
Whether you’re looking forward to finally returning to your university campus or you’re a fresher starting your first semester, you want to make sure you're buying unique, personalised and most importantly, durable items. ShuHui Yong from UWA has put together her must-haves for every university student this semester.
Must have: Bag
When it comes to bags, functionality, comfort and durability are the priorities for something you will be using daily. There are a few stores at the Watertown Brand Outlet that I recommend checking out: Bags To Go, where you can find protective padded Samsonite backpacks, City Beach (which can also be found in the Murray St Mall) and Converse, where you can find light, comfortable backpacks for $50 or less.
If you are looking for a bag that would last for years, Crumpler (Hay St Mall) is well known for producing a wide range of durable, heavy-duty bags. Designed in Australia and known as a global brand, their products are not only made of eco-friendly materials but are also versatile and designed for convenience.
Ladies, if backpacks aren’t your thing, tote bags are really popular too - not only are they stylish, they are also a perfect carry-all. The City Tote bag from Pigeonhole is my pick! With its simple design, it comes with two inside pockets for easy organisation, comfortable shoulder straps and waterproof fabric, making it a versatile, convenient and functional bag overall.
Plus check out David Jones or Myer for their range of brands - the Jay Double Handle Tote Bag by Tony Bianco caught my eye because of its versatility and elegance in addition to being very light.
Must have: Tech Accessories
Every student owns and needs different tech accessories, however there are a few basic must-haves for every uni student.
Check out these JBL Tune 500BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones for a decent quality AND affordable pair for students. Not only does they boast speed charging ability and 16-hour long battery life (good for long study hours!) but they're also lightweight and the foldable design means they won't take up too much space in your bag.
A power bank also comes in handy to charge your mobile phone when you’re on the go. Plus, I would definitely recommend keeping a pen drive in your bag - you never know when you’ll need to transfer some files! There is an extensive range of tech accessories in terms of brands and pricing at Harvey Norman (City West) and JB Hi-Fi (Forrest Chase and Enex).
Must have: Drink Bottle
Having your reusable drink bottle really comes in handy when you’re constantly on the go at university. Insulated bottles can keep your drink ice-cold or warm for up to a few hours - so convenient!
I love this Corkcicle drink bottle from Arrival Hall. The unique, modern design makes it stands out from other water bottles - but most importantly, this drink bottle features a wide mouth opening so it can easily fit ice cubes! This bottle also has a silicone bottom that prevents it from slipping.
David Jones, Myer and House (Watertown Brand Outlet) also have a range of affordable insulated drink bottles in a variety of designs: from fun, bold prints to natural tones. Your options are endless!
Must have: Stationery
It’s no secret that great stationery puts you in a good mood for studying!
Officeworks (Hay St) boasts an extensive selection of affordable stationery - from notebooks, coloured cards, files, and even some tech accessories. If you’re looking for stationery that reflects your personality, Kikki.K (Enex) is the place for you.
I really love their Signature Edition Collection because I think the pastel-coloured notebooks and pencil cases are simple yet elegant and can be personalised by their DIY decorative items. They have journals and planners of all sorts so you can definitely find the perfect one for yourself.
Must have: Umbrella
Winter and spring will see some rainy days, so it is useful to have a small, compact umbrella that will not take up much space (or weight) in your bag.
I’m loving the bold, black and white prints on Culture Kings’ ‘Not-For-Sale’ limited edition umbrellas - they are definitely one of a kind! Dangerfield has umbrellas with colourful prints if black and white isn’t your style, and you can also find light, durable umbrellas at Kathmandu (Hay St Mall) - they're on the more expensive end, but you will certainly get your money’s worth from them!
For the student budget, Officeworks (Hay St) and Target (Hay St / Murray St Mall) have affordable umbrellas for under $10.
About the author
ShuHui Yong is an international student from Malaysia. She arrived in Perth in January 2019 for the UWA Foundation Program and is currently a first-year undergraduate student at UWA. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Perth, browsing around stores as well as discovering and learning about local history and culture. She has also taken up writing blogs regarding her student life and journey in Perth.
- 01 Jul '20