The Left-Behind List: What I’m Finally Bringing to London

When I first came to LSE, I was so sure I’d packed efficiently. Minimalist! Streamlined! Chic! (Or so I thought.) Fast-forward one term later, and I’ve realised I left half my life behind. If you’ve ever borrowed your flatmate’s everything because you “didn’t think you’d need one,” this post is for you. Here is a list of things I will bring to London after the break!

🧥 1. Clothes I Swore I Didn’t Need

I thought I was being practical. One coat! A few jumpers! Two pairs of jeans! But apparently, life at LSE involves more than lectures and library marathons.

By Week 6, I’d been invited to society parties and an internship interview and realised I didn’t own a single thing that could be described as “smart casual” or clothes to go clubbing! 

So yes, this time I’m bringing:

• A proper blazer or suit jacket
• Shoes that aren’t trainers
•  A few going-out tops for when I actually feel like dressing up

Lesson learned: London is full of surprises, and they all seem to require a different outfit!

🏠 2. Home Mementos (I Get It Now)

When I first moved to London, I skipped packing anything sentimental. I thought, "I’m here to study, not redecorate." Why waste space on things like photos or little keepsakes when I could use that room for, say, another pair of shoes?

Now I get it. The tiny details matter! The photo booth strip with my friends, the random art print from my hometown café, the postcard I’ve had stuck to my mirror for years. None of them are “essential,” but together they make the space feel warm, familiar, and just a bit more me.

So this time, I’m making room for:

• Photos that remind me of home
• Decorations with meaning, not just “cute from IKEA”
• A few small personal bits that make my London life feel less like a layover and more like I actually live here

👗 3. Wardrobe Swap Season

Coming back after the break is also the perfect excuse to refresh your wardrobe. I'm tired of wearing the same clothes all the time, considering I have some cute things left at home!

So this time, I’m doing a full switch:

• Bringing a few things home that I clearly miss (l've been thinking about my huge comfy hoodie I used to wear every Sunday)
• I'm swapping my clothes for pieces I didn’t bring the first time to refresh my style and, most importantly, to take back the clothes I didn’t get a chance to wear because, as it turns out, I didn’t actually like them.

🍝 4. Food That Feels Like Home

Nothing hits harder than that moment mid-term when you suddenly crave something only your family makes. It’s not even about the taste, it’s the feeling of it.

Last term, I didn’t bring any ingredients from home because I thought I’d just “make do.” But now I realise how much a simple meal can turn a long, grey London evening into something warm and grounding.

So this time, I’m packing a few little things that remind me of home such as my favourite spices, a few snacks, maybe even that one sauce or seasoning that just tastes right. Cooking with those feels like a tiny ritual that connects me back to home, even from my student kitchen.

It’s less about the food itself and more about recreating that feeling of familiarity! Also it's a perfect opportunity to share your favorite food with your new friends :)