The university year is just about to start and freshers all over the land are getting their kit ready for the exciting (and slightly nerve-wracking) times ahead. This is even the more so if allergies are involved; will you have what you need to make sure you settle in and thrive in the first few weeks? What if you forget some essential. What can you do to make sure campus life feels a little like home? But fear not here is my essential kit list for starting university (and the same could be said for moving to a new home, starting at boarding school or just feeling prepared for extra independence).
- medication – obviously the most important thing to pack and make sure it’s all up to date and you have copies of prescriptions or up to date prescriptions on your NHS app. Also pack pain killers like paracetamol and ibuprofen, you will most likely get ‘Freshers flu’ so come prepared!
- Passport and other form of ID – you’ll need this for registration and if you want to be going out to pubs, bars or clubs
- kitchen kit – you likely to need to be self catering, and probably want to if you have food allergies, we’ve found the following really useful:
- crockery and cutlery that isn’t just the same plain student kit as everyone else has. If you get the standard student kit your stuff will get confused with your flat mates, and it may make you feel more comfortable if your fellow students are not using your plates and knives and forks.
- Tupperware – it’s really useful to have your food in sealed Tupperware boxes, especially in the communal fridge. You don’t know what shelf you’ll get and if you can avoid other people’s food contaminating yours, you will be very grateful. Big S had milk dripping on her veg which wasn’t much fun and meant she had to throw away perfectly good food.
- Air fryer – this is one we only thought about more recently when we realised that lots of people take AirFryers to Uni. Not only does it make it far quicker to cook food but you also have this little safe oven that only you will use. Once you’ve seen the state of student ovens and how little care some people take when cooking food, you may feel more comfortable using your own safe mini oven.
- Rubber gloves – these are essential for cleaning when other people may have been using your allergens
- lunch box/thermos – depending on your allergies you may find it tricky to buy lunch on the run, so a good lunch box will be really useful
- safe snacks and treats – a tuck box of safe and yummy snacks and traets will help you get through long days working and playing hard
- a favourite cookbook – i’d obviously recommend The Friendly Baker for all your sweet treat and easy recipe needs 🙂
- a couple of gift cards for safe eating out options – lots of students go crazy with takeaways and you may find it hard to join in. So having a gift card for your safe option will give you a nice little treat to look forward to.
- bedding – along with the usual sheets, duvets and pillows, if you have space, a mattress topper is a great way to make your bed feel much more comfortable.
- home comforts – your favourite pillow, cuddly toy, blanket or decorations. Anything to make your room feel more like home.
- clothing – remember a coat, some nice going out clothes and maybe something for Halloween and the inevitable dress up parties.
- extension lead – this is worth taking as the plugs might not be in the most useful places
- toiletries – the less you need to buy when you are at Uni, the better for your budgeting!
- interest and hobbies – those things you like to do to chill out
Don’t be afraid to be outspoken about your allergies or other requirements. It’s better to say please don’t use nuts in the kitchen, rather than feeling uncomfortable or even facing an emergency. Also, make sure your flatmates and friends know what to do if you need help, whether that’s calling a parent or a Doctor. Also register with the University GP, or a local one so that you can get any care you might need.
Do you have any tips or kit that is helpful to the fresher? Let me know and i’ll add it to the list!
