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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

She's off to uni in a few weeks - what does she really need to take?

163 replies

oldenoughtowearpurple · 19/08/2011 08:52

So DD is off to self-catered uni accommodation for her first year. The accommodation is downright palatial - ensuite, new-build flats for 4-6 mixed sex sharers (not like it was in MY day, I can tell you).

What does she really need to take with her? all hints and tips gratefully received.

OP posts:
BecauseImWorthIt · 29/08/2011 21:48

I had noticed that - but will probably be easier to stick with the Halifax as DS has 3 accounts with them (and I have a perverse hatred of Santander!)

However, I will look into it, as the extra Endsleigh insurance is from £7.99 a month, which is a lot.

Ponders · 29/08/2011 21:53

hatred of Santander is not at all perverse Grin

mumofsoontobelawstudent · 30/08/2011 08:56

morning all, so are a lot of your DC going self-catering? DS is catered and only needs to fend for himself at lunchtime so hopefully won't need to take huge amounts of kitchen stuff.

Hadn't thought about insurance, will get him to look into this.

He has not opened a student bank account yet. He had a few accounts at Halifax who seem ok and has upgraded one to a current account and also opened a Nationwide flexaccount but has not got an overdraft facility as yet. Am I right in thinking that student bank accounts have better/more reasonable overdraft facilities? Think the Halifax account (if its the same as mine) charges 1 pound a day for every day overdrawn. Bloody thieves!

mumeeee · 30/08/2011 09:19

Mumofsoontobestudent. I would get him to open a student account. Theybare more geared to students then an ordinary currant account and gave free overdrafts. I know you wouldn't want him to go into an overdraft but this does sometimes happen. With a student account there aren't any charges.

IShallWearMidnight · 30/08/2011 09:41

DD1 can't open a student account yet as teh sudent loans people haven't managed to sort out her application fiasco (she filled in the form online, we filled in the "self employed parents use a different year's income" form, the online system decided that she hadn't completed the form so didn't actually submit it, but wouldn't alllow her back in to see what was wrong, but although they've somehow managed ot process our form, it's not linked to her application which they were insisting hadn't been submitted. Apparently she now has the tuition fees, but they're still thinking about the maintenance loan [sigh]) adn she needs the letter from them as part of her accoutn application. And because they also haven't managed to talk to the university, she can't register with the university either, although has managed to confirm her accomodation (which I now have to pay for till the loan situation gets resolved......)

Something else to check by way of stuff to bring, apparently the washing machines in DDs halls don't have a powder dispenser, so she needs to bring either tablets, or a dosing ball to go inside the drum. Also they'll probably need a connector cable to join laptop to internet (ethernet cable? [dimbo techy person here] as they usually aren't supplied.

Ponders · 30/08/2011 10:02

yes, the free overdraft is the big advantage of student accounts, mos - the amounts vary though (they mostly say "up to" a large amount but only give about £500 initially)

the T&Cs for unauthorised o/ds are the thing to watch - if they go over the limit by eg a fiver will they be clobbered with unpaid item fees. Santander are particularly bad for this I think.

Nationwide don't do one, but Halifax do, so he might be best going with them as he's already in

follyfoot · 30/08/2011 18:27

DD has been told not to bother bringing any pens, pencils etc as they will get that all free at the freshers fairs. Thought that might be helpful to the rest of you.

acsec · 30/08/2011 22:43

But the best bit of going back to school/ uni is nice new stationary!! The pens you get at Freshers Fair aren't always full of ink, like the Red Cross etc pens that sometimes come through your front door.

