Useful things to bring...

Official Stuff

• Student Loan Information
• Student Insurance
• A few passport photographs - useful for joining societies and clubs
• Relevant A-Level notes and books.
• NHS Card (for NHS Number)
• Anything else College has told you to bring!

Work Related

• Empty files/folders for notes
• Couple of pads of paper
• Basic pencil case stuff
• A few empty notebooks in case you prefer to write lecture notes in these
• Post-It notes
• Sellotape, stapler and scissors; there are never enough to go around, guard them with your life!
• N.B. Rymans in Cambridge gives students a discount, so if you don't have room in your car, take the essentials then stock up when you get here.
• Laptop/computer and printer. Handy to bring if you can, but don't worry if you can't. Downing has an excellent computer room which is available to use at all times.

Pots, Pans and the Kitchen Sink

• No need to go over the top here: kitchen facilities vary and most people tend to eat in the servery, but do take a few essentials, they do come in handy!
• Plates, dishes, cutlery, pans, a kettle, toaster. There's always a hob, fridge and microwave (and sometimes an oven and freezer too) to make meals and snacks.
• Saucepan, frying pan and small chopping board
• Empty plastic container to store food in
• Mugs Ð and lots of them!
• Plastic beaker cups are also useful
• Lots of teaspoons, they tend to go missing...
• A few basic food things: tea, coffee, cereal, bread and milk to get you started
• Maybe a few chocolate, sweets and biscuits to offer everyone For your Room
• Clothes, wash stuff, towels, anything you use on a day-to-day basis.
• Iron (but most staircases have an ironing board ~ most just get by without ironing, though Ð a peril of student living!)
• Washing Powder (for the laundry room)
• An alarm clock (this can be quite important for those pesky 9 o'clock lectures!)
• Decorations, photographs and bits and bobs. College rooms can seem a little bare at first, so bring anything that will make you feel at home: a rug to cover up big floors, a throw in case you have an extra bed in your room, a plant (warning: may not survive the term..) etc.
• Posters. NB: You can't use blu-tack in your rooms, but you can hang posters from the picture rails or hooks using poster-hangers. Don't worry if you can't fit these in the car, the University Societies Fair has a big poster sale in Freshers' Week and you can find poster hangers at Rymans in town!
• If you have an en-suite, you might want to bring a bath-mat. If you find out you're not living in Kenny or Howard Court, an extra lamp might be useful.
• A pin board (if your room doesn't already have one): very useful!
• Bedding: college will rent it out, but it's cheaper to bring your own (including pillows); take two sets so there's no rush in washing.

Bits and Bobs

• ID - that is, if you want to get into the clubs around town!
• Bike, helmet, lights and lock Ð if you have one! They're handy for getting around Cambridge (especially as it's so flat), but don't worry, you can pick one up quite reasonably in town. Don't forget your lights Ð you can receive an on-the-spot fine if you're caught without them.
• Gown. You can buy a gown in advance from college or from specialist shops in town (Ryder and Amies and A.E. Clothier have good reputations and sell gowns along with other college merchandise), but it's probably best to order it from college. We do, though, have (literally) a couple of second-hand gowns which are in quite good condition. If you are interested, just contact Anna or Pete.
• 'Formal Wear': You will need to wear something smart for Matriculation on the Tuesday of Freshers' Week. Don't panic! The dress code is Ôsmart casual with gowns' so a shirt and tie or a skirt/trousers and blouse are suitable. Formal wear and gowns are also worn for college Formal Hall (which is held three times a week and is completely optional), so feel free to bring any suits, jackets and jeans or dresses as they'll come in handy.
• Freshers' Week Fancy Dress and Halloween costumes! We can show you around places to buy parts for a costume once you're up here, though - just ask!

Last edited 6/9/07 (gjr32)