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5 Unexpected Things You'll Need For Your First Week Of Uni

  • Writer: Lydia Kah-Pavlou
    Lydia Kah-Pavlou
  • Aug 30, 2023
  • 4 min read
5 Unexpected Things You'll Need For Your First Week Of Uni hero image

Make sure you're prepared for everything the start of uni will throw at you!


If you're starting uni this September you're probably already thinking about what you'll need to pack. Luckily, we're making it easy for you and helping you out with some of the things you might not think about needing during your first week, but you definitely will.

If you're worried about your first week of uni, here's everything you might need to think about to help you have the best freshers' week ever.


1. A pair of comfy trainers for every occasion


Four fashionably dressed people pose confidently against a light blue background, wearing vibrant sportswear in yellow, purple, and orange.

Uni is going to be a lot of late nights and early mornings, and you'll want a pair of comfy trainers you can chuck on and team with everything. Thanks to our 20% Foot Locker student discount, you can save on the latest and freshest trainer drops and you're going to want to grab a few staple pairs.


Air Force 1s are an absolute classic that will never go out of style, they look good with everything, from your early morning lectures to nights out and the start of uni is the time to treat yourself to a shiny new pair with our limited-time-only 20% student discount at Foot Locker!


Another option is the TikTok viral adidas Gazelle's that have been everywhere this year, and there's a good reason for it as they're extremely comfortable, stylish and easy to pair with any outfit. You really can't go wrong and they will be a staple in your uni wardrobe.


Plus, while you're making the most of our 20% student discount at Foot Locker you're going to want to grab a pair of Crocs or sliders too–– trust us, you don't go into a uni kitchen or communal bathroom barefoot.


White sneakers on a blue background, one resting on the heel of the other. Text "AIR" visible on the sole, conveying a clean, fresh look.

Brown pants tied at ankles with black Adidas Gazelle sneakers on a light blue background. "GAZELLE" text on shoes. Casual vibe.


2. Medical advice on hand


Two people jogging by a river in a park. Woman in pink top and shorts, man in white shirt and green shorts. Greenery in background.

Freshers' flu is not a myth. We hate to break it to you but there's a good chance you'll probably be feeling the full impact of freshers' flu before the end of the first term. If you want to be vigilant and try and avoid catching a cold or cough too early on, you're going to want to make sure you're prepared if you do get ill.


With our LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor discount, you can easily access online consultations with clinicians so you can get help and the right medication you need quickly, safely and securely. Plus, you can save on essential medications and tests for your sexual health which is also super important during freshers', to make sure you're staying safe and on top of your health all around.


If you don't want to go into a pharmacy to buy sexual wellness products or medication it's perfect as you can click and collect from over 7000 convenient locations or get it delivered straight to your door instead! Packaging will always be plain and unbranded, so you don't have to worry about anyone else knowing.


You can also get advice and prescriptions for everyday things such as contraception, acne, travel, migraines or allergies. It's great to be prepared when you start uni, so if you do have an issue you'd like to discuss with a clinician you can get prescribed quickly.



3. A good skincare routine


Two smiling yellow cubes with star eyes stacked on a blue background. A person in a yellow shirt with star stickers on the face, purple backdrop.

Starting uni can mean a change in routine and if you're stressing over making friends or find yourself indulging in a few late nights and takeaways, you might quickly notice the impact on your skin.


Luckily, thanks to our student discount at Starface World you can save on all your skincare needs, including the innovative Hydro-Stars pimple patches. If you're prone to breakouts, the patches are designed to help reduce the appearance of inflammation and shrink spots overnight.


Yellow, starry-eyed smiley face on a compact with star-shaped compartments, set against a blue and purple gradient background.


The patches are formulated with 100% hydrocolloid and are free from parabens, sulfates, fragrance, and phthalates and are fully vegan and cruelty-free. The packaging is perfect for keeping in your bag for when you're out and about so you can easily cover your spots with the cute patches and feel confident and comfortable with your skin.


Plus, if yellow isn't your colour you can get the patches in black, blue, a colourful multipack, or even in rainbow so you can choose your fave colour to suit your personal style.



4. Comfortable loungewear


Two people in gray hoodies with "BROOKLYN NYC" text. Woman in foreground with a lavender headband, both exude a confident mood. White background.

Uni isn't going to be all about nights out and partying. While you'll be having late nights, you'll also be experiencing some early morning lectures and inductions that aren't optional. There's really nothing worse than having to get out of bed early when you don't want to, so you'll want to make sure you have plenty of comfy but stylish clothing to throw on when an early morning strikes.


From oversized hoodies to essential tracksuits, you can save on the latest styles using our Asos student discount! You can never really have enough loungewear and thanks to our student discount you can grab a few of your favourite styles without breaking the bank.


Two people pose confidently in matching light blue sweatsuits with sun graphics, set against a plain white background.

Woman in a white one-shoulder top and black Adidas pants with stripes sits on a white block. Casual style with a calm mood.

Person wearing a pink hoodie and brown pants stands against a white background, displaying a casual and relaxed pose.


5. A mattress topper


Cozy bedroom with geometric-patterned bed, wooden shelves, a desk with a lamp, and wall decor. Warm lighting and organized space.

Uni halls have infamous for having uncomfortable beds. Luckily, you can easily improve the comfort of your bed with good-quality bedding and a mattress topper. Not only will a mattress topper make your bed feel comfier and softer but it will also help you to get a better night's sleep as well. Whether you want a memory foam mattress topper or one that helps keep you cool at night, there are plenty to choose from from Dunelm.


Gray bed with white mattress topper in a bright bedroom. Gray headboard, side table with lamp, and a large window view of greenery.


Not to mention, our handy student discount at Dunelm will help you to save on all of your uni room and home essentials to help you brighten up your space and make it your own.



Hopefully, this has given you some tips when it comes to packing and getting ready for uni. Don't forget to use your Student Beans account to help you with big savings across all your fave brands when it comes to buying new stuff for uni.


This post is a sponsored post in partnership with Foot Locker, Starface World and LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.

Still got some space on your university shopping list? Follow our Youtube channel for all the tips and tricks for your Freshers essentials.



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