Uni Life

10 Things To Buy In Preparation For Halls

Preparation for halls requires a checklist. There are a good number of things you are going to need to buy and there’s plenty that you are going to forget. This list provides expected and unexpected necessities to buy in preparation for halls. Things you know you need and things you may not have thought of.

1. Portable Heater

Nobody told me that I should get a heater in preparation for halls and I regretted it the moment winter hit. If your accommodation is anything like mine, the insulation is not great and the wind will be blowing from the window (yes, closed window) right onto your sinuses as you sleep. Not great for chronic sinusitis.

I’ve used this heater every winter and it’s proved a great purchase. It’s something I always recommend to every fresher in preparation for halls.

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2. Pen Pot

This is something I forgot. In preparation for halls, you always focus on the big things and that could result in you forgetting about the little things. Such as a pen pot. It’s university, you probably use pens. I write by hand and colour-code some of my notes so this was and important thing to have on my desk. Keep the little things in mind when you are writing your shopping list in preparation for halls. 

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3. Desk Lamp

In preparation for halls it’s important to keep in mind that there might not be a convenient light near the bed. There is usually some kind of lighting around the desk area, but if you like reading in bed, it’s not going to be pleasant. I would recommend you add an LED lamp to your preparation for halls list. I am really happy with the one I bought and recently learned that it has been recommended by other creatives, as well. I can say with certainty that it’s a great reading lamp. I’ve heard that it’s great for drawing in low-light conditions, as well.

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4. Duvet

This is the first thing people buy in preparation for halls, right? One of the first, at least. This is basically just a reminder to get one and if you are struggling you can take a look at the recommendation bellow. Though IKEA also has some good offers. I propose you buy a good duvet now so you don’t have to worry about changing it in the next few years.

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5. Pillow

Get a nice pillow! Preparation for halls may be hasty and it’s easy to buy the first thing you see or maybe the cheapest thing you come across. I really regret not picking out a good pillow my first year of uni. On top of the constant parties that are blasting somewhere in halls and the random skateboarder at  3 a.m, having an uncomfortable pillow makes sleeping even harder. Get yourself a nice comfy pillow that you will love sleeping on. This suggestion from IKEA is a soft, easy-care pillow made from recycled materials. It’s only one of the many options they have so take a look.

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6. Toiletries

Flossing is important. So in preparation for halls, don’t forget to check all the essentials. Consider getting a 10 pack of bamboo toothbrushes so you don’t have to worry about buying one in a few months. I’m sure you won’t forget your toothbrush and toothpaste. You might forget floss, though. Or not consider getting a zero waste natural floss that will last you ages and can simply be refilled when it finishes.

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See Also

7. Hair Dryer

Don’t forget to get a hair dryer in preparation for halls. I bought a very simple, cheap and efficient hair dryer that does a great job.

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8. Iron

I know that nobody likes ironing. But preparation for halls means also preparation for adulting. So you’ll need to iron at least some clothes. Probably not a big amount though, so this basic, cheap iron from Asda will do.

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9. External DVD drive

If you need to watch films for uni you are probably going to need a DVD player. It is a good thing to have. Especially since your uni may have a collection of interesting DVDs to explore. It comes is quite handy.

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10. Knife Sharpener

You won’t think of knife sharpener when you think preparation for halls. But buying knives is not enough, you’ll need to maintain them and a knife sharpener is something you might forget to add to your list.

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What is your preparation for halls list? Share in the comments.

Featured Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/l4BrIn6JWBY
Gery Galabova

Currently going into her final year of English and Creative Writing at Goldsmiths, University of London. Gery has been writing in a personal blog since 2014 and has been published in publications StudentVoices and FictionHub on Medium. She debuted her first play 'Liminality' at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and is already planning her next project.

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