Written by Catalina Constantin (3rd year Journalism & Media student at DMU)
You’re off to uni in Leicester! Congratulations! Moving from home to student accommodation is an exciting time. We’re here to help you embark on this adventure with as less stress as possible. If you’re worried about living on campus and how it will be compared to living at home, check out our previous blog.
Are you renting a studio or a bedroom in a shared house with a group of people? Do you have an en-suite bathroom? Is your accommodation in the uni halls of residence? If you still haven’t booked a place and you need more guidance, check out our blog for more in-depth perspectives of what’s out there.
What about your expenses? We need to have our rent, bills, and groceries in order. Are your bills included? Speak to the accommodation office about what is provided in your contract and flat such as the utilities, size of the room, bed, and other furniture.
Now, for those of you who already have a place booked, I have a list of all the items you need to purchase and bring with you.
The most important ones? Your documents, followed by any medication, electrical items, clothes, and everyday things. Don’t forget any chargers and consider bringing an extension lead.
Bathroom essentials:
- Toothbrush / Toothpaste
- Aftershave
- Toilet rolls
- Bath and hand towels
- Shower gel & Soap
- Shampoo / Conditioner
What about the bedroom essentials? You’ll need a duvet cover, pillows, and two sets of sheets so you can wash them regularly.
Consider certain home comforts such as hangers, ear plugs, laundry bags, clothes airers, room spray. I would say to keep the decoration light keeping in mind you would have to carry things back home and I’m assuming we are on a budget. Lamps and plants could be good for you.
You’ll need kitchen supplies:
- Plates / Bowls
- Glasses / Mugs
- Cutlery
- Spatula
- Scissors
- Chopping knifes
- Chopping board
- Reusable food containers
- Baking tray
- Pots, pans & tupperware
- Tea towels
- Washing-up liquid
I strongly encourage you to research what grocery stores are around your accommodation and reserve a slot to have most items delivered to your accommodation upon your arrival. It would save you a lot of time.
As soon as you get to your accommodation, pay attention to the inventory. Take photos and videos of everything to make sure you’ll get your full deposit back when you move out. You shouldn’t be charged to fix things done by others.
Get cleaning! Make your bed when you arrive. If you don’t manage to unpack everything, at least you’ll have a place to sleep and start over in the morning.
Get to know your flatmates, if you have any. Make sure you keep in mind people’s habits and work around a schedule to suit you all. There will be understandable disagreements, try to be patient.
Find out where you can wash your clothes. The key to making it as cheap as possible is to wash big loads at one time.
And don’t forget an umbrella or a rain jacket. This is the UK, after all.
If you would like to get in touch about the moving in experience you can call us on 0116 467 0315, sending us an email to enquiries@sulets.com, or popping into our lettings office on the DMU campus.