PS: when I say "uni" it simply means "University"
Laptop- Argos, brand store or any Electronics stores such as curry PC world
You don’t necessarily have to buy a laptop, if you’re waiting for student loan to pay the first instalment before you get one. My Uni library have a laptop loan box (you can go there to borrow a laptop to use during lecture) Check if yours have one too. Then you can buy one when you have money to buy.
Tablet- Argos, eBay, amazon, brand store
This is not compulsory to get one, but if you're a movie lover like me. You definitely should get one, when watching movie on your laptop you are basically inviting virus to come watch with you. This can shorten the life span of your laptop and you will have to get a new one when the one you're using is acting up. Getting a tablet prevent your laptop from virus through movie website.
Books/ Folder- WHSmith, Ryman, The-works
If you have folders from college, just use that. PS: these stores does deals at the start of uni (maybe first week)
Stationaries- WHSmith, Ryman, The-works
I will advice that you shouldn't get new stationaries, you can use the ones you have and during welcome week(freshers week) visit stands and get as many pens you deem fit you need.
PS: these stores do deals at the start of uni (University), so if getting new ones get them when they are doing sales
USB/Flash drive- eBay & Amazon – Kingston brand
Buy USB that have a key ring feature, then you can add it to your key or your Lanyard, which will prevent it from getting lost. Kingston is good because it's unbreakable.
Printer- Argos- from 27.00
Check if printing at Uni is cheaper. In my first year bought a printer and I regret buying one. The ink ran out quickly, when i decide to buy new ink i found that buying a new printer is better because you can use the money for in to get a new printer instead ( ink is expensive) therefore, buying ink is like buying a new printer.
The money you want to spend on getting printer can be enough for your printing for the rest of the academic year. Think about the cost and also the option that will benefit you before getting a printer. Therefore, before buying check with uni first.
Textbooks
There are two (2) approaches to this:
Firstly; for one module there can be 2 or more textbooks to get, but you’re only required to get the one on your “reading list”, you should definitely ask your module lecturer which textbook is compulsory. Don’t just buy every textbook relating to your course (you really don't want to do that cause it’s expensive and you might even not use it).
Textbooks you buy in first year can sometimes be useless in second year, you can also ask your lecturers if it’s just for first year or for the whole 3 years.
In case you get textbooks, you can always re-sell after using or keep it for your personal use, but you have to keep in mind that you won't get your full price back (even if it's un-used).
I didn't buy any textbooks for my first year, i got everything i wanted from the library, my university e-library and google scholar. Although, you hardly find the latest edition of textbooks in the library but, one thing you need to keep in mind is that from last edition to new edition very little things was changed (Well, the covers are more lovey for new editions), apart from the pretty covers content are same.
Second; Another approach to buying textbooks is not to buy any. Why? Because your library might have the last edition which can also be used for reading. If your course is mainly about research, text books is just your starting point Google scholar, or your university e-library should be your best friend not textbook (You get much credit if your research is not limited to textbooks compared to when information you included in your write-up is mainly from textbooks)
Buy textbooks if your lecturer says it’s very compulsory and when you also think you need one.
If you're not sure you need textbooks, Don’t buy it!!!!!
It will end up been used for room storage. You could use the money you bought them with for something else.