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Higher education

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

Original poster

Preparing for Uni in 2015

998 replies

circular · 22/06/2015 09:01

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!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
Decorhate · 26/08/2015 12:50

mrsrhodgilbert dd will have a 4ft bed too hence having to order a new double duvet. Dunhelm Mills are supposed to have 4ft fitted sheets. We will have a look there.

cathyandclaire · 26/08/2015 13:48

Leeds for us, which is fortunately very close...advising plenty of thermals and waterproofs if anyone else's DCs are coming!

seimum · 26/08/2015 14:51

At Essex they apparently have a second-hand kitchen equipment sale in the first week. Sounds like a good idea!
We still have to investigate what is in the boxes DD1 brought back from Uni last year, before we go shopping.

MarianneSolong · 26/08/2015 15:05

Marianne's Preparation Strategies

  1. Pretend it isn't happening (Like Christmas)
  2. Say to Offspring, 'You'd better get stuff sorted out, hadn't you?'
  3. Say to Spouse, 'You'd better help Offspring get sorted out, hadn't you?'
  4. Remember own parents non-engagement with process 38 years ago and own subsequent survival.
  5. Say vaguely to Offspring, 'There might be useful stuff in the loft.'
  6. Say even more vaguely to Offspring, 'You don't really need a lot of stuff do you?'
  7. Find good book to read.
ExConstance · 26/08/2015 15:12

Marianne - spot on! I spent lots of time and money on stuff for my two when they went, most of it came back un used or wasn't quite right. You may as well just give them the money and tell them to source their own stuff. These 4' beds can best be dealt with the continental way, just send them with two single duvets and covers which will do fine on a 4' bed in hall and on a double bed if they move out. Boys tend to live in stinky squalor anyway so although I got new duvets DS2 had the sensible plain black duvet covers his brother had had before him.

basildonbond · 26/08/2015 15:22

I think ds is feeling a bit nervous about the prospect as he's being very ostrich-like about the whole process ...

I forced him to sit down and go through his emails today and sort out registering for his IT account etc - it was like pulling teeth but we got it done ...

He's got to go and see the access team to sort out his mentor etc and I've very kindly Grin agreed to take him down the week before so he can get it out of the way before freshers week and I think it will help him seeing the campus again before he actually starts ...

Kez100 · 26/08/2015 15:26

We gave my DD some money for a rug as we couldn't find one before she left. She never spent it as the carpet wasn't too bad and a rug would stopped her gliding on her wheeled chair from desk to bed!

Under bed storage is a great idea - just wait until you know if there is a void there and the dimensions.

Using collapsible large sports bags (we paid about £10 from Sports Direct) means the suitcases don't have to be brought home as they can be stored under the bed or on top of the wardrobe.

One small suitcase is handy for weekends away or weekends home.

Clothes horse is useful (although make sure it is sturdy in case they have horse racing drinking games, racing them up and down the corridors)

mrsrhodgilbert · 26/08/2015 16:28

Our dds could be in the same hall decorhate in Leeds. We are also very close so well used to the weather. We have had a profitable trip to TK Maxx and bought a nice duvet in the M&S promotion, opened the student bank account and a pile of books have arrived for her course. Feel like we are making progress at last. She's off to sleep in a muddy field in Leeds at the weekend and at work all next week so I'm glad we've made a start.

cathyandclaire · 26/08/2015 16:59

DD2 and MrsRhod's DD can wave to each other :) hope she has fun!
DD1 works in a pub near the festival site so is bracing herself for a busy weekend with lots of grubby people and absolutely no tips!

mrsrhodgilbert · 26/08/2015 17:04

Not sure about the fun cathy, she has only been for the day before, never camped. She really just wants to see the Mumfords on Saturday night, I'm not sure how long she'll actually last. She would sympathise with the lack of tips, being a waitress herself for the last year.

Original poster
circular · 26/08/2015 21:13

It's also Reading festival this w/e.

Kez good idea re the rug - she can source her own if she decides she wants one.
Not sure how you can have a clothes horse race with the skinny concertina collapsible type, but oh well!

OP posts:
Horsemad · 26/08/2015 21:25

These students will try anything!

Am all shopped out for this week! Will build up energy reserves and do more next week. Got to fit a visit to my parents on the other side of the country before DS disappears to Soton as well.

