Preparing for Uni in 2015

[circular]

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 think DS's bed looks quite narrow from the pics on website; info says they are single. The bed appears to be the exact width of the pillow in the pic, whereas on his single bed here, he has an overlap either side if his pillow.

just found out my DS is enrolled on his course because he followed are you ready steps on soton site.

Bed sizes. I'm wondering. Look single by picture. Wessex lane - monte

Yes, absolutely check re beds. I bought a single duvet in the sale only to find her bed is a 'three quarter' double. Arse!

DD has her lecture time table and a welcome letter from the senior tutor. She's also a keen rower and is In contact with the coaching staff.

Her first friend to go went yesterday, to Durham. She's a serious hockey player and has gone for pre season. Sad goodbyes. It feels real now!

Dechorate, my nephew is going to Leeds it was his 1st choice and he got his offer on Thursday , so may be worth a call.
My DD is off to Warwick and they don't let them know until the week of the 7 Sept.
Mrs Bartlett, DD desperate to go to Ikea, as we hate the place we have said we will pay extra Not to go, DD says it s a very important part of Uni prep !

Mattress toppers, I have had toppers from Summit Toppers, they were really good quality and an highly recommend them .

DD is confirmed at Warwick but we are still waiting on her French Oral priority remark as her oral was a lower Mark than expected. Do any of you have experience of Oral remarks ?

Decorhate - time for a phone call I think!

I've been in almost complete meltdown this week over accommodation. Website said offers to those who applied before deadline were going out from Monday last week. By close of play Wednesday we'd heard nothing and a little niggle started in my head. I suggested ds should ring and just check his application had been received but he told me to stop fussing. By Thursday lunchtime I cracked and rang just to check it was ok that we hadn't heard. I wasn't going to tell ds but the lovely lady I spoke to in the accommodation office suggested he came to the phone and she would check they had his application, which they had. He didn't actually hear until late yesterday afternoon. He didn't get any of his choices, which were all on campus, but has been given one of the most expensive rooms in a block about a mile away. It looks fantastic, but very posh and I'm now worrying that it may not have a reasonably good social mix.

DD had her beloved wicker bike basket (used all through Cambridge) nicked in London . I think she'd rather they'd taken the very old bike . So try and fix them on if you can . ESSENTIAL to D lock the the bike.But DD 2 had (very old)bike nicked in a Sainsbury's car park in Manchester. Tbf it had been there for weeks .They sawed through the wheel.She was pleased they'd left the D lock

Postchildren - that made me chuckle!

DD has got a lot sorted now:
She has accommodation confirmed and deposit paid.
She has set up her IT account and confirmed her place on her course.
She has 'chatted' online with 4 flat mates and also joined a group chat for her course.
She has ordered the 2 lab coats she needs from the uni (free!).
She has received her book list and we have managed to order 1 of them 2nd hand off ebay - some of the books look very expensive and unfortunately 1 of them is this year's edition so we won't be able to get that 2nd hand and it is listed as an essential book.
She has received her timetable for the first week for her course and has a 9.15 start one morning which surprised her as it is freshers week! It is still quite a full timetable so she won't be able to drink too much!
She has a list of freshers events.
She has opened a student account with santander and a savings account - so she can move over money each month into the current account.
We have bought her a cheap bike off Ebay and a basket and a lock - still need some lights.
And she has raided Ikea!
We have said we will pay for a bus pass for her.

It is clearly a rite of passage to go to Ikea before university lala so I think you will have to grin and bear it! This morning every other person had an 18 year old in tow!

DD borrowed my car and went to Ikea with a friend. I was quite happy to miss that experience

Overheard in Wilkinson's who had loads of going to uni stuff on display

Mum to DS, "How many pans do you want?"
son "just one big one for pasta."
Mum "do you want a chopping board?"
son "Er, NO."

For those who can't face or get to Ikea I thought I'd share some of DD's essential shopping:

Wilkinson's - Piggy tin opener, Spud guy spud peeler, egg whiskie and fried egg roundy to ensure well, round fried eggs

TKMaxx - cow door stop and microwave noodle bowl

Waitrose picnic reduced section - plastic glasses

I won't be going anywhere near IKEA . Luckily DS has no idea about such places!!

