This post is all about what not to bring to uni.
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Packing for uni was a real nightmare, especially having to move from another country. I wish I had done some research on what NOT to bring to uni, it would have saved me a lot of money and space.
After learning from all those mistakes, I’ve created this list to make sure you don’t do the same thing!
1. Kitchen Appliances
You’ll need to double-check the appliances you’ll be given but you won’t need most of them for sure. Uni halls usually provide you with Iron and Ironing Board, Kettle, Microwave, Toaster, etc, so don’t worry about that.
I would recommend getting a Mini Steamer instead. It’s a lot less work and easier to store.
2. Printer
It might sound convenient to have your own printer to use whenever you want, but the truth is that you’ll find printers at the library that you’ll be able to use for free or a few cents. Getting your own printer is a waste of money and space!
3. Candles
I know it sucks, but you won’t be allowed candles at uni halls because they are considered fire hazards. It’s not the end of the world though. There are other options like essential oil diffusers, which can also work as part of the decoration.
4. All The Clothes You Own
If you are packing for an entire year, you’ll need clothes for all the different seasons, not to mention the outfit choices you’ll need in certain situations. You might think it’s easier to dump your entire wardrobe into your suitcase, but seriously, DON’T.
The space is very limited in student accommodation and you won’t even wear half the clothes you take with you. If you haven’t worn the item in more than 6 months and can’t imagine 3 or more outfits to wear it with, don’t pack it.
5. Large Suitcases
You’ll need some kind of travel bag for when you go home or on trips but you won’t need an extra-large suitcase. It will end up under your bed taking up a lot of room that you can use for other purposes.
I would bring a weekender or small suitcase for the times you travel. Weekenders or duffels are perfect because you can fold them and save a lot of space.
6.Hoover
If you’re living at uni halls, it’s highly unlikely you will need your own hoover. You will probably have one per flat to share and/or cleaning service. Either way, you don’t need to bring one.
If you still want to have your own cleaning device to use whenever you want, I recommend you to buy a Handheld Vacuum to make sure that your desk and smaller spaces are always free of dust.
7. Books
Resist the temptation to bring all your favourite books or buy beforehand those on your reading list. I brought a million books thinking that I’d have time to read and chill and the truth is that yes, I read, but no, I didn’t need to bring 20 books.
If you love reading and can’t survive without that copy of Pride and Prejudice, invest in a Kindle. It takes up no room at all and you can take it with you everywhere.
8. A TV
Your laptop will serve you as a TV most of the time, so avoid spending money on a new TV, which will also take up a lot of valuable room. Uni halls usually have a TV in the kitchen if you really need it, so you just need to invest in an HDMI cable.
Also, if you live in the UK and want to bring a TV to halls, you’ll have to pay for your own TV license, which is around 100 quid a year.
9. A Sofa
Okay, this might sound obvious but I’ve seen it everywhere. You won’t have room for a sofa unless you have an extra-large bedroom, which are really expensive and hard to get.
If you still want something to chill on apart of your bed and desk chair, get yourself a bean bag, they are cheaper, smaller and really comfy.
10. Expensive Stuff
Do not bring real jewellery or other expensive stuff to uni. I’ve heard hundreds of stories of people losing really valuable items at the bar or got them stolen from their room.
Buy cheap replacements of everything and keep the good stuff at home, please!
This post was all about what not to bring to uni.
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Yes! This is a great list. And as someone who just graduated uni, I 100% agree with bringing large suitcases with you. Carrying 5 trash bags full of clothes every winter break was not fun 😂
Very informative and you have great tips!!
This is a great list! A lot of these are things I brought my Freshman year but ended up not using!
My parents bought me a printer for college, so I of course brought it with. I lived in a dormitory with a printer in the basement, plus the library was only a short walk away. Free printing! I felt bad getting rid of their gift, so moved it with me 4 years of college…and only used it a handful of times. It was a waste of desk space!
Great tips. I was lucky to find the people I would be living with on a group chat before move in, so we all split the big kitchen items we would need between us.
I wish I knew not to get a TV when I went to College. We didn’t have flat screens back then so my TV was heavy to carry after every move!
These are great things to know not to bring to college! When I left I brought all of my clothes and random junk that just took up space.
Yeah, T.V.s and Printers are pretty unnecessary since you can pretty much watch anything on your laptop and all schools will always provide printing.