Many students will be receiving college offers in the coming weeks. For some this means moving away from home and into campus accommodation.
For those lucky enough to have secured your place in college or private accommodation, we have put together a checklist of basic essentials you will need to get started in your new abode.
Read on for our ultimate student accommodation essentials checklist to help you prepare for the big move. Or you can download your student accommodation essentials checklist here.
The Ultimate Student Accommodation Essentials Checklist
Kitchen Utensils
- Chopping Board
- Sharp knife & vegetable peeler
- Saucepans/Frying pan/wok
- Ovenproof dish/baking tray
- Cutlery
- Plates/bowls/cups/glasses
- Tin & bottle openers
- Spatula/cooking serving spoon/Fish slice
- Strainer/colander
- Scissors
Although not essential, it can also be nice to have toaster bags to rustle up a toasted sandwich easily, pizza mesh/tray for the oven & a pizza cutter.
Kitchen Essentials
- Salt & Pepper
- Cooking oil
- Herbs/spices
- Condiments (ketchup, soy sauce, honey, stock cubes etc.)
- Kitchen roll (better than cleaning cloths which tend to get smelly)
- Tea towels (3)
- Washing up liquid
- Washing up brush
- Kitchen cleaner
- Tinned food
- Dried food (pasta, noodles, rice etc.)
- Aluminium foil
- Microwaveable storage containers for leftovers
- Bin bags
Check out our handy list of store cupboard ingredients.
Bedroom/Living Space Essentials
- Duvet (check what size the bed in your room will be in advance)
- Pillows
- Bed linen
- Reading lamp (may be provided)
- Wastepaper bin + liners (may be provided)
- Small drying rack
- Laundry bag/basket
- Extension plug/socket
- Tissues
- Pin board (may be provided)
- Storage containers/baskets
Anything that will help you settle in things like photos of the family and family pet, fairy lights, scented candle, cushions etc.
Bathroom Essentials
- Toilet roll
- Toilet brush (may be provided)
- Bin liners
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Soap
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Shower gel
- Towels
- Bleach/toilet/bathroom cleaner
- Bath mat
- Period products (tampons/pads)
Other Student Life Essentials
- Reusable shopping bag
- Water bottle
- Chargers
- Laptop + case for carrying
- Travel card/pass
- Any medication and a small first aid kit with plasters, paracetamol, ibuprofen, cough syrup, antiseptics wipes etc.
While it is an exciting time for students and their parents, it can also be a daunting time too. Setting them up with the basic essentials will help them settle in quickly.
I would recommend doing a grocery shop with them before they start so they have some store-cupboard ingredients for some basic meals. Remind them to store leftovers in the fridge or freezer for a quick meal on nights when they don’t have time to prepare one from scratch. And to sign up for any loyalty cards for local shops too!
I always add a packet of multi-vitamins into my teens bag before she heads off for the new term.
One final tip is not to go overboard on the shopping, as they won’t have space to store lots of extras!
About the Author: Michelle
