Six things you can’t live without as an incoming fresher in Nottingham

Amongst the chaos of packing for uni its easy to forget some things, I know people who have just forgotten a phone charger to their childhood teddy which is not so easy a fix.

However, there are some essentials that everyone needs as a fresher, so whether you’re a first year or just doing a restock for final year here are six things that you have to get a hold of for the days and years ahead.

1. Snacks

If you are in catered accommodation Snacks are a MUST. Without access to a real kitchen, you will learn to rely on the communal microwave and kettle fast.

Cereal with long life milk and Pot Noodles are a must have for any fresher in catered accommodation. Because whether you just want a late-night snack or you’ve slept in and missed breakfast again, these snacks will keep you kicking. These are great to have even if you’re self-catered as making every meal from scratch can sometimes become tedious.

2. Medicine

How to self-medicate Freshers’ Flu (because the health centre waitlist is always longer than you want it to be).

As a fresher you will probably contract some form of the Freshers’ Flu, whether it’s a runny nose, chesty cough, fatigue, or all three, these three things will get you through.

• Cold and flu tablets – super cheap to grab from any supermarket or pharmacy, these tablets will help to get you back on your feet sooner and will waft the worst of your sickness onwards.

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• Broncho Stop – this will save you from the non-stopping coughing of bronchitis, so you can sit through your lectures without repressing a tickling cough and avoid being that person sputtering in the club.
• This should go without saying, but amongst the chaos and fun of Freshers’ Week it is easy to forget to sleep enough, stay hydrated and stay well fed. Remembering that you are only human and allowing yourself to rest and refuel is the best way to treat Freshers’ Flu.

3. A laundry rack

Your accom’s laundry will let you down with its lousy dryers, that don’t always dry your clothes whilst eating into your pocket money, so best come prepared with a laundry rack.

The perk of which owning is that your room will smell like fresh laundry rather than last nights takeout which can also be helped by a nice diffuser or air freshener.

4. Underwear

Now I know this goes without saying but what I mean is, you need plenty of it. Doing your own laundry in first year is a tedious task that is rather time and effort consuming. By owning a large surplus of socks and pants, you’re at least able to go longer stretches without having to make a trip to the washing machine.

5.  Bathroom essentials

A shower caddy – essentially a plastic basket to carry all your shower stuff to the bathroom in if you are in a shared bathroom, without this you will be juggling your possessions down the hallway.

Flip flops – it’s all fun and games until its foot fungus. Wearing flip flops in the shower just gives you a much better chance of not getting an unpleasant foot disease.

6. Noise cancelling headphones and earplugs

Good luck getting any sleep in first year, if you’re not busy, I guarantee your neighbours probably will be, or your flat mates will decide to play cricket in the corridor. Either way if you’re planning on getting some sleep and need some peace and quiet, get yourself some earplugs because the walls are as thin as paper and you may hear some things you really don’t want to.

Related articles recommended by this author:

• Here are all the best ways to beat homesickness as a Nottingham student
• The seven types of flatmates you’ll encounter in halls as a Notts fresher 
• We’re recruiting new writers! Here’s why you should join The Tab Nottingham’s team