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WHAT TO BRING TO UNIVERSITY

M&S enterprise graduate Roxy Ryan shares top tips about the best essentials for university and how to make the most of your first year


What should be on every student’s must-pack university checklist?

Having at least the basic kitchen essentials will make cooking much more enjoyable, and you can never have enough glasses for when people come to yours for pre-drinks. It’s a good idea to have spares of bed linen and towels in case the washing machine is being used when you need it.

How can you make your room more homely?

I strung up photographs of friends and family from home on fairy lights. I had lots of soft blankets and throw pillows and brought a diffuser that smelt like home. It’s also a good idea to have an air bed for when friends from home visit.


What’s not obvious but worth taking to your uni dorm?

I’m the biggest over-packer and moving to university was no exception. Storage in university accommodation is normally quite tight, so any storage hacks you can use like boxes under the bed or in-wardrobe shoe hangers will help you squeeze in everything you need in an organised way.

Anything you took but didn’t use?

For some reason I thought I needed to take a coffee machine. I probably used it twice before packing it up and leaving it to gather dust under my bed. No first-year student has time to be cleaning those things between lectures and nights out.

Any advice for a first-year student?

You get out of university what you put in. So, get out of your comfort zone – try new things, meet new people and say yes. It’s easy to stay in your room, but that’s not going to give you the best years of your life!


Words: Roxy Ryan

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