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!

Catered Halls or "All Inclusive" as DS1 innocently referred to his preferred accommodation whilst posing the question: "...does the cost include my ironing..."?

Dd's inclusive includes her washing!

all-inclusive!

I rather think he expected it to include his beer as well, MrsB!

I'm not sure how much work would get done if beer was included!

Loving the idea of beer-and-ironing-all-inclusives
We have been out shopping for stuff for both DDs and my bank account is GROANING under the strain. Even at Primani, T.K Maxx and Asda, with two of them it has added up to a scary amount. Have to say their rooms will look gorgeous though. It's funny how they seem to be choosing similar stuff to that which I took to uni 30 years ago, if you wait long enough everything comes back into fashion I guess.

Decorhate, DS also wanted self catered but got catered! I guess it's one less thing for them to worry about. Apparently it's much more sociable, and they make lots of friends. I'm sure they'll love it. But yes, much more expensive!

For those with dc's going to catered halls, what things are you buying apart from bedding? I don't think dd will need to do any hot meals herself so will probably just get a chopping board & knives for prepping salads etc

Dd has a reasonable sized kitchen in her accommodation with a hob (no oven) so we have got her a cheap set of pans in ikea as she may want to do some pasta for herself (and friends). We also got a chopping board, some plates, bowls etc and still need to get cutlery and sharp knife. She has a fridge in her room so can keep some salad bits and things for making lunch in there. Her accommodation is fully catered but you pay for the accommodation on its own and then get billed for food as taken so if she does cook for herself sometimes she won't be wasting money on meals that she has already paid for IYSWIM.

We were thinking of mainly a chopping board, knives and cling film for sandwiches, and a cereal bowl for when he's running late! A mug and a glass, or two to be sociable! I think in his accommodation there's only a microwave, no cooker. Off to ikea today, so who knows what we'll come home with!

Haven't read full thread but quizzed DD1(home for weekend)as have been advising friend
She says if you eat a lot of pasta a colander and grater are useful .Also Tupperware or similar boxes you can put your name on for left overs..Laundry bags are easier to manoeuvre .Take lots of the things you don't want to run out of-towels(dark colours) knickers,tea towels ( again dark colour non iron sort)are more useful than you might think as otherwise no one dries up and puts away which can be annoying .Get cheap as by the end of the year they will be fit only for floor cloths
Pint glasses if you drink a lot of water as it saves traipsing to the kitchen( though of course this can be useful procrastinatory activity and you might bump into someone to talk to)
First aid supplies definitely especially lots of cold remedies
She took hot water bottle (Ye Ancient Accomodation was chilly)
Paint your name in enamel paint on the bottom of pans .One big enough to cook for 6/8 which can go in oven or on hob is useful (Ikea furnished ours )
If you share a bathroom a caddy for shower gel etc is useful And flip flops ...
Underbed storage is invaluable

Have any of your DC taken out insurance?
DD just sorted out her bank account (£60 Amazon voucher on its way :) ) and has a ton of leaflets. She tried a few providers and to get any useful cover to include bike, laptop etc it was £250-£300 and even then there were huge exclusions. Things were only covered if taken from a locked room and there was evidence of forced entry
Not sure if you'd end up paying nearly £1k over the length of the course and discover that any loss/theft/damage wasn't covered!

Apparently basic cover is included at my dd's halls but haven't read the small print. Is it worth checking with your own insurer if your policy covers students whilst away from home?

My dd has used a company called Send My Bag to get suitcases to University. Very efficient and much cheaper than extra car journey .
And no, not advertising , there are other similar companies out there . For those of you worried about cramming everything into cars ! I only have a small vehicle .

If no allergies, a feather duvet will roll up smaller than synthetic fibres. I just ordered a v reasonably priced one from eBay, will report back

cathy dd's college includes insurance on the college bill so worth checking if it is included at your dd's college.

Insurance: Insurance that is included within Hall fees IME only covers kit in the Hall. So if you take your laptop out of the hall then it is not covered. Check your Household insurance as ours (Directline) cover children at university. Bikes are more difficult but can be insured separately. It doesn't usually cover bikes in communal bike stores. My DS's bike insurance also stipulates the level of lock that must be used. If I remember correctly they are graded bronze silver and gold.

Our household insurance covers ds' stuff at uni.

He has found, through trial and error and experience that rather than take huge amounts of notes during lectures he just tries to listen and make 'heading' notes on paper. All lectures are recorded and are available on the uni intranet afterwards so he will then write up detailed notes when he is back in his room. This way he doesn't need to cart his laptop around - it stays locked in his room and is much less likely to get damaged/forgotten/stolen etc.

I got excited for a moment MrsB but I just checked and sadly DD's college isn't as organised.
We've gone for feather too Decorhate an online shop, with lots of discounts and a 15% off voucher code. I won't recommend until everything arrives though.
DD2 is packing to go off to a festival, so for the next few days I shall mostly be panicking about her health and safety and distracting myself by buying uni stuff for DD1.
I'm sure it was easier when they were toddlers

Dd will need to cater for herself on Saturday and Sunday apart from brunch. We will send 3 pans, chopping board, sharp knife, basic cutlery/crockery, the odd Tupperware, wooden spoon as basics. I'm sure there will be a few more bits. Also under bed storage with tins of beans, sauces, pasta, rice, spreads etc. kitchen cupboards are rarely adequate.

decorhate we have been buying bedding online this morning but phoned the accommodation office first to check on bed size. She will have a 4ft bed so have been advised to get double bedding. I don't know which catered hall your dd is going to but if its one of the old ones it might be worth checking.

Reading Cathy? I've been following DS around the house this morning asking him about student finance, accommodation contracts etc and all he can think about is packing his rucksack, digging out tent, wellies etc etc ...

DD off to festival tomorrow too - are they all off to Shambala I wonder

Recall seeing rugs mentioned further up thread.
Is that just to cover manky carpet or more to give feel of home comfort / personalisation?

Also, re underbed storage - may be worth checking if beds have it built in before buying boxes.