This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Durham chapter.
Yes, we know that freshers’ week is already over, but tell us: in between all the organizing, socializing and fairs, did you ever have any spare time to sit down with a catalog and look at copious amounts of identical-looking bed sheets etc.? Of course not. Now you’re left with two full drawers of cutlery and pans that your mum thought would be handy, but your shared kitchen is already overflowing because somehow, everybody thought they would need their own colander in catered halls. At this point in the term, you’re probably looking to get yourself settled and ready for the academic year. The following list will help you organize your second round of shopping:
THE LIST
- Kettle
- Stapler
- Desk lamp (optional – you will usually only be provided one lamp per room)
- Second set of bed linen (laundry is often not done as quickly as expected)
- Push-pins (usually you are provided with a cork board)
- Heated blanket/portable heater (honestly the best investment I’ve made during these three years)
- Fairy lights
- Blu-tac (for fairy lights and the posters you got at fresher’s fair etc.)
- Sticky tape
- Loungewear, loungewear, loungewear!
- Fluffy dressing gown
- 2 mugs (to alternate)
- Desk storage
- Folders
- Magazine files
- Paper clips
- Cleaning wipes
- Bottle opener
- Scissors
- Mattress topper (to make your mattress more comfortable/hygienic)
- Laundry detergent
- Laundry conditioner
- Laundry basket (ideally collapsible)
- Big IKEA-style bag (for transporting the laundry)
- Instant food (perfect when you’re in a pinch at the end of the month, or can’t be bothered to cook)
- External hard-drive/USB (necessary for back-ups; useful for organization)
- Toastie maker (life saver)
- Hangers (you will probably need more than provided)
- Storage solutions for inside your closet
- Wall clock
- Small diary
- Tabletop mirror
- Smoothie-maker (optional; great for leftover fruit and veg)
- Diffuser (for essential oils of your choosing; halls will not allow candles)
- Extension cable
- Post-its
- Playing cards (for pre’s or game night)
- Lighter
- Lockable small box (especially when living in halls)
- Umbrella
Image Credits
https://pixabay.com/photo-2559958/
Taken by the author