Packing: don't forget your toothbrush

Sorting out what to take to university is an odd thing. It's sort of in between packing for a holiday and moving house. You're not officially leaving home - if you're anything like me, you'll cling on to your real home base for a good few years before saying goodbye to that comfort zone. But you are setting out on your own, and so you'll need to prepare for your new found independence accordingly.

Probably the first thing to think about is how you're getting to university and, more importantly, how you're getting back. If you live in Penzance and you're studying in Aberdeen, your parents will likely drive you up to help you get settled in. But then they'll quickly tire of the 24 hour round trip and from then on you'll have to rely on trains. This could turn into a nightmare when moving out of halls with hundreds of boxes full of stuff.

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One way of cutting down on space is to invest in a laptop and get all of your music onto that - meaning you can leave your CDs safe and sound at home. And if you get some speakers too, you won't have to cart your stereo to university. Don't believe all this guff about being respectful to your neighbours. If they start playing loud music, you need something substantial in your arsenal to respond. So make sure the speakers are powerful. And pack some earplugs for when the response comes mid-exam period.

This will form your desk setup. You'll also need an Anglepoise lamp to focus your mind at 3am. You'll need to line your desk and shelves with books. And not just a dictionary, thesaurus and the ODQ - all essential - but some Tolstoy, some Orwell, and some Proust. You don't have to read them, you just want all your new friends to think you're a closet intellectual. Also take a copy of Larousse Cocktails, and I certainly found Sophie Grigson's The First-Time Cook indispensable: a cracking read even if I never did any cooking.

Don't bother taking stationery with you. You can buy that at the university shop and chances are you won't need much more than a pad of paper and a biro. And don't commit the cardinal sin of taking all your A-level notes with you.

But do make sure you keep in your desk drawer your university acceptance letter, accommodation info, student loan details, medical details, bank details, your passport and endless supplies of passport photos (trust me on that one). And under the desk, stick in a mini fridge. Make sure it's covered mind, as these useful creations are outlawed in most university halls. Keep accessible other vital appliances: a kettle and a toastie maker.

I also kept under my desk a crate of plates and cutlery my mum had packed. This is really a matter of whether you're in catered accommodation or self-catering. You'll obviously need to pack the right pots and pans if you're in student flats. But if you're only having to feed yourself at lunch and the occasional missed breakfast, then only take what you need: a plate, a bowl, and a set of cutlery. Needless to say, my crate of crockery remained untouched.

Pack all the mugs and glassware you can - it's amazing how much university revolves around the liquid stuff. Speaking of alcohol, did I mention a corkscrew? Indispensable.

Scanning round the room, you'll want to put some photos on the wall to remind you of home and to keep you going if you get a bit down. And all you gappers, feel free to bring your South American drapes, Indian rugs, etc. These will give you serious bragging rights. The rest of you will have to settle for cheap Ikea prints or the usual posters ("Don't drink and drive, smoke and fly," etc.) that you'll be able to get once you're there. Do take some Blu Tack though: I guarantee you'll never get round to buying it otherwise.

Bed linen should be provided. Take a hot-water bottle - but prepare for a stream of invective if you're male. Take a laundry basket. See if you can get one that's like a large duffel bag: they're very useful for shipping stuff to the laundry room. Make sure you pack some detergent as well.

Moving over to the bathroom: now, I don't know too much about the ladies, but guys, once you get to university, you need to get on top of your game when it comes to grooming. Each morning demands some serious, one-on-one, quality time with the mirror. And it's not like at home when you can steal your brother's hair wax, your mum's nail clippers and your dad's Old Spice. You need to have all of this ready to hand. Take your mum to Boots before you leave and you'll be thankful.

Oh, and while you're there, why not stock up on a few first aid items: paracetamol is a must - if not Alka Seltzer: at least then you'll be able to help your neighbour when he staggers into your room of a Sunday morning screaming "Resolve! Resolve!"

Freshers' flu is an inevitability. But don't take cold remedy with you - that's just asking for it! No, when the dreaded disease strikes, just head down to the student shop and get some Beechams All-in-One syrup. It always worked a treat for me, and you get a shot glass to down the stuff (which makes it all the more palatable as your body starts to expect sambuca). Don't mess with ProPlus: a friend of mine took it at midnight, finished his work at 2am, still wasn't asleep at half five, and ended up writing some very dubious poetry.

Clothes are an obvious necessity, and are entirely your personal choice. But don't take all you own - you don't have the room and your tastes will probably change once you start university. And make sure you pack for winter weather! Don't get caught wearing flip-flops in Scotland in December.

But perhaps the best thing to take is the most low-tech, least expensive thing imaginable: a door stop. That way you can keep an open door, and anyone passing by is someone to invite into your new, well-stocked, if temporary, home.

The Student Room has a fantastic student life section online with a pretty-much exhaustive list of everything you could possibly need, created and edited by students (www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki).

For more information on leaving home and more, check out 'The Student Life Handbook' (Palgrave Macmillan, £11.99)