The transition to university is one of the biggest and best changes you’ll ever experience, and for many, it will be their first time living away from home. It arrives as a magnificent whirlwind of preparation: shopping lists, IKEA trips and frantic last minute dashes to pick up whatever you’ve missed. Amid all that excitement and chaos, it’s inevitable you’ll forget a few things, so here’s a few common contenders.

Formal Wear

Packing your clothes for university is fun. It’s a chance to expand and refresh your wardrobe, experiment with new outfits and buy lots of underwear to delay the dreaded laundry trip. But with all the focus on everyday clothes and fresher’s gear, formal wear tends to slip the mind. University is full of events that call for something smarter than a t-shirt. There are society events, winter formals, the York races, dinners out and maybe even the occasional interview. You don’t need to bring a whole rail of blazers; one versatile outfit will do. Just pack it carefully so it survives the journey without too much creasing!

Room Décor

Of course, room décor is something everyone thinks about. But there are a few small touches to consider that can really make your space feel like home. Since moving to university, I’ve picked up a few odd bits that make everything so much cosier: a few plants (fake ones if you’ll forget to water them like me!), a small rug, fairy lights, a reed diffuser and pins for your corkboard. Choosing décor that reflects your personality makes your room feel comfortable and is great at reducing homesickness. Try and stick to lightweight options that are easy to move around.

My fox rug in my bedroom.

Storage Organisers

Accommodation at York often comes with plenty of storage, but it isn’t always arranged in the most practical way. I live in Anne Lister, and there’s a generous space under the bed, but it’s just one big compartment. I had to buy a few smaller containers to tidy things up. Drawer divers, desk organisers, a small freestanding shelving unit, a comfy mattress topper and a couple of boxes for loose items like stationery or cleaning supplies can make a big difference. Keeping everything organised saves time, reduces clutter and makes your room feel so much more comfortable. There are greater low budget options too; if it’s out of sight, even a simple cardboard box can do the trick.

A Good Water Bottle

At York, it feels like everyone has a water bottle that’s basically an extension of their personality; even most of your lecturers will tote around a trusty flask! In my flat, everyone drinks so much water I was practically peer pressured into upping my own intake, which was definitely for the best. Bringing a good quality bottle of your own makes it easy to stay hydrated, reduces single use waste (and saves money), and is so much easier on long campus days. Make sure you get one with good insulation, a sturdy, leakproof lid and a convenient size that you can slip in your bag. There’s plenty of water stations to keep you topped up throughout the day, too.

My massive water bottle I bought shortly after moving in!

Board and Card Games

No pub trip would truly be complete without a few rounds of cards in the beer garden, and by reading week, my flat was on the hunt for new games to play, whether that was for predrinks or quiet nights in. There’s a lot of options out there—the classics like Uno or Dobble are best—but don’t be afraid to branch out! Pulling out a deck is the easiest way to break the ice with your flat during freshers, and if everyone’s patient enough, you might even risk bringing Monopoly!

Some of my flat’s board and card game collection.

In Conclusion…

The little things you forget can make a surprisingly big difference once you settle in and having them from day one makes everything smoother and helps you get organised faster so you can focus on adjusting to university life. There’s plenty of packing lists out there and tips on what to bring, but you should have a good think about your comforts at home and how you can take them to university with you. Everyone forgets things, and it’s part of the experience, so try not to stress too much. Just don’t be like me and forget something as essential as a can opener!