They were once a tiny baby, then a troublesome toddler.
You sent them off to their first day of school with a tear in your eye and what feels like only five minutes later, they’re now preparing to leave home.
How did this happen? How did your adorable little mini me become a fully grown adult?
As incredible as it is, it’s time to start getting them ready for their new life as a student, fending for themselves.
Starting university is daunting so help make the transition as smoothly as possible by getting all their new semester must-haves sorted now.
Whether they’ll be in halls of residence or renting a room in a flat, there’s a lot they’re going to need.
From pots and pans to rugs and technology, start making a list and ticking items off now, so you don’t end up in a mad rush at the end of September…
Bedroom
Their bedroom will be pretty sparse and will probably only come with a bed and a bedside table (if you’re lucky). So take steps to make it a bit more welcoming and a haven for them to retreat to after a hard day in the library. So consider buying…
A duvet and pillows
New bedding
L-R: Check Duvet Cover and pillow set (from £10) and Velvet Cushion (£6) at Matalan
A desk lamp
Laundry basket
Bin
Throws and cushions
L-R: Rope Laundry Basket (£18) and Small LED Light Up Box (£4) at Matalan
Fun lighting
Picture frames for photos of family
Coat hangers
A mirror
Decorative accessories
L-R: 4 Pack PVC Coated Hangers (£2.25) and Smiling Face Potted Plant (£8) at Matalan
Kitchen
With any luck (or after some supreme parenting) your teenager will have a few staple recipes up their sleeves. If not, then now is the time for them to try their hand in the kitchen of their new halls or student flat.
It probably won’t have much in the way of appliances so you may want to add a small kettle or toaster to the list below, but as long as they have the basics needed to cook up noodles, stir fry, pizza and pasta (all student classics), they should be fine. So add the below to your list…
Spatulas and wooden spoons
Mugs
Glasses
L-R: 4 Pack Kitchen Utensils (£4) and 4 Pack Side Plates (was £10 now £7.50) at Matalan
Plates (main and side)
Bowls
Cutlery
Reusable food containers
Bottle opener
L-R: Food Storage Box (£2) and French Bulldog Print Mug (was £3 now £1.80) at Matalan
Tin opener
Pans – minimum of one saucepan and one frying pan
Baking trays
Tea towels
Vegetable peeler
Cheese grater
Pizza cutter
Matalan Silicone Pizza Wheel (£2)
Bathroom
They’ve been making a mess of your family bathroom for the last 18 years and now it’s time for them to make a mess of the communal student bathroom instead… That’s one benefit of them moving out.
They may not be able to stake too much of a claim to space in the bathroom but they’ll still need a few bits and pieces that are clearly ‘theirs’ so they don’t get used by all. Add the below to your shopping list…
Toothbrushes
Multiple packs of toothpaste
Soap
Shower gel
Shampoo and conditioner
Towels
Toothbrush holder
Razors
A month’s worth of their preferred cleanser and moisturiser to get them going
L-R: Egyptian Cotton Towels (from £5) and Bamboo Trim Toothbrush Tidy (£8) at Matalan
Clothes
They will, of course, want to pack all their favourite clothes and will probably only leave a few things at home. But double check the list below to make sure they’ve got everything they could possibly need…
A variety of nightwear
Sports kit
Sports equipment
Warm layers
A winter coat
Trainers
Smarter clothes for formal occasions or job interviews
Plenty of underwear
Comfortable items to study in
L-R: Women’s Colour Block Hoodie (£16) and Women’s High Shine Padded Coat (£35) at Matalan
L-R: Men’s Pull on Hoodie (£12.50) and Men’s Camo Hooded Puffer Jacket (£25) at Matalan
Other essentials
Get them ready for the big move into student accommodation and a life away from home…
The list of things they need to take with them seems endless but as well as all the household items and clothes, there are lots of slightly more miscellaneous (but just as important) items you should take into account. Check out just a few here…
Important documents regarding their courses, accommodation and finances
Batteries
Technology – laptop, phone, adapter, chargers, printer
Speaker
Television
Stationery – folders, paper, pens, any specialist equipment required for their studies
Extension leads
Umbrella
Backpack / sports kit bag