1) A good place to start is by checking what you can't take. The likelihood of you arriving without half the things you actually need is more likely than being over prepared. However, if you have a great urge to take a deep fat fryer, tons of candles or anything else highly flammable and ultimately useless, think twice.
2) Imagine you're going on holiday. Then imagine that holiday is going to happen for a really long time, and any type of weather could occur. One way of starting off is by thinking of each part of your body and what you usually use for it. For example: head = hairbrush, shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, hair grips etc. Then write a list and actually use it.
3) This tip comes from a real life student! Being prepared is good, but don't be too prepared! Buying random things you think you might use isn't a good idea. The student in question bought loads of Post-its thinking he was being super-organised and they're still in his draw five years later. It's likely your room won't be all that big, so don't cram it full of stuff you don't need. You can always buy what you need when you get there.
4) Pack stuff you need at the top. The word 'need' is relative. What you need could mean the books in your reading list or vodka depending on who you are.
5) Buy stuff in the sales, but also bag as much as you can from your parents. Your mum wants to give you some forks? Take them! Then take some more. Some stuff doesn't go out of date, or at least not for a while: dried and tinned food, cutlery, pens and paper, take as much as you can carry!
