List of things you need for university
If you are a parent with a child starting university, then this post is for you. If you are a parent with a child who will start university in the future, then this post is also for you.
I remember my first day at university (a long, long time ago!), where I felt very much out of my comfort zone. I had taken a private student loan during my gap year between college and uni and worked to save up for my whopping tuition fees and accommodation costs. However, everything ended up being a lot more expensive than I had initially imagined and, to say that I had learned a lot of difficult financial lessons during my time as a student, was a massive understatement. Student life was harder than I thought!
So here is a list of things you need for university that will help your child settle into life away from home!
List of things you need for university
An education on basic cooking
You don’t want your child living on baked beans on toast throughout university, so a simple education on how to cook basic pasta and rice dishes, along with staple sauces like Bolognese, white/cheese and pesto sauce will encourage a healthy and varied diet, with better results at uni all-round.
A good current bank account with student perks
Lots of bank accounts offer interest-free overdrafts when your child opens up a bank account, along with many other perks like discounts to well-known brands and stores. So, it’s worth shopping around to check which bank account best suits your child’s situation. Moneysavingexpert.com has tons of information on the student current accounts available at the moment, so I’d advise checking there first.
It’s also worth giving your child a lesson in managing their finances. If you need some budgeting tips, check out this article.
A current workable CV to help them get a part-time job at university
If you help your child create a great workable CV, even if it doesn’t include any actual work experience, they will have a good chance of getting a part-time job during university during their job search and stand on their own two feet financially, which will teach them valuable lessons later in life.
Summer school to prepare your child for uni life
Preparing your child for university involves more than just equipping them with practical life skills and essentials. Enrolling them in a pre-university summer school can be a pivotal step. These programs, available for students aged 16-18, offer an immersive experience into university life and studies, significantly enhancing their university applications.
Whether opting for free programs aimed at students from under-represented communities or paid courses covering a variety of subjects, these summer schools provide an invaluable opportunity for your child to explore their academic interests, experience the university environment, and bolster their readiness for higher education.
Ultimate university packing list for everyday use
For the kitchen
- 1 pot*
- 1 pan*
- 1 Cutlery set*
- Cutting knife*
- Cutting board*
- Spatula*
- Mixing spoon*
- Cheese grater*
- 1 Plate set*
- Cups*
- Mugs*
- Shot glasses*
- Measuring cups*
- Hangover kit*
- Dishcloth*
For the room
Uni essentials and university stationery list
A decent laptop – with insurance
A laptop means your child can type notes in lectures and complete their assignments in their room, in the library, in the park, at their friend’s house or in a club (whatever floats their boat). You can also keep in contact with them via Skype, email or messenger. A laptop means versatility, security and no excuses to not work!
Here are some great student-friendly laptops out in the market today:
Apple M1 MacBook Air

Dell XPS 13 9310

HP Pavilion 14

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2021)

Huawei MateBook X

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go

Acer Swift 5 (2021)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 13.5in

LG Gram 17

*Collaborative featured post*
*Links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.

