Written by Chloe Debono
Starting university can be overwhelming, especially when you have no idea what to pack. Whether you’re moving into campus accommodation or packing your uni bag for your first class – it can be stressful.
I learnt along the way and found what has worked for me. This blog will hopefully help break down and make your transition to university a little easier.
What to Pack for Class
I was so torn with what to bring with me to class. I remember buying this cute tote bag and was so excited to use it – but looking back now it was so unpractical. I now have a bag that reflects how busy a uni student can be. It has zippers and pockets which are so handy! A practical bag is essential as you’ll be carrying so many things around.
Now what to put in your bag? Although I use my laptop (specifically OneNote) to take all my notes, a notebook comes in extremely handy! Definitely bring highlighters, pens and pencils. I’ve used them more than expected.
Uni takes up a lot of brain power – I would suggest bringing a snack to class, it definitely keeps you going. There’s nothing worse than being hungry in a class and losing all your focus! My go-to snacks would be yogurt, fruit, carrots, a muesli bar or a muffin. If you’re a coffee or tea addict like me, make sure to pack your reusable cup, most Charles Sturt campuses offer free hot water, teabags and instant coffee, so you can refill anytime and save some money.
I have a mini-bag within my uni bag stocked with essentials including, Panadol, Nurofen, tissues, lip balm, hair elastics, tampons, hand sanitiser, Band-Aids and perfume – these items come in handy often!
What Pack for Moving to Campus
I moved onto campus for my first year of university and had no idea what I needed to bring – honestly, I found it so stressful. There were so many things I was unsure about and didn’t want to buy stuff I’d never use.
One hot tip – if you’re unsure on something don’t buy it! Wait until you move and then you’ll know if you really need it. You’ll also be able to see what your dorm provides, and what works well for you. I wasn’t sure whether to buy an air-fryer, I ended up sharing one with a friend in my dorm. I also wasn’t sure if I needed an iron, but there was one in the dorm for us all to share.
I’d recommend the following items that I found essential:
- Damp rid (this one is a must)
- Mini clothes horse for your room
- Food containers
- Spices and condiments
- Cleaning supplies
- Laundry basket
- Shower caddy
- Umbrella
- Heat pack
- Lint roller
- Air freshener
- Power board
- Shoe rack
- Multiple tiered coat hanger
- Plants and room décor!
Good luck transitioning to university – I hope these tips help make it a little less daunting!
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative
