Freshers Kit List

Coming to University for the first time is something that you will inevitably end up needing to go shopping for. The only question is what to buy??? Well, here's what I found semi-useful.

Sheets, pillow cases, duvet, duvet cover.
Saucepan set – this will get scratched to hell, so don’t buy the expensive ones. Three pans for a tenner at Wilkinsons. Bargain.
Kitchen knives – just a couple to cut things up with – bacon, cheese, chicken, bread, etc.
Cutlery – knives, forks, spoons, etc. Get it from IKEA, as they will all get lost and mixed in with everyone elses by the end of your first year.
Glasses – Pint glasses are best. Also coffee mugs are a good idea.
Plates – make them cheap ones, as at least one will fairly inevitably get broken along the way.
Computer – doesn’t matter if it _is_ crap. Just so long as you don’t find yourself in a cold computer room at 3AM doing an essay, and can be in your room instead. So long as it has a word processor thing and a printer, that’s fine.
CD Player – or use your computer. Something for music.
TV – if you have one spare. If not, don’t worry. And you probably won’t end up watching that much anyway.
If you have a spare microwave, they are an essential. If not, and most people don’t, get together with the rest of the corridor in Freshers Week and buy one – about a fiver each should do.
Clothes – Day wear (jeans, etc.), Evening wear (stuff that club doormen don’t object to) and sporting stuff.
Ca$h. Bring around a hundred quid in cash so you don’t have to keep chasing off to a cash machine during Freshers Week. (Average amount that gets spent at the AU mart – thirty quid.)
Keyring. You will accumulate a load of keys along the way, most of which you won’t know what are for.
Bike. A bike is a godsend, as it means you get into town in about five minutes, and it is far cheaper than a bus.
Clothes drying rack – the tumble driers are OK, but not great.
Washing powder – tablets are best, as they are nice and easy.
Mobile phone. You _need_ one of these things. Bringing the charger as well might be a good idea?
Posters – walls can be awfully bare, and it’s nice to have stuff you like up on them.
Gaffer tape/Tank tape/Duct tape/Duck tape/Elephant tape – that stuff. About an inch and a bit wide, comes in massive rolls from B&Q and other places, and costs about a fiver. Well worth it, just to seal people in their rooms.
Camera. The morning after, evidence is essential.
Email addresses/Phone No’s. of friends. Stay in touch – that way you can go and visit them and wreak havoc across the country.
Extension bars – those electrical things with four sockets on them. Buy a couple.
Loan form thing so you can get some cash. Likewise, bank stuff.
Batteries. AA is fine, but you’ll inevitably find something that needs them.
Passport photos. Essential during freshers week – every bloody person wants one – Department, SU, AU, .....
Alcohol. If you have a CostCo or something you can go to, this is a good one, as the alcohol on campus is a bit expensive. Bringing stuff also ensures variety.
Vitamin tablets – the odds of you getting the right mix when living on student food are quite low.
Toothbrush/razor/etc.


Inevitably, there will be stuff that you haven’t brought. In most cases, you can borrow from the people on your corridor/block/college/block. And equally, there will be stuff I have left off this – I’ll try and keep it up to date-ish.

2058/22/08/2002