Let’s get you ready for your higher education life in student housing.

Are you a student starting your journey towards higher education soon? Or are you a parent worried about what your child needs when they go to university?

There are various things that a student will need in this day and age without breaking the bank to have them. Here are 7 things that you will need going into university!

#1: Bed Linen, Pillow, and Blanket

That’s right. Sleep is the most important in university – coming from a former student. Invest in at least 2 set of bed sheets and pillow cases so you can rotate them to wash. Having your own pillow and blanket are also a must. They will last for the entirety of your 4 years in university or possibly past that too.

There are a couple of places that you buy all of these from, whether from your local pasar, online, or departmental stores. Another option would be to buy them used from a second hand store, where they usually go for much cheaper than new ones. Just make sure that they are thoroughly washed before you use them.

Some tips:

  • Patterns help you hide stains while plain ones look effortlessly classy.
  • Natural fibers are cooler than synthetic fibers.
  • The higher the thread count, the nicer they feel.
  • Wash your bed linen and blanket regularly to keep your room smelling good and your skin will be clear too.
  • Fitted sheets (bedsheet with elastic) are an easier option for beginners than flat sheets.
  • Single = twin. Both terms refer to the same size.
  • Super single is wider than single.

#2: Multi-Cooker

This might be the most important thing that you should get, especially if you are living on campus. An electric multi-cooker is a life-saver as it enables you to cook like a chef without being one. It can stir-fry, deep fry, steam, boil, make rice, simmer, and many others more.

A multi-cooker is also a pocket saver is you won’t need to buy individual kitchenware such as a wok, steamer, rice cooker, deep fryer and others. Even better, you don’t need to buy a cooking gas tong, as most multi-cookers use electricity. Sizes and prices vary, with some as low as RM20 online. As a student, go with something small just nice to accommodate 1-2 meals. Remember to also buy yourself a spatula and a ladle.

Some easy meals to start your cooking adventures, include:

  • White rice
  • Fried egg
  • Chicken porridge
  • Noodle soup
  • Fried rice
  • Stir fry vegetables

#3: Cutlery & Crockery

You are going to need these to eat with, especially if you are cooking, but also great for takeaway food and drinks. Containers for takeaway will save you money too at food stalls too and they will be convenient for you to store leftovers.

  • Fork & spoon
  • Plates
  • Bowls
  • Cups
  • Food containers

You could start with a single set of everything. If you have space for entertaining, get a few more sets for when friends and family visit.

They don’t have to be new. A second hand store normally contains all these items and you can buy them at very affordable prices. Better yet, you can even buy them off a senior that is graduating soon.

Typically, every university will have a community group (whether Facebook or WhatsApp) that are giving away or selling their things that they want to get rid of. Tap onto these networks and group to reduce the cost of buying your essential items.

#4: Laundry Bag

Ah yes, laundry. Your stinky clothes will need to be washed and you wouldn’t want your clothes dropping all over the place as you go to and from the laundromat.

A spacious, sturdy, foldable laundry bag can last your entire student life. One that has a strap so you can conveniently sling it is preferable. If not, you will be dragging your laundry all the way through the floor to the laundromat.

You can also buy a laundry basket instead, but they are usually a bit more heavy and eats up space.

#5: Storage Containers

You will probably we living with others so you will need to be tidy and organized. The smaller the space (such as in dormitories), the more careful you must be to not invade your roommates’ space. Get a suitable amount of storage to stow away your belongings.

Storage containers can be cardboard boxes, plastic crates, or even fabric boxes. Plastic ones are bulky and not environmentally friendly. Foldable ones are nice since they can be neatly put away if you don’t need them.

Label your containers by writing on a piece of tape then sticking the tape on. If you re-arrange your stuff, you can easily replace the tape.

Cutting down on the number of belongings will help you have better control over your organization. Having less belongings and sufficient storage containers will also come in handy when it’s time to move out of your student housing.

#6: Extension Cable

Do not underestimate the simple extension cable. It could dramatically improve your productivity in university in ways that you did not imagine it to be.

Nowadays, you need power for your laptop, phone, table fan, mosquito coil (no joke, there are quite a lot of mosquitoes in dormitories), and many other electronic devices. If you do not have an extension cable, you will constantly be spending time plugging in and out all your electrical devices and appliances.

10 seconds wasted on plugging in, could magnify to about 1o minutes a day just doing that. Times that by 365 days, you will be wasting 61 hours a year. Take note to invest in an extension cable that can handle high power usage, as not doing so could result in the damage to some of your appliances.

#7: Laptop

This is last on the list as a laptop is inherently an expensive item to buy for anyone. However, it is becoming more essential for today’s students as almost all lecture notes, assignments and exams are given online.

A laptop in university is basically for you to be able to do your work. Hence, you do not need a laptop that cost RM5,000 or more. You are probably only using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint in all your coursework and assignment.

Invest in older models that are on steep discounts. Sometimes, they go for RM300, which is an affordable investment to have. Look out for these discounts on e-commerce sites or stores that are clearing their stocks.

Conclusion

Your journey into university is an important one. It determines the final point of a student’s entry into the job market, and it’s important that it starts off strong and comfortable and ends that way too. Understanding that you need these essential items in university enables you to focus on the bigger picture of excelling in your studies and make new connections and memories.

 

Let us know in the comments below what other items are important!

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