Heading off to uni? Wondering what to take? There’s a lot to think about. From remembering your chargers to figuring out how you’re going to survive your first 9 am lecture, the list of things to pack can feel endless.
While the big essentials might already be on your list, it’s often the smaller things that make student life feel a little easier, and a lot more like home.
From stationery for your first lecture to wall art for your new room, we’ve rounded up some of the things you’ll actually want to take with you to university.
1. Start with some good stationery
New term, new stationery. It’s practically a rule.
Whether you’re the type to colour-code every lecture, cover your notebook in stickers or scribble everything down as quickly as possible, having a few stationery essentials to hand will make those first few weeks of lectures and seminars a little easier.
A good notebook and a handful of reliable pens are a great place to start. Add a pencil case to keep everything together, and a planner can be useful for keeping track of lectures, deadlines and the occasional social commitment.
If you’re studying something creative, or simply love an excuse to get crafty, you could also add stickers, journals and other creative supplies to your collection.
2. Find a bag that can keep up
Your university bag is going to get a lot of use.
Think lectures, library sessions, coffee runs, days on campus and trips home for the weekend. Look for something roomy enough for your everyday essentials, but comfortable enough to carry around all day.
A good backpack or everyday bag can quickly become one of those things you wonder how you ever managed without.
And, of course, it needs to be big enough for your notebook collection. We don't make the rules.
3. Keep your water bottle close
From early lectures to long afternoons in the library, a reusable water bottle is one of those simple things you’ll probably use every day.
Choose one that’s easy to carry around campus and you’ll always have a drink to hand, no matter how far away the nearest café is.
And if coffee is more your thing, a reusable travel mug is another useful addition to your university bag.
4. Make your uni room feel like yours
One of the strangest things about moving into student accommodation is arriving in a room that looks the same as everyone else’s.
Plain walls? Basic furniture? No personality whatsoever? Don’t worry. That’s where your stuff comes in.
A few personal touches can make a surprisingly big difference to a student room. Wall art is an easy way to inject some colour and personality, while photo frames can bring pictures of friends, family and home along for the ride.
You could also add a few decorative accessories to your desk or shelves to make the space feel more like somewhere you actually want to spend time.
Just remember to check what you’re allowed to put on the walls in your accommodation before reaching for the Blu Tack.
5. Bring something that feels like home
Moving away for the first time can take a bit of getting used to, so don’t underestimate the comfort of having a few familiar things around you.
It could be your favourite mug, a framed photo, a candle or a small accessory that reminds you of home. They might not appear on the standard university packing list, but they can help make a new room feel much more familiar.
And let’s be honest: having a nice mug for your morning coffee or tea is going to make those early starts feel at least slightly more bearable.
These little details can also make great additions to a new student room, helping to turn a functional space into somewhere that feels personal.
Shop Mugs →
Shop Photo Frames →
Shop Candles →
6. The things you don’t technically need…
Technically, you could make it through university without a Jellycat.
But would you want to?
University is a new chapter, so there’s no reason everything you take with you has to be practical. A favourite character, a fun mug, a colourful notebook or a little something for your desk can bring some much-needed joy to a long study session.
These are also the perfect additions if you’re putting together a little university care package for someone else.
Because sometimes the things you don’t need are exactly the things you’ll be happiest to have.
Shop Jellycat →
7. Don’t forget the little things
Once you’ve packed the big stuff, it’s easy to forget the small things you’ll end up using all the time.
Before you head off, make sure you’ve got the everyday essentials covered:
- A notebook and pens
- A pencil case
- A reusable water bottle
- A bag for lectures
- A mug or travel mug
- Something to personalise your room
- A few photos from home
- A little something just because you like it
You don’t need to pack your entire life into the car. Just take the things that will make your new one feel a little more like home.
Getting ready for university?
Whether you’re preparing for your first year of university, heading back for another term or helping someone else get ready, there are plenty of ways to make the transition a little more fun.
From stationery for your first lecture to wall art and accessories for your new room, discover our picks for making student life a little more organised, and a lot more you.