21 Handy Things To Ace Uni Life In Your First Year

Because there's always something you've forgotten to pack...

1.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

An extension lead: because nobody wants to have to swap their plugs around every time they want to switch from phone charger to hairdryer to laptop

2.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

A kettle and mini fridge: always handy to have a way to make a cup of tea or coffee without leaving your room, particularly if you’ve got guests or don’t want to risk bumping into an unsuspecting flatmate pre-caffeine!

3.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

A lamp – handy for studying and also nice to use to give your room a cosy glow in the evenings. If you put it by your bed, you’ve also got the added bonus of not having to get up to turn the light off!

4.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

A first aid kit – as much as you might try not to, you’re probably going to graze a knee or nick yourself with your craft knife at some point during the year…

5.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Stain remover – handy for hiding spillages and keeping your deposit, and also for saving your belongings from the inevitable food/art supply/drink stains you’ll accrue over the year!

6.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Shopping trolley/backpack: You might think you’re too cool for one of those granny-style shopping bags, but they’re really handy when carrying your shopping home and mean you don’t have to fork out for a taxi because you can’t lift everything

7.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

A corkboard for photos and reminders - use this to add photos of friends and family, any letters your friends write to you, and handy things like your timetable or flyers for events you want to go to. Useful and gives you a reminder of home when you want one

8.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Raincoat – there are times when you need to leave the warmth of your cosy room and venture out in the pouring rain, and sometimes even a 5 minute walk will leave you sitting in your lecture feeling soggy! Get a good waterproof coat with a hood and you’ll be sorted

9.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

A good set of non-stick pans, slow cooker or wok – these will make cooking so much easier, and a slow cooker means you can throw ingredients in before you leave and have a nice hot meal waiting for you when you get home. Brilliant in the winter!

10.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Blu-tack – double check your halls’ policy for putting things up on the wall, but Blu-tack is perfect for decorating with posters and photos

11.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

A TV License – don’t risk seeing how long you can get away with not being caught – would you rather fork out the £100 and something or the £1,000 bill?

12.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Hangers – it’s always the obvious stuff that gets forgotten - make sure you take hangers with you or you’ll end up in the local shops with puppy dog eyes begging for any spare!

13.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Door stop – handy for letting your flatmates know when you’re free and not studying, and also good for making friends when you first move in as people can wander in and say hi

14.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Under bed storage boxes – maximise your space!

15.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Tin opener and bottle opener – need we say more?!

16.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Mattress protector in case of spills – there’s no point crying over spilt milk (*cough* or red wine…) on your mattress – just get a mattress protector so the spills won’t go through. Also makes your bed comfier if you get a padded one!

17.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Cutlery – again, another obvious one but don’t forget it! It’s really tricky to eat SuperNoodles with the free spoon you get with a McFlurry…

18.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Amazon Prime Student – it’s half price for a year’s subscription as a student, and means you can enjoy one-day delivery, Amazon Prime TV, audio books, exclusive deals and discounts on your uni books for just £40 a year

19.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Clothes airer – there’s not a washing line to hang your clothes on in halls, and clothes airers are also handy for drying out towels or clothes that got rained on

20.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Hairdryer – perfect for getting ready in rush before a lecture!

21.

Giphy / Via giphy.com

Stamps – you never know when you might need to post something, whether it’s to do with Student Finance or a birthday card for your best friend back home. A book of stamps is always good to have

What's your top tip for the first year of uni life? Leave a comment below!