When moving to a new place like campus, it might not occur to you that you need some things until you get there! This checklist should hopefully help you bring up some things you might not have thought of.
Toaster/Air Fryer – While self-catered kitchens come with a kettle, microwave, and oven, they don’t come with a toaster or air fryer. So, if you love your toast or air-fried chips, it might be worth bringing one! However, it’s a good idea to wait until you actually move in and are able to coordinate with your housemates on what to buy. Otherwise, you can end up with four unnecessary toasters!
Formal Clothes – You might think there’s no reason to bring formal clothes to uni, but you never know. Whether it’s an interview or a social party where the theme is formal wear, it’s very likely there might be something that requires dressing up.
Sewing Kit – You never know when it might come in handy, but having a needle and thread can help you fix clothes. I’ve also used thread to hang up decorations in my room!
Can Opener – Only one of my housemates has one, and we’re always stealing it! If you like eating things in cans like beans, tuna or sweetcorn, it’s a must-bring.
Scissors – You might think this is obvious, but it’s one of those things that’s always around the house, so you don’t always think about it when moving somewhere new. They always come in useful.
First-Aid Kit – It’s worth having the essentials, such as bandages, plasters and wipes, in case you or someone near you gets sick or injured. Also, the chances that you’ll get a cold from the famous Fresher’s Flu during uni are extremely high. I have some paracetamol, Strepsils, and honey and ginger tea in my medicine kit to help fight it!
Ear Plugs – If you’re a light sleeper, these could be helpful. Although the University of Kent campus isn’t extremely rowdy at night, it’s a new environment with new sounds, which can be overwhelming and make it difficult to sleep. They can also be helpful for studying! I’d recommend buying a pair of Loop earplugs. I have the cheapest ones that help dull background noise, and I find them helpful in really loud cinemas or clubs too.
Mattress Topper – Adjusting to a new bed can be difficult for some people, and if you like an especially soft bed, a mattress topper could be helpful.
Non-Stick Room Decorations – You aren’t allowed to stick things onto the walls on campus, so it can be a good idea to think of some alternatives. There are some great hooks for pictures or fairy lights that stick to the wall but don’t peel the paint, so it might be worth investing in them.
Top tip!
See if you can get in contact with your housemates. Sometimes you can do this through the University of Kent WhatsApp group that you get added to before you move in. It can be a good idea to coordinate with your housemates on what to bring, to prevent all of you bringing the same things!