Your first week at uni comes with a long mental list of things to sort out. To make things a bit easier, here’s a physical list, that can give you an idea of what you should actually be getting as you start uni, and what can wait.
The Food Shop
Your first proper food shop sets you up for the week. Don’t overthink it – you’re not stocking a restaurant, you’re buying things you can actually cook quickly when you’re tired and don’t know where anything is yet!
Cupboard staples are going to be your best friend, they’re cheap and last a very long time if stored correctly. Think pasta, rice, lentils, coffee, tea, oil, tinned tomatoes, tuna & beans.
Spices and sauces to elevate what you’re making when fresh ingredients aren’t around. Grab some stock cubes, crispy chilli oil, salt, pepper, honey & herbs.
Fridge items are likely going to change every week – just make sure you check the use by date before you buy! Fruit & veg, dairy, meat & other proteins will be kept here.
Freezer items too, keep it stocked up for when you can’t make it to the shops. Ready meals, frozen veg, chips, you can even freeze things like bread to make them last longer. When you move in, check how much space you have in your fridge/freezer – you don’t want to be taking up each others’ space in a shared kitchen!
Snacks and sweet treats will keep you going! Most of them are shelf stable so can be kept in a cupboard, or even your bed side drawer if you don’t want to risk them being “shared” with flatmates!
Word to the wise, do your big shop at a big shop! Sounds self explanatory but avoid convenience or “local” shops if you’re getting a lot of items – they’ll be more expensive and have less variety. Search for a Lidl or a big Tesco, and don’t overbuy, you could be going out more than you’d think.
Kitchen Kit
Check what your accommodation gives you first, you might be lucky and fully stocked, but you’ll likely need these too, and will be worth bringing before you get to uni.
Cleanliness is key, so don’t get caught without washing up liquid, a sponge, bin bags, kitchen roll, bleach & cleaning spray.
For when it’s time to get chef-y, you’ll need a good sharp knife (far better than a group of dull ones), a chopping board, tin opener, pots & pans, colander, grater, a mug, plates and bowls & glassware.
Cooking in batches is cost efficient and means you can have days where you only have to reheat, rather than cook, so invest in some high quality tupperware.
Stationery & Study
Thankfully, uni won’t require as much stationery as school did. But some basics are definitely worth having before your first week, and then you can figure out the rest once you know your schedule and what’s actually required.
Make sure your laptop is in good condition, this will be by far your most essential bit of kit. If you feel like you need an upgrade, or don’t have one at all, we’d recommend you go on UNiDAYS or similar to get some student discounts on tech brands. Some unis do hire out laptops, and you can use library ones with your student login, just check with your university beforehand.
A pair of decent headphones – ideally noise cancelling – is one of the better investments you can make for life in shared accommodation. Useful for studying, sleeping on trains, and blocking out a noisy kitchen. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but check the reviews if it seems like too good of a deal to be true!
A notebook or two, some flash cards, sticky notes, a few good pens, highlighters and a folder/binder will be likely all you need – a lot of stuff will be fully digital anyway.
Bathroom
High street shops like Savers & Bodycare will help you out here, and be cheaper than buying things online (unless you need something specialised).
Shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste, towels, shaving kit, deodorant, moisturiser, face wash, toilet paper, sanitary products, shower gel and any medication you take regularly should cover everything.
If you’ve opted for a shared bathroom then a shower caddy or a small basket means you can carry your things in and out without taking up communal space.
Not needed from a week one shop, but maybe get some paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters & antihistamines for if you’re under the weather.
For Your Room
No university shop would be complete without some creature comforts to make it your own space.
This is really just whatever you’d like in your bedroom, but a decent lamp, some photo frames, a plant, an extension cable & maybe some LED strips can be functional and add a personal touch.
Double check the size of the bed you’ll be getting in your room, then treat yourself to a nice set of bedding, maybe an extra pillow & a comforter/blanket for when it gets chillier.
P.s., command strips will be very useful for hanging things up without damaging walls, you should avoid pins, nails etc just to be certain.
What Can Wait
We know we’ve listed a lot of things here, but not everything needs to be bought instantly, or before you arrive! Things like a desk organiser & extra storage are worth waiting on until you understand your routine – you might need less than you first thought.
Just stick to the essentials, the rest will come over time. It’s useful to check around where you’re staying to see where the shops are. Just go to the “location” section of your Mezzino property and you’ll be able to see everything laid out for you!
