What to pack for your first term at university

With university soon approaching, IKEA can been seen brimming with students, all filling their trollies with the essentials they will need to survive living on their own for the first time.

But what about the items every student regrets forgetting?

Although the ritual of a messy room has for years been associated with being a stereotypical teenager, the real problem announces itself on laundry day.

And while most students avoid this inevitable task for as long as they can, the pile grows increasingly larger – making wheels a near necessity for the trip to the launderette. Otherwise 100m will never have seemed so far away.

This is not for lazing around the kitchen in. This is for the repetitive 2am wake up calls by the world’s loudest fire alarm.

Whether it’s yet another malfunction (the fifth time this month) or a predictable drunken accident, these early morning rises will become the bane of your lives. And the UK is cold.

It was all fun and games going on that group shopping spree to buy cheap bedding for the freshers toga party, but it only takes one week at university to realise money goes quickly. And with most university fancy dress nights becoming serious affairs, that old Halloween costume hidden in the back of the wardrobe could end up being a valued item of clothing.

One week in is enough to realise that making an effort to look good 24/7 is not worth it. Two weeks in and flip-flops will be dreamt about as a comfy and easy footwear to walk to friend’s houses in.

Man-flu may just be a facade, but fresher’s flu definitely isn’t. It's a very serious matter – which will result in thousands feeling like they’re dying within the first few days – and multi-vitamins will become a true blessing.

Paired with painkillers to cure the worst hangovers you will ever experience, and these two items will become a precious form of currency.

Although not many are naive enough to expect top quality products and efficient repair men at university, not many realise just how often things will break. And with drunken personas a student’s worst nightmare, that measly £2 spent on these items will become worth it hours into university life.

Another vital form of currency at university. Whether it’s shared bathrooms or private ensuites in student accommodation, there is never not a shortage when it comes to toilet roll. And as toilet roll disappears quicker than teaspoons do in halls, a secret stash will soon make you anyone’s new best friend.

With black out blinds being the one thing most universities are successful at supplying, the beloved item for those hung-over mornings is greatly appreciated. However when one too many shots the night before results bright lights becoming unbearable, a small desk lamp will be exactly what is needed to avoid having to open the curtains or turn on the main light.

Naively thinking that washing will be done on a weekly basis, freshers will soon realise this was never going to happen. And with every item already worn twice and strewn across the bedroom floor, a bottle of room freshener will become a student’s new best friend.

While health and safety was clearly at the forefront of designing university halls, socialising was not. And with fire doors making for an unsociable fresher’s week, a door stop will go a long way with the universal understanding that an open door makes for an open and friendly person.