List of Items to Buy as a Newly Admitted Student in the University: Starting your university journey is exciting, but it also comes with a lot of planning. One of the first things you’ll need to do after accepting your admission is to get the right items ready.
Whether you’re moving into a school hostel or renting an apartment off-campus, having the right things with you will save you stress. So instead of waiting till you resume before running around, here’s a full list of what every newly admitted university student in Nigeria should pack.
Let’s break it down.
1. Important Documents You Must Bring
Before anything else, secure your documents. These are needed for clearance, course registration, and school ID.
Make sure you pack these:
- JAMB admission letter (original and photocopies)
- JAMB result slip
- University admission letter
- Birth certificate or age declaration
- LGA identification Certificate from your local government
- Acceptance and school fee receipts from your students portal
- At least 10 passport photographs
- Any other document your school may request
Tip: Get a plastic document folder or file bag to keep everything safe and organized.
2. Bedding and Sleeping Items
You’ll need your own bedding to be comfortable in your space. Most hostels don’t provide any.
Here’s what to buy:
- Mattress (ask your school what size is allowed – 6-inch or 4-inch)
- Bedsheets (minimum of two sets)
- Pillow and pillowcases
- Mosquito net
- Blanket or duvet
- Optional: Mattress cover to protect your bed
3. Buckets, Toiletries & Personal Hygiene Items
Daily cleaning and bathing items are must-haves, especially in hostels.
Buy:
- Two plastic buckets (one for bathing, one for laundry)
- Water bowl
- Bathing soap and sponge
- Detergent and bar soap
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Towel
- Toilet rolls
- Clothesline and pegs
- Comb or brush, body cream, deodorant
- Disinfectant (Dettol, Izal, etc.)
4. Cooking and Eating Essentials (If Allowed)
Some hostels allow cooking, others don’t. If yours does, you’ll need these:
- Stove (kerosene, gas, or electric) UNN uses grass cooker only for cooking if you are staying in the school Hostel, but if you are living off-campus you can use any cooker you like.
- Small gas cylinder (if using gas, Note UNN and some universities are not using gas cooker in their hostels)
- Pots and frying pan
- Plates, cups, and cutlery
- Cooler or food flask
- Water keg or bottle
- Lighter or matches
- Tray and small rack (optional)
Important: Confirm your hostel’s cooking policy before buying a stove.
5. Clothes and Laundry Supplies
Pack wisely. You don’t need your entire wardrobe, just what you’ll actually use.
Carry:
- Casual outfits (jeans, tops, t-shirts)
- Traditional wear (for church, mosque, or events)
- One or two formal clothes (for presentations)
- Underwear
- Nightwear
- Slippers, sandals, shoes, sneakers
- Hangers
- Laundry bag or basket
- Pressing iron (dry iron is safer for hostels)
6. Academic Materials
You’re going to school, so don’t forget your study items. They’re just as important.
What to pack:
- Backpack or school bag
- Notebooks and jotters
- Pens, pencils, ruler
- Calculator
- Mathematical set (for science and engineering students)
- Flash drive or external hard drive
- Laptop (if you can afford one)
Extension socket (useful if outlets are limited in the room)
7. Kitchen Cleaning Supplies
If you’ll be cooking, you’ll also need to clean up after.
Add these to your list:
- Broom and dustpan
- Mop and bucket
- Dishwashing soap and sponge
- Trash bin
8. Basic Health and Safety Items
Protect your health while on campus. Here are a few things to bring along:
- Pain relievers (paracetamol, etc.)
- Antiseptic cream
- Hand sanitizer
- Mosquito net
- Nose masks (still helpful in crowded places)
9. Other Useful Items (Miscellaneous)
To be frank, when you buy the below items it will save you from spending double amounts for them because of some of them are Very costly inside some campus, so buy them as you come if you want to limit expenses.
They Include:
- Padlock and keys (for your locker or cupboard)
- Rechargeable lamp or flashlight
- Power bank
- Umbrella or raincoat
- Small mirror
- Nail cutter
- Water flask
- Religious book (Bible or Quran)
- Wristwatch or alarm clock
Final Tips Before Resumption
- Don’t overpack. Hostels don’t have much space.
- If you are staying in a school Hostel or Public lodge label your buckets, bowls, and other items clearly.
- Ask older students what’s allowed or not allowed in your hostel. This will help you to buy only the only the necessary items.
- If things are cheaper in your hometown, buy them before you travel.
- Always keep some emergency cash with you.
Recommended Articles
- How to Print Your JAMB Admission Letter by yourself: Simple Steps
- Know this before you register for UNN Post-UTME Screening Form 2025/2026 [UPDATED]
- Avoid This Mistake: Why Some Students Will Score 0/40 in the UNN O’Level Result Score (And Other Errors That Can Stop Your Admission)
- UNN Catchment Area and ELDS 2025: What You Need to Know
Conclusion
So that’s it. This list covers the essential things every newly admitted university student should have whether you’re staying in the hostel or off-campus.
Preparing early will save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. Once you resume, focus on getting settled, making new friends, and attending lectures.
If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it with someone else who just got admission or about to gain admission this will help him or her to make good plans with the money in hand. And don’t forget to bookmark this page so you can return to it when packing.
We wish you success on your academic journey
