# What to pack for university

**Source**: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/new-students/before-you-arrive/what-to-pack
**Parent**: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas

Find out what you need to pack before you start at Sussex and what you can order online in advance.

## Essential items

There are a few essential things you’ll need to bring to Sussex with you.

### Clothes

The weather in the south of England can be unpredictable so pack a range of clothes.

Bring:

- pyjamas or night clothes
- dressing gown
- slippers or flip-flops for indoors
- everyday clothes
- warm clothes for winter
- waterproof jacket
- sports clothes or activewear, if you want to join a club or society
- a backpack or day bag for your books and laptop.

**Tip:** You can wash your clothes at the [campus launderette](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/estates/services/launderette). There are also smaller self-service launderettes within Lewes Court, Stanmer Court and Northfield for campus residents.

### Cutlery and crockery

You can bring your own kitchen items with you.

Pack a:

- mug or cup
- glass
- set of cutlery – knife, spoon, fork, etc
- bowl and plate
- tea towel
- saucepan
- frying pan
- wooden spoon
- peeler.

If you cannot bring these things, or you’re travelling a long way, you can [buy some of them from a supermarket](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/new-students/settling-in/shop-and-eat).

You might want to share some things with your new flatmates, such as a chopping board or tin opener, rather than bringing them with you.

**Tip:** Put your mugs and breakables on top of your belongings. This helps protect them – plus you can easily make a drink when you unpack.

### Bathroom products

You can get toiletries and hygiene items from [shops in town and on campus](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/new-students/settling-in/shop-and-eat).

Avoid bringing more than the basics with you (unless you really want to) as they take up room and weight in your luggage.

### Study items

The exact things you’ll need (such as books and stationery) will depend on your course. But you might want to consider:

- an extension lead, in case plug sockets are difficult to reach
- USB sticks to store work
- a portable hard drive, so you can back-up your laptop
- an ethernet cable, to connect your laptop to a router and get a solid internet connection
- a pack of your favourite pens, if you’ll be taking lots of notes
- a diary or personal organiser, with important contact details inside it in case you lose your phone.

Once you’re settled, you may want a desk lamp, different sized notepads and other stationery. You can buy these locally, rather than bringing them with you.

If you’ve forgotten a plug adaptor or phone charger you can get these from the Students’ Union shop.

### Bedding

You will need a duvet, sheets, pillows and pillowcases. Most beds are single-sized, but some beds are a bit larger. Check your Residence Handbook to make sure your bedding will fit.

If you’re travelling from abroad, you can buy a bedding pack to save space. [East Slope bedding packs](https://onlineshop.sussex.ac.uk/product-catalogue/accommodation/essential-items/bedding-pack-for-east-slope-only "https://onlineshop.sussex.ac.uk/product-catalogue/accommodation/essential-items/bedding-pack-for-east-slope-only") are for UK small double beds and [all other residence bedding packs](https://onlineshop.sussex.ac.uk/product-catalogue/accommodation/essential-items/bedding-pack-excluding-east-slope "https://onlineshop.sussex.ac.uk/product-catalogue/accommodation/essential-items/bedding-pack-excluding-east-slope") are for UK singles.

For a full breakdown of what to bring, refer to your Residence Handbook.

If you’re [studying on a visa](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas), remember to bring your essential documents.

You might also want to take out insurance for travel and personal belongings.

### Medication

If you require medication which needs a prescription, make sure you pack what you need so you have enough to last until you have [registered with a doctor](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/new-students/when-you-arrive/register-for-healthcare).

If you’re travelling from overseas, keep all medication in its original packaging as airport staff might want to see it. [Read about what to do if you think you’re bringing medication to the UK that contains controlled drugs](https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs).

#### Drugs

The University does not tolerate the use, possession or selling of illegal drugs on the campus, or in off-campus University-managed accommodation.

You can [read our drugs policy](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/wellbeing/misuse/policy) and find out about [the risks to health of substance misuse](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/wellbeing/misuse).

[See more from Before you arrive](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/new-students/before-you-arrive)