, I had a small plastic drawer stack with four drawers as you don't get much space in the wardrobes, a small table for next to my bed (depending on the room layout you may not need this if the desk is next to the bed), bedding (duvet, pillows, sheet, mattress protector if not provided, pillowcases and duvet cover), a rug to brighten up the room, a laundry bag, cutlery and crockery (mugs, plates, bowls), kitchen equipment such as pans and knives, and a clothes airer (vital if the uni doesn't provide tumble dryers). There will quite often be a poster sale on campus in the early weeks (and indeed throughout term) with every band, film, TV show, cartoon character etc you could want if he wants something to put on the walls, although I also knew people who had photos, postcards, events tickets etc.

Find out if a kettle/toaster is provided - we ended up with four kettles and three toasters in our kitchen at uni because various people brought one. Best not to get that until you arrive and then do a supermarket run if need be. (Although it did come in useful when I arrived to find our kitchen was a building site and wanted a brew and some toast, despite being told no kettles/toasters in rooms!) Ditto an iron - ours were provided in the laundry room along with ironing boards, and frankly I did so little ironing it wasn't worth taking my own.

Having tea, coffee and biscuits on hand when you arrive can help as an ice breaker. And don't close your door when you're unpacking, that way if people go past you can say hello and maybe introduce yourself.

Keep crockery and cutlery in your own room if you ever want to see it again.

If he hasn't got an ensuite I would get a plastic basket (I think Wilkos sell them) for easy transport of wash stuff to the shower, and some cheap flip flops for the shower.

I would personally buy food when you get there - chances are there'll be a reasonable selection of big supermarkets within driving distance so the descending students will be split up, and it gives you more space in the car.

Don't bother taking the telly as it's too expensive to pay for a licence. Chances are there'll be a communal TV in the common room, and if not he can watch stuff on catch-up websites after it's broadcast (you don't need a TV licence to do this but you do if it's being broadcast live and you're watching online). A laptop is probably more important as he can use it to do work rather than waiting around for campus computers. I'd recommend a cheap printer as well, again to eliminate queuing for the ones in the library on deadline day.

With regards to taking the mattress, if he needs it I'd take it and ask if the uni can put it in storage (or stick it under his bed).

And finally, buy cheap. All my stuff came from Ikea, Asda and Wilkos, and lasted the whole three years.

7891368

minerva_windsong wrote: »

Keep crockery and cutlery in your own room if you ever want to see it again.

We all brought our own, then shared, depends how well you get on I guess. If I decided to keep all my own stuff in my room people would think you were weird? A lot of large shared kitchens have locks on cupboards anyway.

I had to buy a shower curtain when I got there but apart from that nothing I can think of.

I took clothes, some dried food, toiletries and cleaning products, textbooks I had bought beforehand, bedding (inc mattress protector and pillows (cases and protectors too), duvet, duvet cover and sheets.

But most importantly

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.901-2840.aspx
http://direct.tesco.com/product/images/?R=206-9295

The kitchen knives are surprisingly good better than any cheap ones others had bought from wilkos etc, and the cutlery is fine. The pans aren't amazing (cue the ting when you flick them on the bottom) but perfectly useable.

It's far cheaper than buying everything seperately, few things like glasses I gained from my Mum and grandma.

I also recommend a cheese grater, a decent one

I took some vodka and a case of wine and one of cider as well but that's just me

Oh and finally my laptop and a printer (which I didn't really need to take in all honesty)