This is the ultimate guide of life saving university essentials every single student needs.
Heading off to university can be super stressful. What do you bring to university? What do I absolutely need? These are the questions you no longer need to ask yourself because luckily for you, as an ex student, who has packed up to go to university three times(!!) I know EXACTLY what university essentials you need!
If you want a FULL detailed list of EVERY single thing you will need (from kitchen, to bedroom, to bathroom) click here for the ultimate university pack list!
This post is all about 22+ absolute university essentials that will make your life so much easier!
University Essentials You NEED!
Now we are not talking about the absolute basics in this post (if you would like those click here for every single thing you need for university), we are talking about university essentials you should definitely bring but are not crucial. However these essentials for university will become your life-saving items in no time!
1. A First Aid Kit
- 92 pieces - comes with everything you will need!
- Great for travel, too
First thing’s first, get a first aid kit. This is an absolute life saver… literally. This nifty little thing comes with bandages, plasters, safety pins, gauze and more. The only thing you will need to add is some paracetamol and you are good to go.
I always reached for my first aid kit; when I accidentally cut myself, or burnt myself (accidentally) on the stove, or even when I had blisters from a pair of shoes.
2. University Essential: Water Bottle with Timings!
I have one of these and I freaking love it! It helps me drink SO much water (more than I would do if it didn’t have the timings!) The timings really are motivational and give you a great indication of how much water you are drinking throughout the day! 🙂 An ultimate university essential for health and sanity.
3. Desk Cable Holders
As I am typing this, my laptop charger is thrown across my pen pot to stop it from falling behind the desk. I need to invest in these 100% now, but these would have helped SO much at university. Your desk/ nightstand are really your only place where you can place things so these cable holders will be great for arranging all of your cables and keeping them tidy and organised.
4. University Essentials Over the Door Organiser
- Hangs over the door - perfect for wardrobe, bedroom, or bathroom
- 6 compartments
Your storage in your university room will not be great; whether you’re in halls or a house, you will need more storage. This is why an over the door organizer is one of the best university essentials that will make your life so much easier! You can put this over your bedroom door or your bathroom door and dedicate each compartment for different things!
These could be getting ready steps, things you need to grab before you leave, towels, toilet paper, etc. Whatever you need you can place in this bad boy and know exactly where it is and grab it with ease.
This also comes in a range of colours so their is definitely something that will suit you!
5. Reusable ‘Makeup Remover’ Pads
Whether you are a guy or a girl, you wear makeup or you don’t , using towels on our face is so bad for our skin! However, using cotton pads is bad for the environment. Which is why these reusable pads are one of the perfect university essentials. It saves you money, saves environmental waste, and also saves your skin!
Want more Student posts?
- Click HERE if you want more ways to ace your A-levels
- Check out everything University and studying HERE
- Here you will find great productivity tips!
- The BEST Stationery list for students is right HERE
- HERE are the best backpacks you can buy for college!
6. A Personal Safety Alarm – A MUST have University Essentials
- Police Approved
- 140DB
- Comes with torch - fits on your key
- Multiple Colours
Whilst at uni/ college you’re exposed to so many people (and go to a lot of parties etc.) It’s very important to put your safety first and carry a personal safety alarm with you- you never know when you are going to need it. Hopefully you don’t but its always best to be safe than sorry.
7. This DURABLE Shower Caddy
I’ve had more than a few shower caddies that were of absolute awful quality, and broke on me after about a week.
I would suggest investing in a nice durable one like this, that you can put all of your bathroom stuff in and carry it to the bathroom as and when you need it.
A true lifesaver when you are holding up your towel yet do not have enough hands to carry all of your shower bottles 😂.
Having said that you can also put all of your cleaning supplies in it.
8. Odour Trap (VIPoo)
This is just common courtesy really. There is nothing worse than going into the bathroom after someone’s number 2- especially a stranger. Buy on for yourself, buy one for your whole house, keep it in the bathroom, just get one lol.
9. Dark and Light Laundry Basket
- Multiple colour and compartment options
- 3 separate compartments
- Collapsible - easily transported
There is nothing more annoying than accidentally putting in a few white socks in a dark wash, or something dark in a light wash. Say goodbye to discoloured laundry and separating your clothes, and hello to just being able to chuck it into the wash!
This is a great university essentials as it saves you so much time, money and stress.
10. Extension Cable
- 4 sockets
- 4 USB Ports
- Can take on holiday with you
- Very long 1.8m cord
Something you may forget but something that is so vital is an extension lead! This bad boy also comes with some USB cable ports so you don’t even need the charger head.
You will not realise how many electrical items you have until you get to uni and only have two plugs.
