As a Senior Resident, I know there are so many things to consider when it comes to moving into student accommodation at Buckinghamshire New University. With endless lists of things to buy and limited space, not just in your room but the car, I’ve tried to compile a simple version full of the must haves.

First off is the bathroom

• Large towels
• Hand towels
• Bath mat
• Flannel and loofah
• Toiletries i.e. Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant
• Hand soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste - you can also consider a toothbrush holder 

I’ve found bringing some sort of small storage unit for your toiletries helpful. It’s a great way to keep your bathroom tidy since there aren’t any cupboards to put away your things. If you are living in Brook Street and are sharing a bathroom it might be nice to keep your things separate!

Things like toilet cleaner and soap can either be brought with you or purchased on your first supermarket trip.

Next on to the bedroom

• Bedding - duvet and duvet cover, sheets, blankets, pillows, pillow cases and a mattress protector
• Mattress topper - I cannot emphasise how much of a lifesaver this is!
• Coat hangers
• Clothes of course! Your day to day items along with a few going out bits especially for Freshers’ fortnight. Remember to bring a variety since it’ll begin to get colder in the winter months.
• Dressing gown
• Slippers or sliders. Just something easy to pop on when you walk to the kitchen
• A clock
• Pictures for your cork board in your room and some pins to put them up with
• A personal favourite of mine is a soft toy. It reminds me of home!

Then the kitchen

• Sauce pan
• Frying pan
• Baking tray
• Chopping boards
• Plates - a mix of big and small is good idea
• Bowls - I know it’s tempting to buy big sets but in reality you only ever using one or two of each item
• Glasses
• Knives
• Coffee mugs
• Cutlery
• Tea towel
• Oven gloves
• Colander
• Wooden spoon
• A bottle opener
• Scissors
• Can opener
• Potato peeler
• Storage containers for your leftovers or food prep
• Washing up liquid
• A pack of sponges
• A padlock for your cupboards on the kitchen

For study

• A laptop or iPad that can be taken to lectures along with chargers - trust me the worst thing to happen is for it to die half way through taking notes
• Extension cable
• Headphones
• Notebooks
• Diary
• Binders
• Pens

Some other things to consider

• ID - many events held by Bucks Students' Union require you to show your ID so it’s best to bring some with you either in the form of a passport or driving license.
• Cash.
• A medicine box with paracetamol, cough sweets, ibuprofen and plasters. Freshers flu can be nasty and it’s good to be prepared.
• Laundry detergent
• If you are bringing your bike with and plan to leave it in the bike shed, I recommend a padlock to keep it safe.

Of course, not everyone is going to use everything. If you are more of the cooking from scratch type of person you might prefer to have a few extra bits and if you burn pasta and hate cooking well only the bare minimum is needed.

It’s good to remember you will always find yourself accumulating lots of bits and pieces throughout the year and will find yourself having far more than what you started with. 

If you do end up forgetting anything and are living life on a true student budget, there is always Bucks New Usage which is an initiative where students can donate unwanted items and other students can take them for free. For more information contact the Student Hub.