29 important things everyone forgets to pack for their first year at university

It can be easy to feel trapped in your room when you move in, but pop a door wedge on your door and you'll be able to say hi to your new flatmates as they move in too. And yes, they will be just as scared as you and be so grateful that you're saying hello.

A lot of first-year student halls won't have living rooms, just a straight-up kitchen, so you may have to improvise if you want to hang out as a flat. A great idea is to buy some inexpensive garden cushions like these so your roommates can chill in your room without getting a numb bum. Plus they're waterproof, so no Sourz Apple stains here.

Movie/TV/Netflix night with your new flat is imperative for bonding - we recommend watching Shrek 2 (everybody's happy). Hook your laptop up to a screen with this cheap HDMI cable and you're good to go.

Ok, so one thing you never think to bring until it's too late is fancy dress. Freshers week is full of fancy dress parties/nights out, so you don't want to be caught short. A pair of fairy wings are perfect, you can pair it with any old dress, and they're easy to store under your bed.

You're on a night out and have popped to the big Tesco for pre-drinks. But, oh no, we can't open any bottles! BAM - you casually suggest "Oh, I have a bottle opener keyring", and suddenly you're everyone's favourite person.

Playing cards are a necessity for pre-drinks, and yet they can easily be forgotten. Be the group's saviour and bring some along. Remember, you can have just as much fun sober, don't feel pressure to drink just because it's freshers. Stay true to yourself, folks.

Ok so, student hall kitchens can be... a sight to behold. Unfortunately, not everyone has been taught basic cleanliness growing up, so you might end up with flatmates that chuck their lasagne all over the tiled floor at 3 am and don't clean it up. Sliders are your best friend, and we love these cloud sliders because they're waterproof, so you can also wear them if you have communal bathrooms.

EVERYONE FORGETS SCISSORS. DON'T BE LIKE EVERYONE - BRING SOME DARN SCISSORS.

A student's diet consists mostly of Pot Noodles, biscuits, and canned soups. Get ahead of the curve and buy yourself a tin opener so you can fuel yourself on Heinz.

It won't be until you put your first pizza in your student kitchen oven that you'll realise, "Oh sh*t, we don't have oven gloves". We love this ultra-cute one with dogs.

If you want to actually cook proper meals for yourself (impressive) then meal prepping will be your best friend. These containers are dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe 🙌.

We know you're thinking... "a bowl...really?" But trust us. Having a plastic bowl on hand is surprisingly useful. Want to wash up without using the sink? You're covered. Need a bowl for extra storage? You're covered. Need a chunder bucket after a rough night out? You're covered.

We will never get over the invention of the Dishmatic. If you're using student kitchens, you'll want to have some dish-cleaning equipment for yourself, and there's nothing cooler than a Dishmatic. Are we getting a bit too excited about a dish brush? Perhaps. No regrets ✌️.

We've got some bad news - student hall beds? Yeah... they're not exactly luxury hotel quality to sleep on. Your saving grace will be a mattress topper, so don't forget one. This Silentnight option has toppers for single, small double, double, king and super-king sized mattresses.

Student halls can be noisy at times, and that can be overwhelming if you want a peaceful night's sleep. Earbuds are a must, and we love these ones from EarHub. Sleep well, my friends.

Just like the earbuds, an eyemask is also a great buy if you rely on your beauty sleep. Hall lights outside your room tend to stay on all night (in case a stray student needs to stumble in drunk at 4 am) so if you appreciate the dark, you'll want to grab these.

Save money on heating with a hot water bottle, and never argue about the thermostat again. This cute option from Amazon comes in a bunch of cute patterns and designs.

Because life always throws curveballs, you may arrive at your new room to discover that uni decided to cover the only plug outlet in the room with a massive wardrobe. Extension leads are then needed - especially ones with a surge protector.

One thing a lot of people don't think of to bring with them to uni is a full-length mirror- but boy, oh boy, is it handy. Who only wants to see half of their outfit before a night out?! Warning: you may have a queue outside your room wanting to use it.

Sometimes you'll want to socialise with your new flatmates whilst you eat dinner. And sometimes you'll want to hide away in your room and watch Netflix. Both options are absolutely valid, and having a dinner tray makes it super easy to transfer dishes to and from your room.

You won't have heaps of storage in your Uni room, so making use of vertical spaces is super important. This wall hanger is perfect for hooking over your room door, or ensuite door, and means you can hang up things like coats, bags and towels.

An absolutely unexpected item you'll be glad to have is a snack box. The best part of becoming an adult is eating snacks at midnight, and you can have your own little treasure trove stashed under your bed.

No uni residence would be complete without fairy lights. Whether you hang them in your own room or put some up in communal areas, they make the space far more inviting and homely - and mean you don't have to keep the dreaded overhead light on at night. Overhead lights are a vibe ruiner! From this listing you can choose lights powered by USB, or batteries.

Having a cupboard of first-aid essentials is expected in your family home- so you need to remember to create your own first-aid collection in your new home too. This first aid kit is affordable and has 66 items so you'll never be without something.

Beware: Fresher's Flu is a thing, and it can knock you down hard. However, you can make it much easier on yourself by preparing beforehand with Lemsips and lozenges galore. Our top three picks are:

**Lemsip Max Day and Night Cold and Flu Relief Capsules from Amazon here.

120 Vitamin Energy Boost Effervescent Tablets from Amazon here.

Strepsils Honey and Lemon Lozenges For Sore Throat from Amazon here.**

You'll soon be missing your washing machine at home because laundry at university is a pain in the a*se. Expect to be lugging a bag to and fro from the laundromat in your pyjamas (don't worry, everyone will be doing the same). Make the journeys easier with this rucksack laundry bag (genius?!) that comes with straps so you can hang it on your door.

Ain't nobody got time to pay for drying as well as washing at the student laundromat, so get yourself a clothes horse. Just remember to have your windows open whilst your clothes are hanging to avoid mould and dampness.

We know you're thinking - "What am I, 82 years old?" But trust me, you'll be kicking yourself once you accidentally put a hole in your favourite top and have nothing to fix it with. Engage those secondary school textile skills.

The smell of a room can do so much for ✨atmosphere✨, and lavender is ideal for creating a soothing, relaxing environment in your room. Plus, if you have an ensuite, it means you can hide a certain smell if anyone comes to visit...