Grace Clift runs through the top 10 tips to remember when preparing to go to university.
It’s almost time for university to start up again, and that means that most young adults, and many others, are in the midst of packing. It can be a chaotic (and expensive) time, but with the right techniques, it doesn’t need to tax the planet or your wallet. Here’s ten tips for making your university packing experience easy, economical and eco-friendly.
Credit: Michal Balog, Unsplash
1) Think before you buy
Do you need everything the internet tells you? There’s a lot of things that the internet insists are a must-have for going to university. New clothes, lots of kitchen equipment, a new planner. These things are fun to buy, but will ultimately just be more clutter in limited space. Plus, you might already have all of the things you need – spend a few days thinking about whether you need something before you buy it.
2) Double the purpose
Fragile items like plates and glasses are often wrapped in bubble wrap, but it’s not the only way. Instead of collecting up lots of bubble wrap that you don’t need, you can wrap your fragile items in clothing. Socks are good to store small things like figurines, and plates can be wrapped in t-shirts. This will mean less wastage, and less wasted space.
3) Focus on the future
You don’t just want to be eco-friendly on the journey – you’re also preparing for the rest of the year. Pack to avoid using single use plastics – Kind Bags are great for shopping if you don’t already have reusable bags. Tupperware, metal flasks and reusable sandwich bags are all important to bring for packing your own lunches, which will not only be good for the environment, but also save you lots of money in the long run.
4) Train your brain
Moving to university is a time of change, to discover who you want to be. You can find new hobbies, new principles and new friend groups. With the shift to university, you have the opportunity to redefine your relationship with consumption. Having a capsule wardrobe – a small, non-excessive and rarely expanded collection of clothes – is a great way to train your brain into valuing quality over quantity.
Credit: Annie Spratt, Unsplash
5) Choose your shops carefully
You are inevitably going to have to buy some things to prepare for living in a new space. Second hand shops provide more than people expect – kitchenware and electronics aren’t difficult to find – and for specific items, check eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Vinted before you turn to the chains. Some universities have specific campaigns for redistributing used items; the University of Sheffield has redistributed over 7500 pieces of crockery since 2021 to new students.
6) Research before you leave
If you’re reading this article, you’ve already got this one in the bag. Everyone forgets things when they move house, and this results in buying things you could’ve just brought with you. It happens to us all, and the best way to avoid it is researching university packing lists before you go. Ask around in your local area for things other university students forgot, and you’ll minimise the amount you have to buy.
7) Ready to recycle?
This tip’s just a quick one, and costs very little. See if you have food bins at your university – if you do, you’ll need to grab some small compostable bin liners to put inside them. These can also be helpful in your room, to split up your own personal rubbish into recyclable and non-recyclable. Plus, have a look at the recycling rules in your area, as the rules on what you can put in each bin tend to change.
8) Prepare for your area
Check out what’s in your area that can help you be more eco-friendly. The University of York, for example, has an on-campus refill food shop, with donated containers for those who don’t have their own. If you have one of these in your area, think about what containers would be useful to bring.
9) Cosy up for the winter
Nobody is saying to never use indoor heating, but bringing thick blankets and thermal layers can save money and the environment. Radiators release carbon emissions and are often inefficiently used. For more on the impact of house heating, click here. If you’re interested in what type of heating your university accommodation uses, check out their website, or contact your college/area representative.
10) Share the love
Finally, ask what your flatmates are bringing! There’s no point lugging an iron to a house that already has three others, and people are often willing to share. Home electronics can be heavy and expensive, so if you’ve already spoken to your flatmates and get along well, there’s no harm in politely asking. Offer up something of yours to share in return, and you’ll both have to buy less!
By using these tips, you can stick to your principles even during a stressful time, and hopefully ease the burden on yourself, your finances and the planet. Plus, there’s loads of ways to get involved in protecting the planet when you get to university – consider joining a society, attending a protest or writing for us! University is an exciting time to learn more about yourself and your surroundings, and I’m sure you’ll find it to be a brilliant experience.
Congratulations on getting in, and happy packing!
About the Author: Grace Clift is an English Literature student at the University of York with particular interest in UK politics, climate issues and the arts. Grace can be contacted via her email, gracevclift@gmail.com, or through Instagram@gracevclift.
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