Time is passing a bit too quickly.

Original poster
circular · 27/08/2015 07:08

Question re documents
Apart from bank acc details, accomm agreement, insurance cover, A2/AS results slips, EP report (if applicable) what else are they likely to need with them in paper form?

Are birth certificates necessary?

Also, once they have their full halls address, should they be making address changes on everything official?

OP posts:
Horsemad · 27/08/2015 07:19

Driving licence/passport for ID purposes? Not sure about birth cert, think something was mentioned about medical card for registering at GP.

DS is going to keep his address as home I think, although not sure if that's permitted with driving licence.

Original poster
circular · 27/08/2015 11:03

Wouldn't have a clue where to find DD's medical card. Have baby book, maybe iit's in that.

OP posts:
basildonbond · 27/08/2015 11:25

I don't think halls of residence count as a permanent address do they? I was going to suggest ds keeps his home address on everything official as the thought of him remembering to change everything again at the end of next summer is too painful to contemplate. He'll be off campus next year and in Berlin the year after that and then back somewhere in Exeter so it seems simpler all round just to keep his adress the same

Your family GP will have their NHS number which is all they'll need (racks brain trying to think if I've ever even seen ds's medical card ... it's probably been put in a Very Safe Place ... which I will never find again ...)

Decorhate · 27/08/2015 11:39

I think dd has to bring her passport for registration

lalamumto3 · 27/08/2015 11:41

Have been trying to get DD cooking, she is going into self catered so will have to cook for herself, I have to echo the supervision part. DD was just about to empty potatoes straight out of bag into a roasting tin!!! I had to point out a wash to get rid of any dirt might be good. So she filled bag with water. I really could not believe that she did not think to check them over. I feel some real basics are possibly required :), at least she is good at omelettes.

Unfortunately she appears to be more interested in eating than cooking, still I have a month to get her sorted. I have bought her some student cook books, "From Pasta to Pancakes" has photos, so if anyone has a dc like mine it may be a good option.

She is far more interested in buying duvet covers etc than food prep kit. However, as the new word "Hangry" ( Anger caused by hunger), was probably based on her, so I had better keep going with it, for the sake of her fellow sharers Grin

Original poster
circular · 27/08/2015 12:58

Agree, less they need to change address on the better.

OP posts:
voilets · 27/08/2015 13:19

we still have had no timetable. Anyone else in this situation?

Original poster
circular · 27/08/2015 13:54

nNO timetable here either. But a few weeks to choose optional modules, so don't see how they can timetable till that's done?

OP posts:
BoboChic · 27/08/2015 14:05

It's entirely normal for timetables not to be finalised until registration/freshers' week.

Doingmybestmum · 27/08/2015 15:05

Hi Some thoughts as my DD starts planning for her second year - Before they go get them to do a family shop with you, either online or in a supermarket - emphasising the value of own brands and the difference between price for weight v price (this was a shock to my DD - may not be for yours). Febreze is without question the most useful thing - sorts clothes overdue for the laundry - trainers - bathroom etc. No, I do not work for them, and generic versions are available! and a monthly surprise online shop from us including icecream, paracetamol, ONE bottle of wine, popcorn and olive oil plus (insert your own DS/DD's favourite treats). Ikea blue bags are fab - for moving in and for laundry. £1 coins/ 50ps for laundrette (check which are needed). There are never enough plugs, so those gang things are useful. My DD loves a blanket we gave her for if it got cold in bed, doubles for TV night with mates. The kitchen and bathrooms will get disgusting - they really appreciate home when they get back for christmas! They are back before you know it, and much nicer for a bit of roughing it.

BoboChic · 27/08/2015 15:39

LOL at Febreze Grin

A huge bottle of kitchen spray and another of bathroom spray plus masses of kitchen towels and some rubber gloves deals quickly and efficiently with flat mates' disgusting domestic habits. Getting bossy and organising the cleaning rota also a good idea (hones those vital management skills).

MarianneSolong · 27/08/2015 15:39

My in-depth preparation continues.

I have got a book on cultural anthropology out of the library in town and am now reading it.

(Do not wish my daughter to end up knowing more than I do!)

Am I on the wrong thread? Why am I not obsessed with duvets???

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