Watching your child head off to university is one of those proud, emotional, slightly terrifying moments as a parent. You want them to have everything they need, but you also know they’ll learn to stand on their own two feet. The trick is helping them prepare without packing the kitchen sink.
Here’s a checklist of the essentials that will see them through those first few months away from home.
1. Important Documents
Before anything else, make sure they’ve got the boring but vital stuff sorted:
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Passport or driving licence (for ID)
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University acceptance letter and student ID (once issued)
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Bank details and student finance information
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National Insurance number
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NHS number and medical info (prescriptions, allergies, etc.)
Pro tip: encourage them to keep these in a safe folder that isn’t at the bottom of a messy rucksack.
2. Bedroom & Comforts from Home
Halls of residence rooms can be a bit plain. A few home comforts go a long way:
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Duvet, pillows, and spare bedding
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Mattress protector (trust us, it’ll be worth it)
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Laundry basket and hangers
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Desk lamp
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Photos, posters or something that makes it feel less like a hotel room
3. Kitchen Essentials
Most freshers’ kitchens end up looking like a car boot sale, but having a few basics of their own helps:
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1 decent saucepan and frying pan
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Plates, bowls, cutlery, mugs, glasses
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Sharp knife & chopping board
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Tin opener and bottle opener (they’ll thank you later)
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Reusable water bottle and travel mug
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A couple of Tupperware boxes
They don’t need a full dinner set – just enough so they can cook without relying on pot noodles every night.
4. Toiletries & Laundry
They’ll suddenly realise you’re not magically restocking the bathroom:
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Shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush & toothpaste
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Towels (bath and hand towels)
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First aid kit (painkillers, plasters, cold medicine)
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Washing powder, fabric conditioner, stain remover
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Laundry bag or basket
5. Tech & Study Gear
Uni life is a mix of lectures, late-night study sessions, and the occasional Netflix binge:
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Laptop and charger
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USB stick or external hard drive
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Headphones (noise-cancelling if possible)
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Extension lead (plug sockets are always in the wrong place)
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Notebooks, pens, highlighters
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Backpack for carrying it all around campus
6. Clothing Basics
Every fresher packs too much. Remind them they’ll have to store it in one small room:
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Everyday clothes, plus a couple of smarter outfits (for interviews or events)
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Warm jumper/coat (British weather = unpredictable)
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Sports kit (if they’re joining teams or the gym)
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Comfy loungewear (there will be many Netflix & pizza nights)
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Shoes: trainers, smart shoes, maybe a pair of boots for winter
7. Food & Store Cupboard Basics
A few simple ingredients will help them cook something edible when money is tight:
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Pasta, rice, noodles
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Tinned tomatoes, beans, soup
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Tea, coffee, hot chocolate
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Salt, pepper, oil, herbs/spices
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Biscuits (essential for making friends during late-night chats)
8. Money & Budgeting
This isn’t something you can pack, but it’s just as important. Have a conversation about:
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Budgeting weekly for food and nights out
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Using student discounts (NUS, UNiDAYS, railcards)
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Setting up direct debits for rent and bills
Final Thought
At some point, your child will forget something. They’ll ring you in a panic about missing cutlery, a lost charger, or the fact they haven’t got a potato peeler. That’s fine. Part of uni life is learning to cope, borrow, improvise, and laugh about it.
Your job is to make sure they leave home with the basics, a bit of confidence, and the knowledge that you’re just a phone call away (even if they only ring when the washing machine starts leaking).