EduStudent · 30/08/2011 22:49

Bring nice pens so you can go shopping in Paperchase for lectures, and use the other ones for trying to carve notes into pieces of paper when the ink runs out after 3 words Wink

But look out for the free pizza. We had Dominoes and Pizza Hut. They were trying to outdo each other in giving away free stuff. Bliss.

follyfoot · 31/08/2011 06:41

I love stationery too, but do they actually use a pen or a pencil these days Confused

mumeeee · 31/08/2011 09:02

Yes they do use a pen. Well DD2 dies to take notes in lectures. She then uses the notes tot type her assignments.. She doesn't take her laptop to lecturers.

ajandjjmum · 31/08/2011 09:15

oldenoughtowearpurple
Thanks - he's worked really hard on it, and is so excited, and learning so much. I shall pass your comment on!

DS found a Lesco type wall chart REALLY helpful - highlighted when work had to be in, weekends home etc. Also birthdays that could be easily forgotten!

delphinedownunder · 31/08/2011 09:21

A stovetop expresso maker, coffee beans and a grinder. Smells great and all new friends will think she is so sophisticated!

gingeroots · 31/08/2011 20:29

Can someone recommend a wall planner - have just looked on Amazon ,but finding seeing what they're like tricky .
Would need to cater for DS's rather ungainly handwriting ....
Pathetic to ask I know ,but I'm sure there are stationery experts on this thread and I'm spurned on by finding the recommendation here for the perfect mattress topper/cover that I've been searching for ...

ajandjjmum · 31/08/2011 21:04

I got DS's from Staples last year.

follyfoot · 31/08/2011 21:18

Mmm I'm going to get that mattress topper too, looks perfect

lovemydog · 31/08/2011 21:32

For anybody thinking about insurance check your own household policy first. Our Direct Line policy covers DS's possessions in hall and out and about. (I checked when renewing the policy).

gingeroots · 31/08/2011 22:16

Yes probably best for me to spur myself on to look at some in a shop ,rather than on line .

gingeroots · 31/08/2011 22:17

Was thinking a hot water bottle might be a good present .

acsec · 31/08/2011 22:50

Yes a hot water bottle would be a good present - in my shared house we were all too poor to have the heating on!

Ponders · 01/09/2011 11:38

our house insurance is AA & it doesn't cover students

we have DS2's bike on it; apparently it would be covered if stolen anywhere in the country except at university - what's that about??? Hmm

Staples have a 15% off deal at the moment but you have to download a voucher, I will link it in a sec Smile

Ponders · 01/09/2011 11:39

\link{http://www.staples.co.uk/bts4\Staples voucher} - it runs until Sep 17th

Ponders · 01/09/2011 11:42

It is just for "school supplies" though:

'Not valid on purchases of PCs, laptops, tablets, Amazon Kindle, printers, faxes, shredders, mobile phones, mobile broadband, ink and toner, business machines, box and ream paper, Copy & Print Centre services, hard drives, gift vouchers, postage stamps, DHL, EasyTech services and Complete Care Plans. Staples reserve the right to amend product qualification.'

(which is fair enough)

LaineyW · 01/09/2011 17:58

oldenoughtowearpurple, your DD's accommodation sounds exactly like my DD's... is she going to Lincoln (Junxion) by any chance? No problem if you'd rather not say!

JobCarHouseNoBaby · 01/09/2011 18:12

I agree with EduStudent's list on the first page of this blog, plus

Somewhere safe (e.g. cash box) to keep valuables
A tall mirror - go to Ikea or The Range when you get there (I didn't have one and had to stand on my loo to see myself in the bathroom mirror)
TV Licence - don't get fined like my hall roomates did. You need one even if you're in halls, if you watch tv on the laptop and even if the tv is only used for playing dvds.
Take DVDs - I was tremendously homesick in the first few months and comforting DVDs were great to watch in bed

Only buy cheap as chips plates, cups, glasses, saucepans. I had nice ones and they were all broken/stolen in the first month. So much so that I started keeping them in my room rather than the kitchen.

Also know when it's appropriate to leave as a parent, as difficult as it may be. One of my friend's mum just literally dumped and left - leaving my friend feeling like an abandoned child. But mine were there ALL day, even got to teh point when our flat were talking about going for a drink and my dad wanted to come! (Majorly not good)