Accommodation for DS is about 20 minutes walk from the Uni. He could get the metro but it will be up to him to decide if he uses it as the cost will come out of his monthly money we give him.

Do we have to pay for the accommodation all upfront or is it done by semester? Or does it depend on each uni?

Mattress toppers - are you all buying them?

Voilets DS was sent a hoody from the uni along with various bits and bobs. A lot of the other stuff has been done online.

Decorhate I would definitely call the uni.

Chilly Just love your DDs selection. shame you can't, 'like' a post on MN - you would have several.

Last few days, everything DD has taken from fridge , cupboard or had on her plate she has scrutinised. Asked the cost and stating whether she thought she would/wouldn't be able to afford it on her student budget lol.

DS is coming shopping with me later to see how much things cost

I love the door stop Chilly

Thanks Circular. We have been practising some things I cooked as a student. Pitta bread pizzas were a hit even though she looked dubious. DD veggie but likes olives with feta etc. I have been talking to her about lentil curry, bean chilli instead!

DD2 bought DD1 a tin for medicines (Broken Human first Aid tin) which she will give DD1 as a gift when she leaves.
I have filled it with:

Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Antihistamines
Immodium type things
Rennies
Throat lozenges (don't normally buy then)

Germolene
Canastan
Antihistamine cream
Burn cream
Bonjela

Blister plasters
Plasters
Antiseptic wipes

DD has just come downstairs complaining of being congested with a cold so I will get some olbas oil if I can fit it in tin!

The younger DCs will give her a little multi tool and a mini sewing kit.

All MN suggestions from old threads - thanks

Chilli - good list! We need to do the same. Think we will have to visit wilcos too!
Do you think we should start a thread for easy student recipes? DD has found out that one of her new flat mates is vegetarian so could do with some easy vegetarian recipes - will also be cheaper than cooking meat all the time.

For those needing to buy pans, pizza cutters etc
www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-27-aug/

Re first aid (not a strong point). Are all the separate creams necessary? I went for insect bite cream and antiseptic spray.

Thanks for that Hellsbells Stil have pots left to buy.

Found Tesco and Matalan good for bed linen/cushions, and a few bargains to be had at BHS also.

Re the pots/pans necessities list we now have it down to the following. Had to cross off cake tins and muffin tray - convinced DD she would just have to Mae small cakes in paper cases.:

Wok (medium sized)
Small & large saucepans with lids
Frying pan (small omelette size?)
Casserole dish or stockpot with lid
Roasting pan
Baking tray
Microwave steamer / rice cooker

Why are people buying mattress toppers? Comfort or hygiene?

I'm not planning on sending ds with too much kitchen stuff - can't imagine they'll need 6 veg peelers, roasting trays etc so I thought just some basic things (his beloved wok and a few utensils) and perhaps they can club together for bigger kitchen stuff if it's needed - toaster/kettle/pans etc?

MrsBartlet, I am sure I will end up at Ikea :), it appears to be a parental cruelty not to do so.

Chilly I love your daughter's purchases and Wilko is much easier to get to.

Mattress topper will be for comfort. DD does like her bed.

We've never had mattress toppers here, so I won't be starting! A mattress protector is essential though, more of a 'student protector' though! I wouldn't go overboard with pots and pans, if everyone in the flat does the same there'll be no room to move! There will be cheap shops nearby to buy things later when they see what they really need. A couple of tea towels, dishcloths and a washing up brush would be very handy though!

Circular re creams. I'm sure they aren't all necessary at all. Have based the list on what DD asks me for at home. You are right antiseptic and antihistamine are the most useful.

Canastan is for fungal thing she gets on her feet. The burn cream is in case she burns herself and feels sad...

I am most definitely distracting myself from the anxiety about her leaving with shopping

Is my husband crazy?

I'm happily buying bit and pieces for DS and DH said 'don't know why you're getting it now, just go to IKEA in Soton and get it there on the weekend he moves in'.

He's insane, isn't he? I've just told him I'm not spending my weekend shopping with 50million (slight exaggeration) Freshers and their parents.

I loathe shopping at the best of times, so that would be torture for me.

Lots and lots of passport photos taken in advance to save time.

Also keep copies of all his paperwork like driving licence and passport in case it all gets lost or have him scan and store it all in the cloud.
Back up all lap top and mobile stuff if not already done.