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Higher education

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

Original poster

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

424 replies

MissMarplesBloomers · 17/08/2013 11:37

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

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LittleBearPad · 05/09/2013 12:20

I wouldn't put name tapes on his clothes and towels. It won't stop somebody nicking them if they really want and DH insists it may hamper his romantic chances.

MollyBerry · 05/09/2013 23:02

I sew name tags in my clothes at home as they got stolen by siblings at home, being at uni was a relief from having clothes taken!

MABS · 11/09/2013 16:07

all ready for the off? We leave first thing Sat to drop her in Newcastle.

MABS · 11/09/2013 16:07

all ready for the off? We leave first thing Sat to drop her in Newcastle.

Original poster
MissMarplesBloomers · 11/09/2013 17:41

Are you all packed MABS or still sitting on suitcases trying to squeeeze it all in???!

THe pile of stuff to pack/take is starting to overtake the spare room!

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Lifeisontheup · 11/09/2013 17:55

I am struggling with packing for DS off to Venice tomorrow(Modern languages 3rd year), when he went in the UK 2 years ago I had a vague idea what would be there and what he could get locally at a reasonable price. Venice is a whole new ball game. How do you pack for a whole term in 2 cases?

On the plus side we were in Spain last week and his spanish was amazing, chatting to taxi drivers and waiters, translating our complicated food requests with confidence. Not sure what I thought he'd been doing for the past 2 years but I was very proud. Smile

Original poster
MissMarplesBloomers · 11/09/2013 18:43

awww Life he sounds a boy to definitely be proud of!

Only thing I know about Venice is its bloody expensive so maybe lots of snacky bits & plenty of basics?

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Lifeisontheup · 11/09/2013 20:35

They don't get a kitchen, just a 'breakfast corner' with a microwave, he's in uni rooms which are twin rooms. The canteen is open for meals which are about 6 euros. It's all a bit different to driving him to halls in the UK, I'm sure he'll cope though, it'll just be me waiting for his text to say he's safely registered.

MABS · 11/09/2013 21:51

am looking at the pile, and the car, they don't match :(

mumeeee · 11/09/2013 22:43

Our car is not very well at the momentSad . So DH has hired a big estate car although we won't know how big it is until he picks it up on Friday afternoon. Hopefully we will get all DD3's stuff in it. She is insisting on taking her keyboard and stand with her. I'm not sure how she thinks it is all going to fit into her small room in halls. Perhaps she thinks she has a magically expanding one. Grin

madeofkent · 11/09/2013 22:51

Oh lord, I had forgotten the keyboard, the guitar and the amplifier, and only remembered the nice small clarinet. No chance, maybe we could fit a hammock to the ceiling?

Lifeisontheup · 12/09/2013 05:39

I'm up to take DS to the airport for his flight to Venice. I'm really going to miss him.Sad It seems such a long way away even though logically it takes about the same time to get there.
Think he's a bit nervous and sad as he is leaving his GF behind. She'll be visiting him next month and we'll go out in November (any excuse to go to Venice) so I've got that to look forward to.Smile
A good journey to all those taking DC's today. Stay safe.

Original poster
MissMarplesBloomers · 12/09/2013 05:47

Go luck to this weeks batch of chicks leaving the nest!

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Viasabat · 12/09/2013 05:48

Having worked at a uni for several years, students always turn up with out coat hangers.

Original poster
MissMarplesBloomers · 12/09/2013 05:55

I am using this as a way of recyling all my crappy hangers Via! Grin

Good way of making friends by handing out spares!!!

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StabInTheDark · 12/09/2013 09:23

Well... DD leaves TOMORROW and we are only just starting to pack. We've had things stacked up in her room for weeks but have been delaying the actual packing. Today is going to be interesting- we seem to have conflicting ideas on what is necessary.

Also, could anybody advise me on how much money I should put in her account for Freshers and to live off until her loan comes in? Sorry, I'm totally clueless.

melodyangel · 12/09/2013 10:01

Lifeisontheup - Wow Venice! I would definitly take full advantage. Good luck today hope it goes well.

Packing going well here but you now have to tread very carefully in DS's room as it is a bombsite.

DS1 seems fine about not taking his bass and amp and thankfully he didn't even bother to ask about the double bass! Managed to persude him to leave the PS3 at home too, at least for this term.

Good luck to all those going off this week.

MABS · 12/09/2013 15:51

good question Redstarburst!

DalmationDots · 12/09/2013 15:52

TheRedStarburst her loan should come in on the first day of term/freshers- it should say on the letter from SF the exact date. I didn't fund DC's student years as I couldn't but their grandparents gave them £50 for freshers and I left them with lots of food, a bit of alcohol for pre-drinking, toiletries etc. which helped a lot :)

Original poster
MissMarplesBloomers · 12/09/2013 16:12

The Uni let the SF know when you have actually enrolled so there may be a delay until it's paid in but hopefully not much! DD has had to do a pre -enrollment thing so I guess once they know you are actually there they'll hand over the dosh!

I'm sending DD with a load of basics food supplies & she is getting a prepaid card for freshers week (loads of discounts on events ) and she has her savings from working all over the summer so fingers crossed she will be OK

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MABS · 12/09/2013 17:01

yesterday SL told me it will be in account 7-10 days after enrolment .

melodyangel · 12/09/2013 17:20

Spare fuses and bin bags are the new things we have added to the growing pile of stuff today. DS gave me a smile and said I love you mum when I put them in the box.

Original poster
MissMarplesBloomers · 12/09/2013 17:44

Melody Tissues?

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Original poster
MissMarplesBloomers · 12/09/2013 17:44

Melody Tissues?

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Original poster
MissMarplesBloomers · 12/09/2013 17:45

oops.......double strength tissues?!

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