My favourite part of preparing for uni is going interior decor shopping. And boy oh boy do I know my stuff when it comes to roomspiration. Whether you're stuck for supplies or want to vamp up the aesthetic in your dorm, here is a handy checklist of everything I'm currently on the hunt for:

• Pillow & duvet set - I need something that says "I'm an adult" but also that looks retro and chic methinks.
• Hangers - I went for a university taster week last summer and you get about three freebies but that's it. I'm making sure to pack some of those!
• Doorstop - Keeping your door open when you first move in is a fab way to make friends in freshers week.
• Extension cord - Some dorm rooms have them already but as a given, you've got a maximum of two plugs in your room, one of these may be useful!
• Aesthetic af laundry basket - You read right, I need a place to put all the clothes I throw on the floor, so I feel more motivated to put a wash on. Plus, if it's cute, I'll be more prepared to actually use it... I hope.

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Stationery

Okay, we've got the boring essentials out the way, now for my favourite thing in the whole wide world... STATIONERY. I swear to god I live at Paperchase.

• Cute pencils - I'm doing a drama degree, so I'm always going to need a few sticks of granite to take notes at rehearsals!
• Pen pot - I can't live without my DIY desk organiser at home so I'm going to need a uni equivalent to store my stationery. I suppose it puts a use to all the tinned food and pot noodles I'll be eating when I get there...
• Intray - One of those things adults have on their desks. I have one on my desk, filled with useless junk. At uni, I'll aim to keep it a little more tidy!
• Bullet Journal - I'm in the process of gathering materials to make my own. I watch a lot of YouTube videos and am hoping it'll mean I can keep my sh*t together when I'm living on my own.
• Washi tape - It has so many uses! I'm going to stick a load of it on my corkboard in my dorm room and the best bit is, it comes off walls, so no rows with landlords about torn wallpaper! Plus... it's unbelievably cute.

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Food

The big one. How do we sheltered newborn adults actually survive when we have to cook meals for one and shop responsibly? Here's a list of food that's cheap to get, versatile and not too bad on the belly!

• Potatoes - Microwave them, chop them up and fry them, boil them; there's a lot of things you can do with them and often they're a cheap investment if you buy in bulk. Make potato wedges as a cheaper and healthier alternative to takeaway chips.
• Chicken - If you want a meat, this is your best bet. Chicken is by far the cheapest and most versatile meat on the market and a little bit of white meat won't hurt up to three times a week.
• Liver - Don't get grossed out, I'm about to blow your mind. Combine chopped onion, chopped bacon and diced, floured lamb's liver in a pan and fry until the liver is brown and crumbly. Cover with gravy and you've got a meal that's unbelievably good for you, full of flavour and it comes to under £5 at my local supermarket! Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

Other Honourable Mentions

Towels - you may or may not be given these

Tote Bag - just something casual for lecture essentials 

'Going Out' Bag - for hitting the student union club

Painkillers - for when it's that time of the month

Paper - lined, plain, dotted; they'll be a moment when it's needed

Permanent Marker - for labeling all your stuff

Alarm Clock - for those 9am lectures

Formal Wear - for special occasions

Candle/Diffuser - for when you don't want your room smelling like last night's pizza

And that's it from me! Of course I'm taking more than this to uni, but reading about washing up liquid and crockery might be a little boring...

P.S: Upon talking to my older friends, if there is one thing you do not need, it's a potato masher. You will NEVER use it. Remember...