There are certain moments in motherhood when you realise that the little messy person you made eat ice lollies in the bath (great tip!) is about to walk through a door without you.
My daughter is starting university in about two weeks time.
I’m really excited for her and very proud that she worked hard and earned her place there (and has worked hard this Summer so she has some money for it). This is the beginning of such a brilliant chapter: new friends, new independence, late-night chats, ridiculous stories, lectures she may or may not attend, meals in halls, meal deals, nights out, nights in and late night visitors.. eek.
There will be freedom.
There will be fun.
There will probably be a few (lot) mistakes.
And there will definitely be shared bathrooms.
Which brings me neatly to the things I’m quietly putting into her university bag that perhaps aren't quite as glamorous as a new duvet set, but might prove surprisingly useful.
Starting university is a HUGE change
For many young people, starting university means suddenly being responsible for all the little things that home life has quietly taken care of - changing bedding and towels, loo roll, remembering appointments and eating a balanced diet.
And looking after yourself when you're tired, busy, excited, homesick, hungover, rushing to a lecture or simply wondering what on earth you're supposed to eat for dinner.
University is an enormous leap into independence, and halls can be a wonderfully social part of that experience. You're suddenly surrounded by people who were complete strangers a few weeks ago, all figuring it out together. UCAS describes halls as a social environment where first-year students can make new friends and learn to live independently.
And I think that's the important bit. They're all figuring it out.
Will she drink? Will she not drink?
Maybe she'll drink.
Maybe she won't.
Maybe she'll have a couple of drinks and come home at midnight.
Maybe she'll dance until 3am (probs)
I'm sending her with the reminder that she gets to decide what fun looks like for her.
She doesn't have to drink because everyone else is.
And she certainly doesn't have to pretend she's comfortable with something just to fit in.
The wonderful thing about university is that there are so many different people to meet. Some will become lifelong friends. Some will be the people you share a kitchen with and politely avoid (forever) before your morning coffee.
And then there are the halls…
Shared kitchens.
Shared toilets.
Shared showers.
Shared everything.
Suddenly, you're thinking about shower caddies.
Flip-flops.
Towelling dressing gown
Now on that subject, from my day job, Woowoo products perfect to support your princess in her new adventure.
Woowoo Intimate wipes for the moments when a shower isn't happening or nasty period surprises.
There are going to be days when the shower feels like 14 miles away or when your flatmates have somehow occupied every bathroom simultaneously or worse when you're in a lecture and your period starts unexpectedly.
A pack of Woowoo Cranberry intimate wipes can be a handy little addition to a university bag, with their gentle cleansing approach and a microbiome-friendly formula.
Woowoo Cranberry Cleanse an essential for the toiletry bag
An intimate wash is another one I'd put on the university essentials list.
University life can mean long days and nights, changes in routine, travelling, nights out, not eating healthily, all of which can upset your intimate biome. You might find that your usual shower gel doesn't agree with your skin any more or you are more prone to UTI's. This gentle cleanse is a Tiktok fav for keeping your Woowoo happy despite all the challenges you throw at it!
Woowoo Tame it! In-shower Hair Removal Cream
Now, this one is completely personal but if you're on a tight budget and don't want to sacrifice fun to pay for wax appointments or shaving everyday no longer an option, then Woowoo Tame it! might be a handy little helper.
Tame It! Hair Removal Cream is a gentle-but-powerful hair removal cream designed for sensitive intimate skin, giving lasting smooth, stubble-free results. It's ideal for the bikini line and intimate areas and is designed to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.
Woowoo Anti-chafe balm stick
This is a particular one for the UK.. the wet UK. They are predicting the wettest ever Winter or something. There's mutliple reasons Woowoo Anti-chafe stick balm might be useful to have
Jeans.
Actually, jeans, wet jeans, long days and lots of walking.
Also handy for slipping into shapewear for nights out.
Or for running.
WooWoo's are experts in intimate skin care that fits into real life
It's about comfort.
It's about inner confidence.
The thing I really want her to remember
If I could put one thing in my daughter's suitcase, it wouldn't be another pair of cotton knickers. It would be this:
You don't have to have it all figured out.
It's about becoming more yourself.
It's about discovering what you like.
Who you like spending time with.
What you're willing to compromise on.
What you're absolutely not willing to compromise on.
It's about finding your people.
There will be late nights and early mornings.
There will be nights she'll never forget.
There will probably be nights she wishes she could forget.
There will be new friends, new places, new confidence and the occasional spectacular mistake.
And through all of it, I hope she remembers that looking after herself isn't boring.
It's empowering.
So yes, I'm putting the practical things in her university bag.
But I'm also sending her with a little bit of mum wisdom:
Have fun. Be kind. Trust your gut. Come home when you want to. Don't do anything just because everyone else is doing it. And please, make good choices!
Good luck, girls.
You've got this.
And if you're a mum watching your own daughter head off to university this year, it's a big change for us as well. Sending strength, a glass of wine (or your preferance) and a lovely scented candle that she won't be able to pinch (as probs not allowed in halls anyway)
