student survival kit

Scuseme Student Survival Kit

13 essentials for your student survival kit

Heading off to university is both exciting and emotional for student and parents alike.  But are you prepared? Fear not, with our scuseme student survival kit, you’ll be prepared for any eventuality.

Whether you’re in student halls or sharing a house, here are some great things you never knew you needed.

  1. First aid kit

Just enough to take care of minor cuts and sports injuries plus pack some things for the inevitable Freshers’ Flu.

  1. Mini sewing kit 

You’re not always going to be able to afford new clothes now that you’re a student, so having a sewing kit handy for when you lose a button on your coat or tear a hole in the crotch of your jeans during freshers’ week is a good shout. Get acquainted with a needle and thread before you leave home.

  1. Extension cable 

Essential because students nowadays have an endless number of gadgets and there are never enough plugs in student accommodation.

  1. Tool kit

Just a really simple collection of items for basic DIY jobs, such as multi-bit screwdriver, tape measure, pliers and scotch tape.

  1. Smoke alarm

Buy a smoke alarm and perhaps a carbon monoxide alarm if your child is in a shared house.  Landlords should take responsibility for this but if you are worried you can get a free fire home safety check, such as the one that Cambridge Fire & Rescue Service.  Most fire services offer this just contact your nearest one to see if you are entitled to a free check.

  1. Spare batteries

Because not everything gets charged via a USB.

  1. Ear plugs

Halls can be lively places, which can make it hard to get some rest; ear plugs will help.

  1. Labels

You will to have to share cupboards etc so labels will come in handy to identify belonging and avoid arguments.

  1. External hard drive and USBs

Make sure you have an external hard drive to back up important work (picture your third-year dissertation going up in a puff of cybersmoke), and get a couple of USB sticks to have in your pencil case, on your key ring, navel piercing etc etc.

  1. Loose change for launderettes

Accommodation has certainly been updated since my student days, but I am reliably informed by my son, that there is still a huge reliance on launderettes.

  1. Sharing household bills

There are some technological advances that are SO valuable and www.splitthebill.co.uk is a godsend. Split the bill is  an app that takes all the fuss out of sharing student and household bills.

  1. Mini bike tool kit

If you are planning to have a bike this kit will save you money and time. Make sure have the basic skills to fix a puncture and keep your bike running smoothly.

  1. Let them eat cake

Make a huge cake or get a big box of chocolates for your child to take to university. It gives an excuse to knock on everyone’s door and invite everyone for a tasty treat. It’s a great way to break the ice.  Or of course you can share the vodka.

Dawn Giesler, is the founder of Scuseme Cambridge, a recommendation website that helps your family run smoothly. She has lived in Cambridge for over 20 years and offers advise based on her own experiences. For more information please visit: scuseme

 

 

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