The Ultimate University Checklist!

As I will be starting University in September like many my age, now is the time i need to be getting myself ready with all the essentials- being careful not to overspend on the small budget I have.

I thought I'd make a list of the things that you wouldn't necessarily think of- or at least should come in handy when I'm there...

• A Door Wedge- to keep your door open during freshers week to enable a more friendly and inviting atmosphere. It'll ensure you'll make friends more easily, especially with your flatmates.
• Personal Item Insurance- Breaking or losing a phone, laptop or electrical cannot be replaced on a student budget; so insurance is a cost-friendly way to keep your valuables by your side through your uni years.
• Food Containers- Cooking on a budget can be hard! Make things in quantity and then freeze what you have left over for easy meals for upcoming evenings! Be careful not to take too much room in the freezer up though!
• Mattress Protector- Do you really want to be lying on the same mattress as all the students before you? No, thought not. A mattress cover gives you that...extra reassurance.
• Room Photos- Photographs of friends and family can help to make your room more homely and also add a little decoration to your new room.
• Multi-Plug Extension- This is a lifesaver for someone with a lot of appliances! It will allow you to plug more things in at once so you're not swapping over appliances and getting wires tangled.
• Tray- A tray will help if you ever fancy eating in your room or you've got hoards of cups, plates and cutlery lounging round in your room that you'll need to take back- preferably in one run!
• Railcard- A Student 16-25 Railcard will save you tonnes of money over the months of travelling being a student, particularly if you are located in a city or plan to commute home regularly.
• Laundry bag-A big laundry bag (IKEA style) will help you cart all of your dirty (and occasionally clean) laundry to and from the washing and drying machines with a little more ease.
• Clothes Horse- If you want to save a little money from the drying machines then invest in a clothes horse for your room to dry your clothes instead.
• Berocca- For all those mornings after when the hangovers are a little to harsh to bare. This vitamin concoction should have you up on your feet in no time!
• Storage Boxes- Making those extra things such as DVDs, extra quilts, Evening shoes and winter PJs a little easier to store in your room. They can also be used as transferring boxes at the start and end of the year to move your things.
• Ear Plugs- You're bound to need them at some point, whether you've got an exam the next day and its shouting at 4am or you just want to catch up with some shut-eye.
• Fancy dress- You never know when you'll be asked to dress as something ridiculous, so take some items down to save yourself some money whilst you're there!
• Pack of cards- This is a great way to socialise, particularly at the start of the year to get to know people when playing drinking games.
• Spare passport photos- You might need these for gym passes or during enrolling for your personal identity cards.
• Bottle opener- Something you'd definitely forget but definitely need.
• Desktop mirror- Just in case you don't have a close-up mirror in your room (providing you're a girl) you'll certainly need one to apply your evening make up.
• Coat hangers- These usually aren't provided, and its something almost everyone forgets.