GIKI Starter Pack: The Ultimate Packing List

Let’s make a few things clear:

1. You are not a kid anymore.

2. Home will always be home.

3.  You’ll have to make the best of what you have.

If you expect royal treatment in GIKI then let us be the first one to tell you, you are wrong. You have chosen the hostel life and dammit it feels good to be independent. But this requires a lot of getting used to. So to help you get started, we have compiled a list of the things you will most definitely need.

For your convenience we have divided the list into three categories:

• Essential
• Non-Essential
• Personal Preference

All of which contain items with some commentary over why it belongs in this category.

Note: * An asterisk means that these items can be bought through the campus store. However we suggest you bring your own.

Note: At the end of the list is a printable PDF checklist that you can use when coming to GIKI.

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Essentials

These items are those that are absolutely necessary at GIKI and one that you cannot survive without (unless you come from a background of cavemen)

 

• Pillow: Because, duh. Since you’ll be spending most of your nights here, it’s best you do so comfortably. Although GIKI does provide every student with one, it’s better to have another that doesn’t feel like a brick sack.
• Bedsheets x2: Because clean beds are sexy.
• Toiletries: It’s pretty self-explanatory unless you’ve been living under a rock all your life. Don’t bring half empty shampoos and toothpaste.
• *Towels x2: Bring at least two to three towels to be on the safe side. When one gets dirty, you whip out the second.
• Water bottle: Your days can be long and hectic here and frequent trips to the water cooler are just not worth it.
• *Bug Spray: Surprisingly your room can become a hotspot for all the creepy crawlies, especially on those rainy days. You’ll face ants, mosquitoes or even the occasional lizard if you’re not careful enough.
• *Umbrella: Considering the unpredictable weather, this will be one of your best friends for getting around. From freezing rainstorms to the scorching heat of Topi, having an umbrella is a life saver.
• *Cleaning cloth: Always handy to have in your room. Be it a gaming session or a pizza party, you’ll never know when you might need one.
• Laptop: At GIK accessibility is a lifestyle. You need your personal laptop for presentations, assignments, GIK mail, course registrations, quiz marks, watching courses on Youtube or just surfing through the web; wasting your time like you always do.
• *Phone charger: Forgetting your charger is a big mistake. You need your cell phone charger. Period.
• Router: Always try to keep a personal router. Speeds are faster once you connect to the Ethernet cable (provided in each room) and then all your devices can run on your own personal Wi-Fi (plus you will get essential Duas from your roommate. What? A Dua is essential as well)
• Rucksack/Backpack: GIKI is a BIG place and us humanoids have tiny legs. You will be walking for an average of 7km-10km a day. So keep a backpack to bear extra weight.
• Air tight container: Frustration is having your leftover biscuits turn stale. Keep an airtight container. It’s also great for dry fruit and other goodies you have. Keep away from snack hogging roommates.
• Extra cash: In the first few days you won’t be able to gauge your routine or your cash spending. Keep spare cash for emergencies, in case the ATM link is down.
• ATM debit card: Now that you are 18+, you need to get yourself an ATM card. GIKI has an HBL branch within its premises, so you know which bank to choose from.

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Non-Essentials

These items are ones that you can live without for reasons, but it’ll make life easier if you have them.

 

• *Wiper: Despite a caretaker who comes around weekly, bathrooms can get pretty messy. It’s always good to have a wiper if you’re a fan of cleanliness.
• *A-4 sheets: Just in case of those assignments due the next day.
• Printer: Major time saver, It’s not something you’ll need everyday, but when needed, you’ll be glad you have one. For assignments, official letters and even presentations a printer at your disposal is a bold statement that you mean business.
• Basket for clothes: It’s either that or the chair. A basket is a very handy way for keeping your room organized.
• *Stapler: Cause looking for a stapler to staple your 10-page assignment at 3am in the night is not fun or easy.
• Sleeping eye pads: Cause some roommates are more hardcore than others. You can’t force your roommate to close his light and sleep early if he is staying awake to study for a quiz.
• *Box of tissue: You can often get stuck in a sticky situation, and a box of tissue is a box with a thousand uses. Keep one.
• Cap: Cause the sun is unforgiving for the first couple of months.
• *Hangers: Cause nobody wants to iron their shirts and trousers. Just hang them up.
• *Medicine: Yes we have a medical center, and yes the service and medicine is free, but always keep these medicines with you: Arinac, Buprofen, Sancos, Panadol, Joshanda, Honey and Dispirin.

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Personal Preference

These items are the ones that we personally find insanely cool to have and just makes life that much more interesting.

 

• Study lamp: Trust us when we say this, it’s effective. Plus, it’s a good way for those nighter studies if your roommate’s not the night owl that you are.
• Speakers: Because who doesn’t like their music loud? Although, worth pointing out that you shouldn’t get carried away with it. Remember, other people will live there too. Keep their peace of mind in check.
• Locks: For the extra security fanatics. You just can’t be too careful.
• Deck of Cards: Surely everyone’s a fan of a game or two. It’s a great way of passing the time or wowing the other kids with those insane card tricks you’ve been youtube-ing.
• Bicycle: A handy way of getting around, though, your friends will be using it more than you.
• LCD: Spice up your room a little bit. It’s great for watching movies, reading slide lectures, gaming and practically anything screen related. *Be WARNED. Big screens are not recommended*
• *Snack Stock: First week, if you are homesick, then your snacks will save you.
• Raincoat: Cause nothing looks geekier than a man walking in a raincoat. But who cares? You’ll remain dry, and that is what matters.
• Prayer mat: Based on your personal religion, feel free to bring your prayer mats. GIKI is quite a tolerant society.
• Reading books: Sometimes, all you need is a good book, a tea, and the mystique 7am atmosphere of GIK.

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It is also to be noted that you will have your Eid-Ul-Azha break after your first few weeks of university. Stay tuned to our blog for the winter packing list.

Below as promised is a PDF which is a handy packing checklist. Download, print and use it.

CollegePackingList.pdf