What to take to university?

It really  all depends on your comfort and financial situation. The pro of US dorm life is that you get more social opportunity, especially in those crucial first few months when the freshman class is sorting itself out. You’re closer to your classes, so less transition times and the structure is pretty simple— you take care of your side of the room, extracurriculars, and whatever jobs you might have. The con is it can be really hard as an autistic individual to get enough sleep, find a clean space, have any privacy whatsoever, find safe foods, etc. having lived on dorm for close to 7 years now, folks don’t tend to respect quiet hours or other people’s spaces.

so, it’s up to you. If you move in, bring all your essentials for daily life, especially stuff that makes you comfortable and safe. Blankets, familiar soaps, nonperishable safe foods, and MOST IMPORTANTLY: a good pair of ear plugs, noise cancelling headphones, and an eye mask. Oh, and shower shoes. Don’t get the foot fungus

Best of luck

FrozenHeart said:

Just I don’t know how to use the bus

Maybe start with that. Learn to use the bus. Maybe have someone go with you the first time. If you know you can escape at any time to your own room at home in just 45 minutes, it will take a lot of the pressure off. (Forgot your pillow? Just pop home and get it. Might even catch a nice dinner while you're there!)

My daughter started uni/college last year and we did a couple of trial runs on the train with her a few weekends before she started. She's an expert on public transport now.

This webpage is not too stylised in its layout - so it might be easy to print and use as a packing list prompt:

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/apply-to-college/after-youve-applied/off-to-college-checklist

Best wishes for your new adventure at college!

Great list!

I would include a portable power bank for your phone.

Make sure your laptop has about 8 hours of battery life as some days you need it a lot and charging points are rarely convenient, plus it helps not to have to carry a laptop charger.

Insurance to cover your stuff from theft or damage. Best to shop about as prices vary and with all those clumsy students about then the chances of getting a coffee or beer spilled on your laptop / phone / tablet are high.

Any drugs that help - i.e. stuff for headaches, allergies, decongestion, cold remedies, losenges for a sore throat etc. It can be good to get these before you go as you can often get your parents to get these for you and save you money ;)

For cash, try to have it rationed to avoid spending it too soon. I found the temptations of freshers week (the first week of uni) were significant and I spent a lot on food and drink when I really needed to make it last longer.

I am dreading it but the private rooms cost way more so…not really an option

But I currently live 45min away from the school and the buses here are free so if it truly is terrible then I could just bus to school everyday (my classes are in the middle of day so it won’t be too early or late. Just I don’t know how to use the bus and also it’d be tedious)

Make sure your hygiene bag has everything you need. I’ve heard that nail clippers are often forgotten for college, but that might be more of an issue for guys than for gals.

A tissue box might be a good idea too, especially if you or a roommate has allergies.

I wouldn't know what to advice as the ruels will be different, personally I couldn't share a room with another person, particularly one I didn't know.

USA USA WOO XD

US

Are you in the US or Britain? When you use the word dorm I think of America as we don't have them in the UK

Take your own pillow from home, don’t buy a new one. Best decision I ever made

Me too! Serious issue. I wish my high school had had a map. I got lost so many times lol.

I hope your uni has one.

% said:

Map of the university

I am definetly going to need one of those. I have terrible sense of direction. If I cant see the destination then I cant get there... 

Hi,

I would recommend taking some personal comfort things, if you can. When I went to university for my first year I got really homesick and struggled to feel comfortable and at 'home' so next year I took some more personal things, like my bears and dolls. This helped me feel a lot more comfortable and settled there.

Other than that I would say the following things are good to take with you

• Clothes
• Books
• Notebook
• Pens
• Pencils
• Laptop
• Bag/Backpack
• CDs
• Spare phone charger
• First aid kit (Probably not really needed but I'm very OCD with this lol)
• Map of the university (if one's available. Mine was available and it was a lifesaver!).
• DVDs (for unwinding and relaxing)

I hope this helps

As you're sharing a room you may want noise cancelling headphones and maybe even sleeping mask - it's possible the other person won't want to sleep when you do and lights on or music. 

You can often buy used books relevant to your course, as many students sell theirs or donate them when they finish a course. Universities or student organisations often facilitate this. It can save a lot of money.

We had 6 people in my flat with a shared living room/kitchen area. I didn't use the communal part very much. But thankfully we all had our own rooms. I hope your room mate is nice.

Unfortunatly I will have to share a room. 1 person in my actual room, then its like 7 people in the apartment/dorm/flat/whatever its called. 

Those are some good ideas thanks

College does mean something different in UK - you're right. It was college that made me think you might be US but uni is such a UK term I wasn't sure. No worries - it is very confusing.

So this is where it very much depends on your room accomodation and this is where my knowledge can now only come from TV or films. It was not a problem for me, I had my own room and it was lockable so anything that was important to me was locked in my room. I'd have been worried about it if this was not the case.

All the shows and films I've ever seen about American colleges is that you share a room with another person. If this is the case it obviously somewhat complicates things. So yes I'd agree if it's something that's very important to you and you'd be upset if someone else was to touch it or even damage it then leave it at home. But having said that you will need things to do to keep yourself entertained and to regulate. Whatever it is that would help you with this - I'd suggest maybe buying a college version that you'd be less upset about because you know you have your own at home. It very much depends on what it is you do. I'd even consider looking as to whether you could get a lockable box that you could hide under your bed or in a drawer or whatever so it wasn't obvious to others you were doing that but that you could put more private things in.

Im in the US (I said both versions because I think college means something different in UK? I find it confusing)

I don't mind long answers :)

Expecto_Patronum said:

So whatever you are into/enjoy as hobbies - make sure you have plenty of stuff for that so you can retreat when you need to.

I've been hesitant about bringing stuff I truly care about... I don't want anyone to touch it (causing it to get misplaced, dirty, broken, or just not handling it the way I want. But if I say "no touchy my stuff" then I might seem like an annoying person) and also I don't want it to be stolen. I realize its adults I'll be around but I still don't trust the idea.