11. USB Desk Lamp
These little lamps are absolute gems! They are rechargeable light sources(? lol what?) that can sit on your desk, you can move it around, take it with you anywhere, and have a great light source.
These lights come with different light intensity options (which is great when doing makeup, school work, and even winding down for the night), so you really can’t go wrong with this lamp.
Oh and this one has a pen holder! We love a multi-functional queen 😍.
12. Planner
I don’t think much needs to be said about having a planner. Planners are life saving. Planners are the key to staying organised and getting stuff done.
Planner are one of the ultimate university essentials that you need no matter what. These Boxclever planners are great because they come in a bunch of different formats and styles!
13. Bento Box – The Ultimate University Essentials
This bento box is so frickin cool! I would take leftovers a lot to university and its good to have something that is nice and sturdy that comes with cutlery and more than one compartment!
You can separate your main and your snacks, which is great, and you never have to awkwardly ask staff for plastic cutlery again 😂
PS. these bento boxes come in a lot of colours – click here for pink and blue.
14. Travel Mug
- uni teas are mank so bring your own flask with a tea bag in and ask for hot water (life saver)
- most coffee shops in and around campus will give you money off if you have a flask
- you can take it with you to morning lectures
- little waste!
I had this brand when I was a student, and really recommend them! One thing I would say though is that these flasks can be quite leaky so do NOT put them in your bag.
Want more Student posts?
- Click HERE if you want more ways to ace your A-levels
- Check out everything University and studying HERE
- Here you will find great productivity tips!
- The BEST Stationery list for students is right HERE
- HERE are the best backpacks you can buy for college!
15. Good Quality Sleeping Pillows
These are an absolute must-have. A set of good pillows will last you your whole university life and perhaps even beyond. These are so important to make sure you have a good, comfortable sleep every night and wake up nice and refreshed for your studies 😜.
16. An OODIE!
I live in my blanket-jumper! This will honestly save your life because at university/ college your heating is either never on or it is broken. It’s important to stay nice and cosy so definitely purchase an oodie.
This one comes in a range of colours, too!
17. This Mug Warmer
Yes, these really do exist. Yes, you 100% need one.
It is so annoying sitting at your desk and having your tea/ coffee go cold ten minutes into your work.
Buy this mug warmer so you will always have a nice hot drink. This means less trips to the kitchen and a less chance of awkward conversation on said trips to the kitchen 😂.
18. Portable Charger
Sometimes you’re in class or on the train home and there is no power outlet in sight. Grab one of these amazing portable chargers to keep your phone’s battery up and avoid your fine dying on you.
This specific one is very lightweight so it will not weigh down your bag and will charge your phone 0-100% twice.
19. Clear Storage Containers
You’re probably wondering: ‘why do i need these?’ Well in shared accomodation you are likely given one cupboard and one shelf in the fridge. These clear containers will optimise your space, keep your food separate and all the while, allowing you to see what you have in both the fridge and the cupboard.
It’s great to have these containers because as you are sharing a fridge, people put questionable stuff in their so you really do want to keep your food separate.
These ones from mDesign are the cheapest and nicest I have found.
20. Mini Desk Vacuum
Chances are you will be working at, socialising around and eating at your desk. This means your desk is bound to get a little messy and dirty. This mini desk vacuum is perfect for catching crumbs, eraser bits and general mess from your desk.
Its small size means it can easily fit in a desk drawer or shelf and is easily transportable. This also comes in a range of colours so there is bound to be a colour that fits your aesthetic.
This will help you so much and keep you from throwing crumbs and paper on the floor!
21. Tea Towels
Whatever you do, do not use anyone else’s tea towels. You have no clue what they have been used for and how long they have remained unwashed for.
These are staple university essentials that only you should touch. Keep on in your room and one in your cupboard and thank me when you are 1 month into uni and other people are using a slimy ass dish towel to wipe their hands on.
22. Carry-on Suitcase
- Airline approved- use it for holidays too!
- Cabin sized so can fit easily in a wardrobe/ under the bed
- Multiple colour options
If you are going home longer than a few days, you will probably need a little suitcase to put your things in, instead of breaking your back with a bunch on unnecessary bags.
The best on for this, imo, that’s the most affordable and durable is this plain amazon basics one! This has gotten me through three years of uni and loads of little city break holidays. I highly recommend this.
There we have it! 22 University Essentials for 2021 that will make your life SO much easier!
Want more Student posts?
- Click HERE if you want more ways to ace your A-levels
- Check out everything University and studying HERE
- Here you will find great productivity tips!
- The BEST Stationery list for students is right HERE
- HERE are the best backpacks you can buy for college!
This post was all about university essentials every student needs.
