Print and Features Editor Kitty Grant shares her shopping list that every Fresher needs
Moving to University for the first time is a really exciting experience, but it can be a little scary too. With so much stuff you need to get to make your room habitable, food shopping is, understandably, not most people’s priority. Hopefully this list of cupboard essentials will take away a little stress and allow you to enjoy freshers’ week to the fullest, without worrying about empty cupboards.
Having a few packets in the cupboard for when you want something quick is a must
Pasta
The stereotype of students eating nothing but pasta exists for a reason—it is quick, fits into different diets, and with different sauces can be very varied. If you eat pasta for every meal you will eventually get bored of it, but having a few packets in the cupboard for when you want something quick is a must.
Cooking oil and salt
These two essentials are easy to forget when buying bigger items, but you will soon realise how much you need them.
Frozen veg
There are a lot of negative connotations that come with frozen food, but having a bag of your favourite veg in the freezer can make life so much easier.
Crushed garlic
Garlic can add flavour to so many different dishes, but chopping it will leave a lingering smell on your hands for much longer than your breath, so pre-crushed garlic will make your life just a little bit easier.
Plant-based milk
Whether you drink dairy or not, having a carton of plant-based milk in the cupboard can be really useful. Unlike cows’ milk, plant-based milks are typically long life, meaning you can keep some in the cupboard for emergencies—so much easier than a late-night trip to the shops.
Tinned tomatoes form the basis of so many dishes
Tinned tomatoes
Tinned tomatoes form the basis of so many dishes, from stews to pasta sauces, so having a tin or two will be useful whatever your tastes.
Herbs and spices
The types of cuisine you prefer and the amount you plan on cooking will dictate which you buy. For someone planning on cooking fairly basic dishes, I would recommend dried Italian herbs, curry powder, and fajita seasoning, as these versatile mixes cover three of the main cuisines students tend to cook.
Washing-up liquid
Whether or not your accommodation has a dishwasher you are probably going to be doing most of your washing up by hand so you will need washing-up liquid and some kind of sponge (try not to be the person using up all your flatmates’ washing-up liquid).
Toilet roll
You really don’t want to forget this one.
Check out these recipes to try during Freshers week:
Five Recipes to Survive Your First Week as a Fresher
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