Can't believe I'm asking about bags for Uni, but.....

[mumblechum1]

I know, it's a ridiculous thing to ask but I know you lot will know. DS off to Uni in a 9 days [sob], his school rucksack is in shreds, what do uni students carry their beer and fags books around in? He has about 1 mile to walk to the campus.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Hasn't he got any views himself?

Maybe a Converse bag, or an old school Dunlop or something of that ilk? Or there are loads of backpacks around, with all sorts of names/prints.

[Chivetalking]

DS uses a Dunlop messenger bag and DD uses either a Superdry messenger bag or a decorated denim messenger style bag. Would suggest similar

[eatyourveg]

ds is going to use his messenger bag from school - a grey canvas thing which use to be covered with tons of metal badges but he took them all off a few months ago - no idea why

[OverTheFieldsAndFarAway]

I'm pretty sure he will be capable of sorting his own bag out.

[UnicornsNotRiddenByGrownUps]

Depends how close to uni he lives. Me and DH had small rucksacks for uni and still have them. For part of it we were very grateful to have a decent bag as folders and bags get heavy. Also useful for carrying heavy grocery shopping in or beer!

[mumblechum1]

Yes he would be capable if he was here. He got back from Reading on Mon (I hadn't seen him for 5 weeks as I just got back from California), home for 2 days, currently off in Cornwall, back for 2 days next week some time then to Uni next Saturday.

So it's just one thing I thought I could maybe get a head start on iykwim.

[RenterNomad]

A rucksack is the most sensible and ergonomic bag possible!

[MariscallRoad]

Good question. DS carries books, laptop, snacks and water bottles etc most time in a large backpack which gives hands free. The problem is that when the backpack is too heavy it rubs on the clothes at the back and wears them out. He alternatively uses a luggage on wheels - sometimes. The problem with any of these is that they are not waterproof and rain and snow can get inside. What he then does is to use the backpack and a waterproof bag separately for books and paper. Each backpack does not last over a year and seems and handle start to split.. The wheeled luggage lasts longer but water can get there and damage the laptop. The problem with the wheeled luggage is that in some places they ask you to put it in the hold, whereas the backpack you take with you.

[MariscallRoad]

Another thing to take care is when liquids are carried in any bag is best to wrap them in plastic bags before because some can break and leak when they are squashed.

[alreadytaken]

well mine chose a new rucksack with an internal laptop pocket and space for a file. Side pocket for water bottle and a hole in the top so the phone can be inside the rucksack and the earphones still in use. A plastic big liner is their normal method of waterproofing but we have sprayed one (probably with Nikwax products) in the past.

I was warned that things get stolen from rucksacks unless padlocked but the laptop pocket is so tight I doubt a thief could remove it.

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

If your DS can't sort out his own bag for Uni, I don't fancy his chances very much if he is living away from home...

[badguider]

I'm sorry but the answer to your question is 'nothing bought for them by their mums'

Where is he going to Uni? Surely it's a city of some sort, or at least a large town, there will be bags on sale, he can buy one in fresher's week.

[Cloudkitten]

But why do you need to get "a head start" on his bag for him? There will be evenings, weekends, slots of time in the first couple of weeks for him to sort himself out... He is best choosing something himself that works for him, once he's there, and there will be plenty of other students on campus with bags and laptops etc, so he will very quickly be able to work it out himself.

Part of the fun of uni is doing things like that. Sorting out the small, do-able details is part of the early days of coping with living away from home for the first time. I remember feeling pretty grown up because I was able to buy a winter coat by myself in my first month at uni without my mum looking over my shoulder/having an opinion/commenting on how practical is was/wasn't etc. Getting yourself sorted is part of the uni experience.

[DalmationDots]

Has he brought it up or is it you forgetting he isn't starting secondary, but UNI?!

If he is asking your opinion, that is different. Otherwise just leave it to him, it is his problem.

Don't worry this was me 5 years ago when DS started... you learn!!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Then again, if Mumble's son isn't really bothered and is busy, it's a nice thing for Mumble to do. Personally, I wouldn't buy my dd a bag without her input, because knowing her she wouldn't like the one I'd chosen, but there are other things I've bought her for uni, even though I'm sure she would be capable of going and buying them herself.

[eatyourveg]

I bought ds a small tin box with a lock on yesterday for him to keep his passport/birth certificate etc safe. It was met with "Buy it if it makes you feel better, I'll take it with me but don't expect me to ever use it" I took it back.

I think if OP wants to buy the bag to save her ds the hassle then thats fine - Mums like to feel useful, everyone copes with dc flying the nest in different ways - buying a bag is no different than buying a duvet, set of towels, saucepans etc or anything else which many parents will be getting. I'm getting ds very little, he's taking things from home including sheets, duvets, towels and pans and I'm having the new stuff

[noddyholder]

I will prob buy ds one as he has been working loads and is going to a festival for 5 days while I have v little on. It is not a sign of interfering I think they will have enough to do! Clothes and stuff he can do himself but its nice to get involved a bit and my son seems to be fine with it and even -gasp- likes it!

[alreadytaken]

The young man has two days to get everything ready, if he isn't fussy it's one less thing to worry about and if he is he'll take it back but at least it reminds him to get one. Once they arrive at uni he can happily spend his time sleeping off his hangover meeting people and making friends instead of being one of those people who have to run around buying everything they need.

[mumblechum1]

Thanks for understanding Noddy, Already et al. I'm so not a helicopter parent but he has two days (two afternoons, really as he doesn't emerge before 12 to do a million and one things. I probably wont actually end up buying the bag, I was just having one of those wobbly moments when I posted the OP!

[DalmationDots]

Sorry for my maybe a bit mean reply, it really isn't the end of the world if you buy one, it isn't going to mean aged 40 he is still waiting for you to buy his bag to go to work!! Just knowing my DS he wouldn't have used anything I bought as I'd be wrong but DD would have loved me to.

And I was just as worried when my DC went off don't worry, it gets easier.

[mumblechum1]

You weren't being mean DD!

[Isthiscorrect]

Slightly off topic but eatyourveg said about a tin box for docs. If her ds wasnt planning on using said tin box, where do students keep their stuff like passport etc?

[goinggetstough]

Sadly in my experience isthis students keep their important documents wherever they put them down last! At least this is what one of my DCs did. They both had box files from WHSmiths. It is worth the container being reasonably large so that complete envelopes ( bank statements) can be put in the box file. Bank statements don't seem to be open these days as they have access to their accounts on their phones.

[HerrenaHarridan]

On the floor

[StrangeGlue]

I think a lot leave things they don't need regularly (passport, paper driving license counterpart) at home and go paperless with bank stuff.