What not to pack for university
Congratulations! You’ve secured your place at university, and now it’s time to get ready for the big move. Packing for university is exciting, but it’s easy to go overboard and bring items you’ll never use. To save you space, stress, and unnecessary effort, here’s a guide to the most pointless items you don’t need to bring to university.
#1 A 24-Piece Cutlery Set
Let’s face it: you’re only one person. A massive cutlery set is not just unnecessary—it’s a disaster waiting to happen. You’ll lose most of it, and what’s left will likely end up hidden in your room to protect it from flatmates.
What to bring instead: A few utensils—think two forks, knives, and spoons—kept in your room when not in use.
#2 Your Entire Wardrobe
Space in university halls is at a premium, so bringing every item of clothing you own is a recipe for chaos.
What to bring instead: Pack seasonally and only include what you’ll actually wear. Leave heavy winter coats at home if it’s still summer and keep your summer dresses tucked away during colder months. The same goes for shoes—stick to essentials for the current season.
#3 A Printer
While having your own printer may seem convenient, it’s expensive and impractical. Ink and paper costs add up, and it’s unlikely to be more efficient than the university’s industrial-grade printers.
What to do instead: Use the library printers for quick and affordable printing. Set reminders to print your work while on campus to save time.
#4 A Kettle
Good news: if you’re moving into halls, a kettle will almost certainly be provided. If not, it’s easy enough to borrow or share one with flatmates.
What to do instead: Wait until you’re in a shared house to worry about buying kitchen essentials. Check with your accommodation beforehand to avoid duplicates.
#5 All the Kitchen Gadgets
Bulky kitchen equipment like George Foreman grills, cake mixers, and espresso machines might sound appealing but are wildly impractical in tiny university kitchens.
What to do instead: Stick to the basics, like a frying pan and a few utensils. Save the luxury gadgets for when you’ve graduated and have your own space.
#6 Fancy Clothes
While you might have the occasional formal event, most of your time will be spent in comfy, casual clothes—or even your dressing gown on lazy days.
What to bring instead: Pack a couple of versatile formal outfits for special occasions, but leave the ball gowns and tailored suits at home.
#7 Decorative Door Stops
Those tiny decorative doorstops you see in shops? They’re no match for the heavy, industrial doors in most university halls.
What to do instead: Test your door’s weight when you arrive and buy a practical doorstop afterward if needed.
#8 Old School Books
While some courses might reference topics from your previous studies, you won’t need to bring your entire library of high school textbooks.
What to bring instead: Only pack books relevant to your university course. If you’re studying chemistry, for example, leave the English literature novels at home.
#9 An Iron
The idea of keeping your clothes perfectly pressed might sound great now, but once university life begins, ironing will likely become a distant memory.
What to do instead: Use tricks like hanging clothes in a steamy bathroom or using hair straighteners on collars to keep things crease-free without the hassle of an iron.
#10 Your Entire Reading List
It’s tempting to buy every book on your reading list before term begins, but resist the urge. Books are heavy, expensive, and often unnecessary until later in the course.
What to do instead: Wait until you know which books you’ll actually need. Many can be borrowed from the university library or bought second-hand once you’re on campus.
Final Thoughts
Packing for university doesn’t need to be stressful or overwhelming. By avoiding unnecessary items, you’ll save space and make move-in day much smoother. Stick to the essentials, and remember—if you need something later, it’s easy enough to pick it up along the way.
Good luck with your university adventure!
