University Survival Kit

Last week my best friend gave me the most original birthday present ever - a university survival kit. It means that I will leave home next weekend fully equipped to deal with all that life throws at the unsuspecting first year student, from Fresher's Flu (it does exist apparently) to cravings for baked beans (or does that one apply only to me?) and all manner of crises in between. On that note, I have decided to share with you my list of the ten things I couldn't survive university without - not including the obvious things like money or bed linen.

1. Baked Beans - Well, I did mention this above. You can gather from the fact that a tin of beans was included in my university survival kit that they play a crucial role in my everyday life. It's also an indication of just how well my best friend knows me. When I found out that there are no microwaves supplied in Larkfield (I'll just have to go out and buy one) I momentarily panicked - what about my beans? Sorry, but I think they taste inferior when cooked in a pot. That's just me. Anyway, they are my comfort food. Where other people would turn to ice-cream for support, I would seek solace in a tin of beans. At a dinner table I'd be very easy to spot. I'd be the girl with an alarmingly large quantity of beans on her plate, and would then be seen asking for a second helping. I'm a lost cause.

2. Comedy DVDs - Now this is very, very important. I never used to think I would miss not having a television at all. But that was before I became addicted to afternoon re-runs of Yes Minister. Now there's going to be quite a big gap in that department, and my comedy DVDs are going to fill it. Classic British comedy is one of my nerdy fixations, so believe me when I say my apartment is going to be full of it. From Morecambe and Wise to Basil Fawlty and beyond, they'll all be there to stick on when I need a good laugh.

3. Music - This one should be pretty obvious. Everyone who knows me knows how important music is to me. I'd bring my entire CD collection along if I thought it could all fit, but shelf space looks rather limited, and I think my comedy box sets will take up enough room as it is. So I'll have to make do with my iPod, which contains most of it anyway. And god knows when I might need to put some headphones on!

4. Guitar - I haven't decided whether I'm going to bring my Les Paul or my Casino (any excuse to show off, eh?) but I can't bring them both, so it's one or the other. I also have no idea how I'm going to fit an amplifier into my shoebox-style apartment. One thing's for sure, I need a guitar to hand. I'm probably going to join the Music Soc, so it'll be nice to play with people. I also have a habit of dreaming about chord progressions or riffs at night, and frantically trying to remember them the next morning. So yeah. Guitar is pretty essential.

5. Photographs - I like to be surrounded by photographs even when I'm at home, so it'll be even more important when I'm not. I've got some nice photos of times with friends which I'm bringing with me. I've also got a couple of my dog, and they're coming with me too. You have no idea how much I'll miss my dog. I will of course be going home for a weekend here and there, but still. It's very odd not having a dog around the place every day if you're used to it.

6. Skype - Easily the best invention of the 21st century. Skype has been a life-saver to me on numerous occasions. It's a handy way to keep in touch with the parents and siblings and tell them the goings-on without having to ring them and use up credit. I know, I'm a tight-wad! Seriously though, a Skype call is ten times better than a phone call, as you can actually see the person you're talking to. It'll also be so useful for chatting to my friends from home while they're at university too.

7. Books - Honestly, right now I have no idea how much time I will have on my hands for reading purposes during the academic year. I mean, I have plenty of free hours, but I'll be busy with assignments and the like, not to mention clubs and societies. It's far easier to squeeze a DVD into a busy schedule than it is to read for leisure. But I'm hoping I'll be able to do it, as it's nice to transport yourself off to another world for a while.

8. Chocolate - The ultimate reward after a long day (okay, that's just a pathetic excuse to attempt to justify the fact that I eat too much chocolate). I don't know what else to say about it really. We all know how heavenly it is.

9. Football - I'm not talking about actually playing football, although I'm hoping this will be a big part of university life for me. I'm talking about watching it. Premer League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League... it's so important for me to be able to watch Manchester United. I believe DCU has a United supporters society, so I'm definitely going in search of that.

10. YouTube - For everything else I can't watch due to the absence of a television!

Now, at some stage this week I actually have to start packing!