Student Life | What to Pack

Essential packing list

You can find a pretty extensive list of all the boring things you'll probably need here.

What kind of zombie apocalypse weapon is that, gurl?

Apart from stuff on the above list, consider taking;

• Thermos flasks - using these to make your own tea or coffee is going to save you a bomb. I mean the literal explosion that's going to happen in your heart when you see your bank statement. Also, if you want to be eco-friendly, take a large thermos to store hot water in, so when you want a cup of tea you don't have to boil the kettle every time. 
• Tupperware - in the same way a thermos can save you money and confound Starbucks, you can save loads on food through packed lunches. Just make a bit extra for dinner and eat the leftovers for lunch the next day. Old cases for stacked writable CDs make excellent cases for bagels.
• A calculator - I can hear the arts students wincing already. Smart phones and computers do have calculators, but for job applications, nothing beats a good old scientific calculator. If you're a second or third year student, the chances are applications for large, competitive companies are going to involve a numerical aptitude test, so save yourself time and money by packing your own - it doesn't take up much space! 

• Business cards - again, freshers aren't going to need/care about these things. But for stressing finalists, the great thing about business card etiquette is that if you hand someone your card, it's near impossible for them to avoid handing you theirs. Buy hundreds for a few pounds and collect important peoples' details with them. It's like swapping your basic un-evolved pokemon for shinies. Also, conference cases can be bought from £10 upwards. They normally come with a notepad, and contain spaces for business cards, ipads, pens. If you're thinking about going to a job fair, consider buying one of these to look more professional.
• Printer - from personal experience, I cannot tell you how much time I have wasted spent walking to and fro from the library. Not worth it. Just get a printer for your room, it works out cheaper in the long run.
• Pack of postcards/cards - I can't speak for all unis, but at Cambridge you end up leaving notes in other peoples pigeon holes all the time. If you've got loads around the house you never use, you might as well take them with you. Who doesn't love getting postcards?   
• Fancy dress box - collect every fancy dress item in your house and pack it. If you're thinking "when am I going to wear the octopus costume I made in year 8 for a school play?", the answer is up to you - you make the opportunities. Become a campus costume legend or fade into outfit obscurity. Also, the old blue gingham dress you wore at primary school makes a great Alice in Wonderland pinafore. 
• Coat - alright, this is here just for me because in the excitement of buying a whole new set of stationary and the flurry of packing, I *once* forgot to pack my winter jacket. Learn from my mistakes.