Ideas thread for what to take/not take to Uni.......

[MissMarplesBloomers]

We have found already that the student forum on the Warwick Uni website has been a valuabel resource.

Also advice from past students on here & other friends so thought I'd share a few "ooh ...good tip" moments that we've already had as the lists are mounting up!!

-Keep stuff to take to a minimum, check the list of stuff provided first or else the kitchens end up with 8/10 sets of everything by the end of first week.

-ditto for groceries, stick to dry/tins so tehy last longer & the shared cupboard in the kitchen/fridge shelf may not be that big!

• plain white china/crocks can be muddled/lost/appropriated with all the other IKEA stuff in the kitchen, a couple of granny's patterned plates will stand out as yours & can be found cheaply in charity shops. Ditto cutlery. Then no biggy if it doesn't come home at end of term.

-some halls provide linen/bedding but having your own from home helps with the settling in. Eg DD is taking her double duvet & own covers as that is snuggly on a single bed.

-lots of pound coins for laundry & buses.

-Double up the amount of underwear you pack, you'll be too busy the first week to do washing!

Loads more I'm sure, all little things but useful!

Please share your top tips

Fairdene I find that at uni it's not something people generally know about because it's not something that is talked about or advertised by our student gp. TThat's probably why the nurse is prescribing large amounts as they are not aware or it/don't want the lhassle of claiming it or else they are not eligible for it as they have too much savings.

Ds has just discovered that at Southampton all undergrad students receive an 'Entitlement Card'. This is a chip and pin card which is pre-loaded with £300 for students to use around campus for things like a bus pass, gym membership, books, stationery, various SU things like film nights, other equipment like laptop lock or bike packs (lights, D lock, etc). This is re-filled every year and can be topped up from home too. Given that the bus pass is included in his hall fees in year 1 this seems quite generous. Might be worth finding out if other universities have a similar scheme.

Door stop
Coins for laundry - DD went to Natwest before with about £30 and got it divided into £1 20p and 50p as that was what was needed for the laundry
DD took her own mugs (a stackable set from m and s) which were great for keeping in her room away from messy housemates who may use them and not wash them up.
Rug - DD had a horrible floor, this made it much more homely
A sponge bag suitable to hold shampoo/conditioner/razor etc to take to the shower and back (if you leave it in there everyone else will help themselves)
Folders to put notes in
Bedside table - DD didn't have one
Clothes horse

Try to gently remind them about valuables, as others have said, many innocently leave their door open or assume they know/trust everyone but often halls mean students/anyone can reach through windows/get into rooms easily. Remind them to lock their room, not leave valuables by windows or in easy view etc.

That's very good Isingsoprono. I haven't heard of any other universities doing this, DD3 is getting DSA allowance so she's getting a laptop and printer. provided which is a great help.

Some universities allow you to use your topped up university card for the laundry too so no need for lots of coins.
What a great scheme at Southampton university - sadly there wasn't one like this at my DC's universities!

I think its probably post the £9k fee hike as DS at Southampton (last year of £3k fees) doesn't get this help

OTOH DS2 starting Warwick gets all first 1st year text books and essential safety equipment supplied free of charge.

Yes, it says on the Southampton website that it is to offset the £9000 fees.
That's great about the free text books too JG at Warwick.

to quote tesco
every little helps..........

Though keeping the fees at £3k would help more in the longer term!

Haha - I was going to say that JGBMum

JGB Warwick do this student/parent catering card too which I think DD might do.

You can put some money in the account but the card is only topped up to £50 pw (or whatever you like I think you can set the limit) and they have a PIN so if it gets lost they can freeze the account .

Thought I might get her one of those & stick the first bit on then she's sorted. You can use it in any of the eateries around campus & they do discounts if you use it for a healthy meal option (ie lasagne & salad) rather than say scrisps & coke! Also saves carrying too much cash.

Your comment was - and was clearly intended to be - offensive, Fairdene. The reply was politer than you deserved.

I was surprised to discover today that one of my DCs friends didn't know about megabus uk.megabus.com/ Although there are limited destinations, you have to travel at odd times and book promptly to get the really cheap fares this site can be very useful (especially for those in London going home). Also some might benefit from reading this website www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/Teenagers-cash-class

Your comment was - and was clearly intended to be - offensive, Fairdene. The reply was politer than you deserved.

I was surprised to discover today that one of my DCs friends didn't know about megabus uk.megabus.com/ Although there are limited destinations, you have to travel at odd times and book promptly to get the really cheap fares this site can be very useful (especially for those in London going home). Also some might benefit from reading this website www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/Teenagers-cash-class

apologies for double post - my machine hangs at times

all very interesting tips, thanks all

Ds now has both grandmothers on the case, offering him an assortment of useful and not so useful items. I think I'll leave him to negotiate with them..... hehehehe!

In case this link hasn't already been posted www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/What_To_Take_To_University

very funny soprano :)

Oooooh- Master Soprano will have LOTS of lovely stuff to hide from his flatmates take to Uni

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but a TV licence is needed if they have a TV in their halls room.

You have to pay for a year, but you can claim back what you paid over the summer.

DD paid her TV licence by monthly installments then cancelled at the end of the academic year. It was probably slightly more expensive that way but there was no hassle about claiming back and also no settling up with housemates after they had gone their separate ways.

...do you need a TV licence if the TV is only used as a monitor for X-Box station ??

lookoveryourshouldernow no, but it helps if they fill this in www.tvlicensing.co.uk/no-licence-needed/

getting very close now..

DS has asked me to put nametapes on his more expensive clothing and towels, he is worried in case he forgets to take his washing out of the machines and someone else fancies some of his belongings. It's years since I sewed in nametapes, I hate it so he is going to get a bit of a shock when I ask him to help this evening. I can't see that it would stop anyone, but maybe it would make them think twice and the thought of it seems to be giving him peace of mind.

madeofkent. This won't happen at DD3's uni. The washing machines actually email the student when Their washing is done and apparently only that student can get the washing out. Not sure how this works though. You are right don't think it will actually help because those that are going to take suff won't think twice about just removing the name tapes.