Preparing for Uni in 2015

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Carrying on from yr13 thread, here thought we could share our ideas for Uni preparation.

All welcome, not just those in above thread. Would especially appreciate contributions from those who have 'been there'

Topics that spring to mind, and a few recent threads on them are :

What to take What to take , What NOT to take, Shared accommodation

Clearing out rooms

How much to contribute What does it cost, How much needed weekly, How much are you subbing

Budgeting, cooking, and other life skills to learn Easy recipes for teens

Leaving friends, family, boy/girlfriends behind

Us coping without them - noted series of 'Empty Nest' threads.

Hope all the links correct!

I am not thinking about anything until the 13th.
I can't.
We have GCSE results as well in our house.

Same here re GCSE results; stressful year!

Also divorced!!!

Extra stressful year!!

Have asked dd2, now going into 3rd year, what she wished she had had when she first went into self catered halls.
She says she wishes she had had slippers/crocs/flip flops as kitchen floors are rank, equally rubber gloves for washing up. Best thing was a cheese grater.
Top tips from her are not to go home the first weekend, even if you are homesick, and to join some clubs.

Catered Hall:

Mugs (probably not allowed a kettle in their room)
Duvet (change of linen, ha ha ha)
Pillows
Throw
Writing paper
Pens
Couple of lever arch files
Books
Coffee
Powdered Milk
Teaspoons
fork
spoon (the kit they have had for scout camp stuff is fine)
biscuits
Cereal bars
Pot noodly stuff
Couple of pairs of jeans
Track bottoms
couple of sweat shirts
T shirts
pants
socks
jamas (if they wear)
coat
shoes
trainers
toiletries
phone charger
lap top and charger
Ruck sack
Laundry bag
light weight foldaway bags and those big check laundry bags
£100 in notes

If they need more stuff, you do realise you will want to see them in the first month and they will want to see you and this is a perfect opportunity to take more stuff. Applies of course to those within a five hour drive of home!

It's really good to book hotels well in advance because uni towns get booked up and the best deals are available months ahead. Book the premier inn, etc., now and you can cancel free of charge if they don't get their results. It will be much more expensive after that.

Hard to book Premier Inn if we don't have details of what day they are to be there. I thought they got allocated a day and time slot for arriving?

DD has been allocated an arrival slot , it's going to be a stressful time as there's a Rugby World Cup game being played nearby at the same time !

And obviously DS wants to be taken back the same day , we don't think we can manage London and Gloucester in the same day from South Wales ( let alone fit everything in the car )

I don't know if this has been mentioned , but when they're youre in the room unpacking , leave the door open , wedged with a shoe or something , others checking in will be able to introduce themselves

doilooklikeatourist, your DD has an arrival time already? Wonder if DS has? He's abroad until Saturday with limited internet access, so might find out more when he returns.
I thought they wouldn't get a time slot until their place at Uni was confirmed.

Two weeks on Thursday until Results!!!

It's the same weekend to arrive so I don't know why you need the timeslot to book an hotel.

For the lady with two due back on the same day surely the newbie gets taken in the car and the 2nd or 3rd year returner gets the train with what's needed for a week and you visit with the rest the following weekend. I suppose they could both be newbies. One with mum, one with dad and hire a car for the weekend if you gave to?

Well ex h is refusing to have anything to do with the move to uni, so I will be facing my demons and going on the motorway for the first time in 30 years. A good way to conquer my fears!

I am having to deal with my mother in the midst of all of this... She is moaning that she will not get to see DS anymore. I said we won't see much of him either. Oh but you will get to speak to him all the time. No I bloody well won't mother. I am not going to harass him or insist he calls me. I will go by what he wants to do. She thinks I am being very cold hearted. My dads face was a picture as she is saying all of this . I was never allowed to go away on school trips as no one could look after me like she could... She still tries to control everything now!

Will get DS to check his emails to see if he has got a day/time slot yet. We are only about 90 minutes away so no need for us to book a hotel. Although months ago I did look and even for a Travel Lodge/Premier Inn
they seemed to be charging the earth.

I do know that students can arrive from the 10th at Northumbria but am hoping DS gets the weekend as I work in a school and will have only just gone back. Wouldn't like to be asking for more time off

mrsd - how far will you have to drive? Your exh sounds rather nice!

You can phone and explain circumstances that affect when you can travel. They are very helpful. Remember you are paying them thousands for this accommodation and you can be a teeny bit assertive to make sure things suit or suit better than what's originally proposed.

Thanks Beau, will do that if I don't get the weekend.

Only 2 hours max

mrsdavidbowie I was terrified of driving on motorways. I have driven for 40 years but DH always did long trips. When DS1 got to the stage of looking at unis 2 years ago I took the plunge and drove him to a uni 140 miles away for a taster day. It was the first of many trips. It gets easier. I cannot pretend to enjoy the driving but I don't even have a sleepless night beforehand.
Plus he passed his test at 17 and once he had a few months practise I let him share the driving.
Bringing him home in the car at the start of the holidays is a joy I get him all to myself for 3 hours.

Oh and as far as I can tell everyone takes the "arrival slot" with a pinch of salt.

Ty secretsquirrels
I can manage the A3 no problem

We can do the firm in 4.5hrs, so have decided no hotel necessary!

Horsemad I don't think she has a time yet , it is obviously going to be extra crowded with the rugby , I think it's just a warning to be aware of it beforehand ( does that make sense ? )
But yes , she needs to get the grades to get the place .
We've paid £200 deposit , and get £150 back if she doesn't need the room

BeaufortBelle yes that's what we're going to do , either take DS back on Friday , or shove him and as much as he can carry on the train and take the rest up later

How do I our dc find out who else is in their accommodation block? TSR? or Facebook?

Either, I would think TongueBiter

I would think FB is the way to find out Tongue