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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
PUGaLUGS · 04/09/2015 23:00

Oh bloody hell didn't think about size Grin. Online supermarket didn't give me a choice! Bugger!

Chillywhippet · 04/09/2015 23:05

Hells - we have barely seen DD either! This means when I do see her she has (lovely) BF in tow and we have annoying discussions about things to do like opening bank account etc.

Last night she was in but has a cold and cough so in bed 8.30. She dropping into a local festival this evening.

She very much objected to the idea that she might spend some time at home this week (leaving on 11th) to er... Get ready, get well and see her family

Horsemad · 04/09/2015 23:34

Shock Size? There's no size on mine! Bought via Boots online.

Perhaps he can trade with someone if they are wrong. Confused

hellsbells99 · 04/09/2015 23:58

Chilly - well DD has just gone out! So much for an evening at home....
She has gone to meet a friend in town.
DD also often has the boyfriend in tow too so many of our discussions happen with him here. He is also going to uni so is doing similar things.

Those buying condoms - is this for both sexes or just DSs?

LapsedPacifist · 05/09/2015 02:42

According to the lovely undergrads I work with - and who have been working with DS (a volunteer) for the past year -

They will need - a v large chocolate cake

Vodka

Comfy cushions

Door wedge!

LapsedPacifist · 05/09/2015 02:53

The Condom Thing appears to be optional.

You can put it in the Ironic Parental Emergency Box, or just be the sort of parent I'm not.

You know - ' Having that Conversation.'

Regardlesss - just do it.

Horsemad · 05/09/2015 07:15

I'm going to get a cushion from Boots with a photo of the cat in it. She sleeps on his bed here, so it's the next best thing. Smile
Or should I do it for one of his Xmas pressies when he's settled in and not so likely to be homesick (not that I think he will be homesick, but you never know...)?

PUGaLUGS · 05/09/2015 07:24

Yy to chocolate cake, I will be making one next Friday.

Horsemad · 05/09/2015 07:26

I have a friend who make the most amazing choc cake, so I'll ask her if she'd mind making one. Much better than my efforts!

Original poster
circular · 05/09/2015 07:30

Chilly Also finding it extremely difficult to pin DD down to discuss the practical stuff. I'm at wotk all day but finding when I'm free she is either with boyfriend (also off to Uni) or best friend (not going this year).
Taken to emailing 'TO DO' list every couple of days, and get the odd text back questioning / confirming done so at least partially engaging.

Now need her to go through the 'TAKE' list to see if anything else needs adding to the 'BUY' list before today's shopping. Shes coming with today, so suspect things not on list will be found too.

OP posts:
Original poster
circular · 05/09/2015 07:33

Those whose DC are currently 'in a relationship' and have intentions of continuing while at different Unis.
Is it the norm to agree not to see each other during freshers week/fortnight to get a chance to settle in, make friends etc.

OP posts:
hellsbells99 · 05/09/2015 07:49

Circular - think DD is not planning to see her BF for the first 2 weeks. Train wise, she is only an hour from his uni so will even be able to have a Friday night out at her uni then go and see him on the Saturday. Who knows whether it will last....
Re: chocolate cake - I might just buy the chocolate fudge cake from costco Grin

voilets · 05/09/2015 08:42

My DS is so nervous about freshers week.

Any tips?

ISingSoprano · 05/09/2015 08:51

violets just keep reminding him that it's normal to feel nervous and everyone else will be feeling the same (even if they don't show it). Encourage him to keep his door wedged open when he is in his accommodation and to get involved with the freshers events. There will be lots of student ambassadors looking out for the freshers.

Horsemad · 05/09/2015 08:55

voilets, tell him he doesn't have to drink to excess if he doesn't want to. Sometimes there is too much pressure on them to be party animals.

hellsbells99 · 05/09/2015 09:02

Violets - has he managed to find any flat/hall mates online? DD has found 4 sharing her flat via TSR/Facebook groups and that is helping calm her down.

mumslife · 05/09/2015 09:50

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mumslife · 05/09/2015 09:57

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mumslife · 05/09/2015 10:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lalamumto3 · 05/09/2015 10:47

I have bought a pack of "Colour catcher sheets" as cannot see DD paying extra to sort her wash into darks and lights! I had bought some blue duvet covers, dd said not bright enough, she choose a bright duvet cover yesterday at TK Max. All friends have said that there bedding and towels go in with anything and everything and end up looking quite grubby.

I have used a shoe box for the "present box", have also included Berocca and multi vitamins. We have tried to book the Meningitis vaccine, but our GP has run out and she is on a wait list for it, they think that it will be in next week.

DD is really not that practical and is far more concerned about her Uni wardrobe and bag !!!

A friend whose son went last year said to make sure they take winter coat, shoes/boots etc as they had to do another trip with those as he had not factored in the cold.

I will send with a cake, but thought that some packets of cakes and biscuits with a long shelf life would be good. Also a couple of water bottles.

Horsemad · 05/09/2015 10:51

Good call on the vitamins lalamum, will add to my list! I'll need a suitcase for his presents at this rate, will have to curb it I think! Grin

hellsbells99 · 05/09/2015 11:02

DD is going to take her small trolley case as it is lockable. She can keep bits of things like money & her iPad in there under her bed and it will also come in handy for weekends home. She is also taking a small rucksack for when she visits her boyfriend/friends at other unis so if they go straight out from the train station she is only carrying a bag rather than a trolley case!

Fairenuff · 05/09/2015 11:31

This thread isn't good for me. Everytime I think I've thought of everything I come on here and see cake, cushions and condoms and panic that dd will flounder without them Grin

However, I have to keep reminding myself that she is moving to a city and there are shops! I can always bung her some money and she can chose her own cake, cushions and condoms. Mind you, her room is so small I don't know what she will do with cushions, anyone in there will just have to sit on the bed.

Circular I love your TO DO, TAKE and BUY lists. I have those exact same headings just for packing for holidays Grin

Chillywhippet · 05/09/2015 12:26

I'm planning on sending DD with a tub of celebrations to share. I can't see me getting into the baking zone before Friday but then I'm not a regular baker. I can imagine if you have a tried and tested cake it is a nice thing to do.

Our text conversations are running like this:

Me "morning darling. Don't forget to open student bank account x"

DD "tried ringing bank but can't get through without an account number. Can I order the laptop?"

Me "have you actually been to bank?"

DD "it's OK. I have made an appointment for Monday. First one they had. Laptop? Xx"

Chillywhippet · 05/09/2015 12:34

Violets - my DD is clearly nervous but it is coming out in narkiness! The waiting to go is hard. Still I just said to DH that she wasn't be living here next Saturday and he said, "don't worry. We'll still be parenting her..."

DD's boyfriend's birthday is her 3rd weekend so she'll be 'home' then but probably busy at his. No doubt he'll isit her before then. He's not off to uni and it's 45 minutes away, big city that they know. I just hope he's not there all the time....