If you’re
planning on going to university this September, just know that I pity you this
summer. That sounds drastic, but I do. I know full well 99% of your
conversations the past few months have pinballed from exams to university to
results day to the future and beyond.
It can be
exciting, but also tiring. Yes, I’m sure you know that you need to start
packing soon. And no, you’ll probably never need a Tupperware box for
sandwiches. But yes, you have one because they were near the check outs in
Wilkinson so a relative picked it up.
Having just
finished my first year of uni, pigging it out in student accommodation I’m here
to tell you the ten things that are essential to better your way of lazy living
in halls.
1. A door stop. Several, perhaps.
Who’d have
known a little piece of wood could be so handy? Some rooms lock automatically
when the door closes, so a door stop can save time/money/effort to get you back
in if you nip to the kitchen without your key. Also, they are life savers while
moving in. Not to mention, they’re a great way to show you want to socialise
with flat mates.
You may want
to pick one up for the communal area too; else you’ll probably hear doors going
24/7.
2. A washing up bowl
You won’t
believe how much you take these beauties for granted. Your washing up bowl
holds your washing up, keeps your things from
getting contaminated by the stray dirty plates and means that you will
never be the one to block the sink with pasta. It also means that you’ll never
have to actually touch the dirty sink. Or clean it. Not your responsibility.
3. Antibacterial wipes
I’m telling
you this now, the only time you’ll clean is when A) your parents are visiting.
Or B) it’s a week until you’ll get the deposit back. Behold, antibacterial
wipes. Wipe down dusty surfaces, wipe your mirror, wipe your toilet, wipe the
floor, wipe the windows, wipe anywhere and smell the hygiene.
4. Coat hangers
An obvious
one, but they will break easily, be ‘borrowed’ and do that vanishing act that
they like to do. You’ll probably bite into your student loan for some new
threads too. So, take spare coat hangers and save yourself hours ironing after
some bad folds.
Trouser
hangers actually make good selfie sticks, too.
5. Different sized cooking trays
The rumours
of ‘just buy a wok, they do everything!’ are false. Merely whispers in the
wind. It may not seem it, but you DO need different sized cooking trays. A jar
of pasta sauce will not fill the massive tray you put your potatoes on.
6. A HDMI cable
In my halls
we had a TV, we moved this TV into the lounge area, and we used a HDMI cable to
attach to our laptops. We had a Netflix cinema.
7. A readymade folder/note book
Spend a few
hours putting your P60, P45, bank details, NHS card (yes, they’re a thing), a
few CVs, your GCSE/A Level result certificates, national insurance number,
passport, references, student finance papers, accommodation agreements,
receipts for electrical goods, instruction manuals, ANY BITS OF PAPER THAT YOU
WILL NEED AT TTHE MOST INCONVIENENT TIME together.
Invest in a
folder and put them all into sections, also write down the important bits in a
notebook.
8. Printed photos
Make your
room look like your room, you’re paying for it so it may as well look nice.
Take ornaments and decorations, stick up photos and cover your pin board. Not
only will it give you something to do to settle in, but it’s a great
conversation starter with flatmates.
Download
FreePrints and you’ll get an allowance every month, only paying delivery – so
you can collect your uni memories!
9. An extension lead
What if
there are no plug sockets near your bed so you can’t charge your phone? What if
your hair straighteners can’t reach the mirror? What if you can’t sacrifice
turning off the lamp to watch TV?
10. A clothes airer
Valentine’s
Day this year, I spent it trying to hide the fact that I nearly burned down the
building by putting my cosy pjs on the radiator to dry quickly. No. This is not
safe. With the price of washing machines and dryers so costly in student halls,
a simple airer will save you a lot. Just have patience.
Extra useful
items
- An alarm clock
- A small room bin
- Desk lamp
- Boxes for storage
- A hot water bottle
- Plasters, hey,
maybe a mini first aid kit
- An extra duvet/air
bed for visitors
- A bath mat
- A secret stash of
sweet treats
- A blanket
