Ideas for a student survival box!

gettingtheresometime

Andypandyboy wrote: »

Why? Better to be realistic and practical than head in sand "ooh, vicar, they won't be doing THAT sort of thing":rotfl:

Didn't suggest a head in the sand approach but at the same time I'm sure that there are students out there who are sensible enough to organise that sort of thing for themselves .

As I said if the student was in a relationship already then I'm not too sure what message a box of condoms would send

Mrs_Ryan

Can I second loo roll. When I first moved into halls there was loo roll wars and tell them to lock it away- my M&S loo paper was kept under lock and key!!
Diary and a sturdy bag if they don't have them already. As a nursing student mine were invaluable.
Sounds strange but Tupperware type boxes- lifesaver. Can be used for virtually anything and trust me as nursing students they inevitably were :rotfl:
Razors- whether male or female. Both times I moved away from home to go to uni I forgot these and ended up looking like a yeti until I managed to go get some
A small sewing kit including scissors and safety pins- inevitably things will break and these things can be useful- again something I found myself having to buy.
I would say Domino's gift vouchers. In the first few days of uni we were all so overwhelmed with it all no-one wanted to cook. Pizza is a great sharing food and a bit of a luxury too.
And this will sound really strange but.. Bin bags. Not only useful for putting rubbish in as I discovered on the first day of placement when we all had a booze up in the kitchen of our halls flat. Everyone then decided it would be a good idea to jump in the bath fully clothed but first they covered the floor in bin bags for ease of mopping up :rotfl: (I have to add I didn't as I had come in late and was still in my best gear I just stood at the door and kept watch)
A padlock and keys. Surprisingly useful for many things in halls!

happyandcontented

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Didn't suggest a head in the sand approach but at the same time I'm sure that there are students out there who are sensible enough to organise that sort of thing for themselves .

As I said if the student was in a relationship already then I'm not too sure what message a box of condoms would send

I have no concerns about common sense, but I would rather they be prepared than caught out. No relationship currently to be factored in.

FreddieFrugal

Student cook book? Or a few family recipes typed up

I think when I went I had: stationary - hole punch, stapler, folders, wallets, notepads, pens, pencils, ruler, rubbers,

Screwdriver set, Swiss Army knife

Laptop, charger, USB pen, mouse, printer, paper, ink

Torch, battery powered lamp

Kitchen stuff - can opener, plates, bowls, cups, glasses, cutlery, decent chopping knife, washing up liquid, gloves, sponge scourers, brush, wooden spoon set, food containers/Tupperware

Clothes washing tablets, bin liners

Toilet roll, always keep spare in room. Students will use whatever is there and won't replace. In first year we'd said we'd take turns buying it, but because I was the only organised/responsible one I just bought it because couldn't rely on the others to replace things. Eventually I just got my own, kept in room and took it with me when I went. Much cheaper.

A good reusable bag or two so no need to buy carrier bags from Aldi/Lidl

I second padlock as well. Once a pot head (he did smoke a lot of drugs to be fair, I'm not just being rude) from North Carolina used all my pans and utensils without asking and then left them filthy for me to find when I went in kitchen intending to cook.

Another time over Easter, everyone went home except one of my flat mates. the one least able to look after himself...when I came back, the few items of food like dried pasta that I'd left ready for meal when I returned had all been eaten. Every single pan and plate that we'd left had been used and left lying around or piled in the sink, the whole kitchen looked like a bomb site and stank of mold.

Never made that mistake again, everything locked in room when I went away at end of semester.

Oh 'twas a magical time!

deva

Marker pen for labelling stuff in fridge!?

Cup a soups

Playing cards

Student rail card

Cheese & bacon!

Indie_Kid

I second loo roll. I managed to forget to bring some with me.

Cling film / tin foil

When_the_going_gets_tough

I bought all mine a £5tool kit from idea they all used it and still have it some years later. They were always the only ones with screwdriver etc when needed. Made them feel capable when something needed sorting.

Nikkisun

Sudafed - everyone comes down with a dose of 'freshers flu'

Indie_Kid

deva wrote: »

Marker pen for labelling stuff in fridge!?

Sticky labels too

Someone mentioned a torch - when I moved out of my parents house, I was bought the type of torches / nightlights which are permanently plugged into sockets. These are much better than the battery powered ones. At least I know where they are!

laura_hoggle

Definitely cold & flu stuff, as somebody mentioned freshens flu will inevitably strike-include things like Beechams powders, throat lozenges, balm tissues, vitamins. How about a nice fleecy blanket as well-can get those quite cheaply from Primark & places.

When I went to uni, my work colleagues spent a fair amount of my leaving collection on booze to take with me... That was a good way to break the ice with my new flat mates!

The mid term gift card for a local supermarket from my mum came greatly appreciated too!