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  • Writer's pictureZizz

10 things NOT to bring to uni!


The leap from home to university is a big one, but it will be a lot easier if you're not carrying lots of stuff you don't need! I can't tell you the number of YouTube videos I watched before moving into halls, temptingly named 'What to take to uni'. However, what I didn't find, or honestly even think about, was what not to bring. This resulted in a rather packed car and loads of items I didn't even touch in my first year. If you really find something that you can't live without, you can always buy it once you're there. So, here are 10 things to leave at home when you move to uni:


1. Kettle/ Toaster

Don't get me wrong, these are definitely kitchen essentials, but it's often difficult to tell whether your kitchen in halls will already have them or not. Once you arrive at uni, you can then group together with your flatmates to buy these items. This not only makes it a lot cheaper for each of you, but means you don't have multiple unnecessary items taking up space!


2. Candles

For obvious safety reasons, most student accommodations won't allow candles or any naked flames in your house. For a nice scent, reed diffusers are a great alternative! Similarly, if it's the ambient lighting you're looking for, LED fairy lights are a must have!


3. Door Stops

In almost every YouTube video I watched on 'what to bring to uni', everyone recommended bringing a door stop so you can prop your bedroom door open and meet all of your new flatmates. However, in my hall of residence, and every other one I've heard about, you're not allowed to keep your room doors open as they must be kept close to keep it sealed in case of a fire. If you really want to keep your door open on your first day to meet people, use a chair or bin to prop it open! Definitely not worth a new purchase.


4. Over door hangers

Although at first they may seem like a great space-saving idea, the majority of doors in halls are wide fire-proofed doors. This not only means that they're too thick to fit a set of hangers over, but you're actually not allowed to as this breaks through the fire proof seal around the door.


5. Printer

Similarly to kitchen appliances, a printer is a great idea to have in your flat, but probably best to share the price with your flatmates! A printer can save your late night library trips when you have a last minute essay due in the next morning. However, they're not only expensive to buy, but also to run as ink cartridges and paper can get expensive. Save these costs by sharing with your flatmates once you've arrived at uni!

6. Old School Books and Notes

It's great to be a prepared and conscientious student, but the majority of your old notes will be irrelevant at uni. Go through your old folders and pick out what's absolutely necessary to take with you. Anything else can be picked up when you next go home, or even scanned across to you.


7. All of your decorations from home

As much as it's important to make your space at university as homely as possible, there's nothing worse than coming home for the first time to an empty, stripped room. Take a few of your favourite things from your room at home and buy anything else once you're there!


8. Too many plates and bowls

Having too many plates and bowls in the kitchen just takes up space and rarely all get used anyway! Having fewer pieces of crockery encourages washing up too! On the odd occasion that you have people over, ask them to bring their own plates or borrow a flatmate's!


9. Your entire reading list

Every single student will tell you it's not a great idea to purchase your entire course reading list before you get to uni. Books are heavy and take up a huge amount of space. Once you've started your course you can make a far better judgement call on what's necessary to buy and what can be borrowed from the library or found online.


10. Blu Tack or Wall Pins

It's so nice to be able to put photos or posters up in your bedroom to make it feel homely, but almost all student accommodation has a ban on things like this in case they mark your wall! I would recommend Command Strips as a great alternative. Read the instructions carefully to make sure you remove them correctly and they won't leave a mark!


I hope this is helpful! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!


If you're interested in what you should be bringing to uni, check out this blog post!


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Zizz x

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