Coming to university can be both stressful and exciting, there are many things that you can do to feel more secure and ready for when the semester starts. As a 3rd year students about to take on a Masters degree, I feel as though I have had plenty of time and experience to give you an insight into what to prepare before university.

Items to prepare

Here is a list of what I recommend to bring with you to university:

Bedroom

• Flat sheet/fitted sheet
• Pillows & Pillow cases
• Duvet and Duvet cover
• Laundry basket
• Mini bin liners

Bathroom

• Hand soap
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Toothpaste, mouthwash, floss and a toothbrush
• Bathroom cleaning products
• Towels

Kitchen

• Plates, bowls, cups and cutlery
• Washing up liquid
• Washing up sponge/gloves
• Pots, pans, baking tray and other cooking equipment
• Towels

Things to think about

There are several helpful things you can start preparing for and thinking about during the summer break. These include:

• How you will use and pay for transport around Reading, it would be good to think about student discounts and passes to help you save money
• Think about how you will budget for food and drinl
• Find out how the laundry system works in your halls
• Find out about the different services available to you at university, this includes financial help, wellbeing support etc. You can find out more on Essentials.
• Find out about the halls hotline

Making a checklist of things to pack that you slowly add to can be handy, and ensure you have the things you need. You can also make a list of the things you want to look up (e.g. bus routes/travelling in Reading, grocery stores/shops in Reading, laundry in your Halls, learning about Student Support services at UoR, learning out about Halls Hotline etc.) if you’re eager to learn more about the University.