Headed for Lancaster?
Our students reveal the 15 most useful things they brought with them to university.
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First, you’ll need the essentials for study...
1. A laptop
It contains all my lecture slides, revision, coursework, emails etc, as well as being able to store photos from Welcome Week and keep in contact with my housemates and friends. My life is centred around my laptop, I couldn’t live without it!
Tabby Madni, Grizedale College - Natural Sciences
2. A USB stick
My laptop broke in first year and I nearly lost all of my work. Since then I have always backed up my work onto a USB stick!
Lucy Minns, Fylde College - Criminology
3. A phone
The iLancaster app was a lifesaver, and helped me find my way around campus and to events and lectures when I was lost.
Jay Balamurugan, County College - Biological Sciences
Enough to get by in the kitchen...
4. A good frying pan
It’s quite the stereotype but I am certainly no chef, and having a good non-stick for doing a big easy stir fry is a good help while you gradually become more confident in your cooking ability.
James Mensforth, Furness College - Mechanical Engineering
5. Distinctive knives and forks
This may seem strange, but if it’s obvious which ones are yours it’s hard to lose them!
Frances Staples, Pendle College - Physics
6. Flavours from home
Honestly I can get almost anything here at Lancaster, however I would say that spices from your home country are really useful because you can make your traditional food more easily.
Duy Van Vu, Graduate College - Applied Linguistics and TESOL
7. Cakes galore!
I was the only person to bring any baking equipment and back home I was used to spontaneous baking, so it allowed me to take time out from work and have some fun!
Susanna Libby, Furness College - Biological Sciences
Some decorations and memories from home...
8. Pictures and posters
Photos of friends and family or posters to put up in your room are great for making you feel more at home.
Alison Hulme, Bowland College - History
9. Cushions and colours
Some soft furnishings and colourful storage boxes made a massive difference to my room, instantly adding a pop of colour as well as extra storage space. They made the room feel more like home and the extra touch of some fairy lights finished it all off nicely to give the space a cosy feel.
Jennifer Jones, Pendle College - Religious Studies
10. Extension cables
An extension cable always comes in handy! Especially in second year when you’re living in town.
Sarah Hubbard, County College - Law
For Welcome Week, it's the little things...
11. Games
Playing cards were especially useful in Welcome Week for bringing everyone together! Games like Jenga or Twister are also great things to bring along. Anything that can help you bond and have fun with flatmates is a great idea.
Jessica Kemmish, Bowland College - History
12. Nibbles
Cake and biscuits on move in day! Everyone sat in our kitchen on the first day and had snacks and tea and got to know each other.
Isobel Lynch, County College - French and Spanish
13. A doorstop
This was especially useful during Welcome Week as it allowed me to wedge my bedroom door open and get to know everyone, and nobody felt awkward about popping their head around my door and introducing themselves as they arrived.
Isabelle Holmes, County College - Marketing
But above all, our students say it’s about bringing the right mind set.
14. Positivity
The most useful thing I brought was a positive attitude, confidence, and desire to get involved as much as I can and to meet as many people as possible.
Niall West, Lonsdale College - Law
15. Openness
I guess my openness and intrigue. It’s important to be an accepting and open person at university, who is ready to push the boundaries and try new things. But in terms of tangible objects, probably my computer!
Tim Partington, Bowland College - Management, Politics and International Relations
Looking forward to seeing you at Lancaster!
Questions about your application? Take a look at our helpful Admissions information, or feel free to get in touch on ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk or 01524 592 028.
