University 'must-haves' that you just don't need

(Image courtesy of Unsplash)

4th October 2021

By Elle Summers

The panic of what to bring to university is a cycle that occurs generation after generation. First time university students are sure to head to IKEA over the summer holidays and panic buy everything, overstressing at the few items they unfortunately won’t be able to fit in the car, and choosing to bring things they you deem extremely important instead of allowing their sibling to accompany them on move-in day!

Well, I am here to tell you to hold up a second for there a few things I can guarantee you will not need to bring with you.

Let’s start with all that baking equipment. You are going to be way too busy to turn into Mary Berry overnight! If you did not bake at home, I am highly confident you will not start now. Put down the rolling pin and cake tins, they will only clutter your already tight kitchen cupboards.

You definitely do not need to take every single item of clothing that you own! Remember its September in sunny England, you can hang up the summer garments! And unless you’re serious about getting a job, leave the business wear at home; it’ll only take up space and gather dust!

Instead, it’s easier to rotate your wardrobe, changing items up when you go home after each term. Apart from fancy dress! You will need every costume you have, for social secs absolutely love a themed night!

When walking round IKEA, novelty items can seem like such a great idea. For me it was a contraption to hang my washing on in the shape of an octopus. Let’s not kid ourselves. It was used maybe once as there was nowhere to hang it!

Just stick with a normal airer. But seriously do invest in one of these, or you’ll watch your student loan go down the drain thanks to Circuit Laundry!

Don’t waste your time or money on fancy cutlery, it will ultimately get stolen by a flatmate or broken at a party. Just stick to standard and cheap, as you’ll probably have to end up replacing some of it after first year is over anyway.

On another kitchen note, calm it with the number of mugs you bring. You will not want to do that much washing up – just use one for the day!

A-Level notes were really helpful… when you’re studying A-Levels! You will make new notes in your lectures and those seven psychology exercise books and textbooks you thought would ‘come in handy’ will clutter your space and never come out of the cupboard until you head home for summer!

Finally, I know you’re coming to university to study, but put the pens down! You’ll end up making a lot of notes electronically, so no you do not need a hole-punch both mini and normal sized! And one pack of highlighters will suffice, I promise you.

Take this advice from a third year, who is still packing her rolling pin she bought, despite it never being taken out of the packaging, leave these items at home! You do not need to bring every single thing you own! And you’re not travelling to the end of the Earth – there’s a Wilko in town, you can always top up on any items you need.