Thread 31 Covid Cohort - Hopping through Easter and Revision

[OrangeCinnamonCroissant]

This is a thread for supporting all young people post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting. It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, please don't within this thread. Please also be sensitive when responding to threads about grades.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this will continue.

Our DS/DD may go down various paths (such as employment, apprenticeships, higher ed) We have decided for anyone interested they will most likely find us within the Further Ed board.

previous Thread 30

I've made this one a little bit earlier as things are so busy, at home and on thread, so please feel free to use up previous thread first

I’ve suggested dd just takes the quilt and bedding she has now as we’ve got spares, plus she’s got fairy lights, extra lamp, mugs etc. No need for pots and pans as she’s in catered. I think the only thing we need to buy is a small laundry basket! I also thought maybe she should take her extension cable too. What sort of things have you bought already?

@Seeline would afternoon tea in a posh hotel be too tame for DD? Can combine with a spa day and can involve prosecco for over 18s, but maybe that is too middle-aged?

Re university shopping, plastic (but realistic) plants, first aid kit, rug to make room homely were all good (the real plants were a pain as he had to bring them home in the holidays, and were not in great shape after being left to his tender ministrations). Also got throw and cushions which DS1 took first year, but did not bother to take second year, but he is a boy! The reading pillows I got DS1 and his GF for Christmas have been a great success.

Things i've bought:

Storage containers
Blanket
a few scatter cushions to make it cosy with matching rug
Duvet set
Sheets
(Dishes and mugs from old stuff at home)
Cutlery
Wash bowl
Plastic bucket
New dressing gown
Coat
Towel
Liquidiser
Sandwich maker

Lovely idea @Monkey2001 but not DDs thing (coupled with the fact that she doesn't eat gluten and GF afternoon teas are almost impossible to find - I tried to find one for my Mum). Also, it's a mixed group of friends and I'm not sure the boys would really appreciate the spa day 😀

@crazycrofter will your DD not need cutlery, plates and bowls for late night cereal/toast top ups, takeaways etc? Definitely get an extension cable.

An airer/clothes horse thingy is useful if they are allowed them in their rooms. Most don't allow heated ones, but an ordinary one is usually OK.

Yes @Seeline that was the other thing I thought of - clothes airer. I was just going to send her with a couple of Home Bargains bowls, some of our cutlery and she’s already got mugs, throws, a rug, cushions etc.

Watching your lists, taking notes. I tried to talk to ds about this before. Totally non interested, minimalist. No fairy lights, photographs, plants, rugs, cushions, throws, here.

Like others he's catered at Rutland.
So needs minimal stuff. My list so far is:

Airer
Doorstop
Extension cable
Porridge pan and porridge storage
Omelette pan & scrambled egg maker.
Under bed slim storage boxes.
Mug, bowl, cutlery.

We haven't bought anything yet, DS still feels a bit wobbly about going so I don't want to push him, also he has applied for catered halls so won't need too much kitchen stuff. We have quite a lot of spares, camping stuff etc I am going to raid, he already has duvet, pillows, phone chargers aplenty etc for boarding. So probably a few bits to get but no rush ATM. I am aware of the rush on Ikea / Dunelm etc though, I always avoid those places in late Aug / early Sept since a friend tipped me off a few years ago.

Clothes hangers

Oh yes, we need to remember to take coat hangers from home. I’m currently looking at mortgage illustrations (we’re having to borrow more to move!) and feeling wobbly about the new monthly costs, so the less I can spend the better! 😂

Mattress topper if you know the size of bed. Can be nice to have something new between your DC and whatever went on in that bed previously!

If getting a 120cm bed I would advise normal double bedding and topper so that they can use it if they get a full double next year. It worked for DS1's GF.

St Andrews parents are very keen on bed raisers so you get more under-bed storage, but that is probably particularly relevant for international students.

Dd has her own airer already ...it is supposed to encourage her to do her own washing 🙄

I need to train my two not to put a pair of jeans in the wash after only wearing them for a few hours after school one day.

Yes @EspeciallyDistracted ! Washing barely worn clothes… I’m hoping that will change when it’s costing her!

Ah @Monkey2001 that's what mattress toppers are for! 😂

I think DS has most of what he needs from college. Had a load of enquires from buyer's solicitor plus a request for completion on the date of DS's last exam. Am going to have to say no, there's the contingency day on 29th June they need to be available for. We have so much stuff to move one removal company has declined and referred us to a larger one. Dreading the quotes coming in !

That's a good point about ikea and dunelm. I was thinking to wait till results day, but maybe after exams we'll do some. Until accommodation is confirmed though it's v tricky esp bed sizes.

@EspeciallyDistracted this is DD too. Even try something on then change mind and I find it in the wash bin or crumpled heap on the floor! Once exams are over washing will be handed over aswell.

DD had her DSA all approved so now about 5 emails to sort things with different providers and she’s just got the email for accommodation to complete.

Glad the washing after one wearing isn't just DD. Big sweaters worn over a t-shirt are put in the wash straight away.

DD's school is doing email results. No going in. Is this what everyone else is doing?

We finally have some good news. DD got an offer from Bristol today 🎉. Due to our post code it is very achievable ABB 😁

Great news @Hattifatteners 👏

Great news @Hattifatteners

Brilliant news @Hattifatteners !

@volterra I’m dreading discussions about completion date! We haven’t got anywhere to go yet either and two of our main possibilities (of 3!) aren’t available til December!

Great news Hatti, will she have Bristol as her insurance or is it her favourite?

Great news @Hatti.
DD has loved Bristol but isn't quite so keen on Somerset... However only one more year to go & it's a clinical year.