Forget your toothbrush and favourite mug - when packing for uni there are some key items that will help you make friends and influence people. These are our favourites.

1. A doorstop

Leave your door open and talk to anyone who passes by - it’s a small gesture but an essential one. Suggests you are friendly and ready and willing to meet new people.

2. A kettle

Perfect for a quick cuppa or instant soup, and it will never be as dirty as the communal one. People will be queuing up to sample your tea-making skills.

3. A laptop

For studies, this is extremely helpful – if you can afford one, get a cheap printer too – both will save you trekking to the library every time you want to do any work, and you'll avoid the inevitable stress and chaos of having queing up with countless others all frantically trying to print their work at the same time come essay submission week. Most importantly, you can stay connected by taking Facebook and MySpace with you everywhere, and if your machine has a CD drive, you'll have a facility. Some unis subsidise the purchase of laptops and many computer companies, including Apple, have student deals and discounts.

4. Sporting equipment

You can introduce yourself to new mates by starting up a game. Plus, if you have your own kit you can play whenever you want, even if you’re too rubbish/lazy to join the team.

5. Musical instruments

So what if you hated music lessons as a kid? Bring that guitar you never practiced, and those gap-year bongos rotting in the attic for late night jam-sessions where even the most tone-deaf will want to join in the fun.

6. Good DVDs

Try to take a range of films in different genres including comedies, epics, dramas and horror, and to stay on the safe side, ensure they are well-known and well-liked - obscure and sinister Eastern European films are likely to make you look like a weirdo/eccentric no matter how culturally-fulfilling they are.

7. Games console

This addition makes your room a centre of entertainment for nights in (not always a good thing for your studies, but nice for company). As with the DVDs rule, don’t be tempted to bring zombie shooting games alone, even if they are all you play. Bring games that everyone can play at once and are fun rather than intense or scary. Football games, for example, usually go down a treat with a crowd

8. Bottle opener/ lighter (even if you don’t smoke)

Put it on your key ring, put it in your room, and you will become an instant saviour and idol to those whose alcohol or nicotine related pleasures are so cruelly restrained by bottle caps and burnt-out matches

9. A decent fancy dress outfit

For girls, make sure your outfit makes you look classy but still fun. Lads; just make sure that it’s meant to be for a woman and that it shows as much flesh as possible. A fancy dress outfit makes someone easier to talk to and a memorable one will not only be good fun to wear, but also make you instantly recognisable (although you may regret this in months to come when the associated photos resurface on Facebook).

Do you have any suggestions on essential kit for university? Add your comments below

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