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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
cathyandclaire · 10/09/2015 19:02

MossAgate Grin
DD will need a marquee, if the floor plan and scale of her room are correct. By my calculations it measures just under 2 by 3 metres Shock that is barely enough room for her, let alone the assortment of cushions, quilts and other lovely bits she's accumulated.
Am trying to convince myself it's a mistake as she was asked whether big size or low price were a priority and she said big size. On a plus note it will be very cosy!

PUGaLUGS · 10/09/2015 20:05

No packing here yet. Will do it tomorrow night. Have just refreshed all of his hoodies and jeans. Need to do some ironing. All other stuff piled into the corner of the dining room.

DS has decided tonight that he needs to do something about the debit card he cannot find Hmm. So he had to cancel his old one and request a new one but that will come here and I will have to send it on to him. We will now have to give him cash till he gets the new card. He has registered with a GP. He needs to go in one day next week and sign a form. I suggested to him he does it Tuesday (Monday he has to go enrol with his tutor).

at tardis Grin

Bagpuss555 · 10/09/2015 20:37

Hi everyone can I please join, We've had a rather rocky ride getting to this point, as dd didn't want to go to her insurance, but how things panned out, she's alright now, looking forward to uni life. Almost all packed up.
We've put all her vital documents and certificates she might need in a plastic wallet, however we've lost her NI card we only have NI number that was written down. Will that be enough or will she need the card if they ask for her NI number as proof. We also don't have NI letter. Will this be a problem say if she gets a part time job? Thanks in advance

mrsrhodgilbert · 10/09/2015 21:38

Hi bag puss. My daughters have both had part time jobs and have never had to show the actual card with the NI number on so I think she'll be fine with it written down. Hope she enjoys wherever she's going.

AtiaoftheJulii · 10/09/2015 22:00

You don't get an NI card any more, just a letter. But anyway, just giving the number is all that will be needed - either it will match with the name or not!

Cathy that doesn't sound like it can be right?? Bed, desk, drawers, wardrobe?? Cosy is the word!

Bagpuss555 · 10/09/2015 22:01

Thank you Mrs H you've cleared up exactly what we were worried about. DD rung NI dept up today they weren't very helpful. Dd asked if she could get a replacement card because she's lost hers, only knows the number. They said they would only issue another card if she has lost it and forgotten the number.
If places are alright with just a NI number no need for proof thats great one less worry to sort out Smile

Bagpuss555 · 10/09/2015 22:06

Sorry I meant they would replace it with a NI letter not card, but they won't because she knows her number. It's been a long dayWine

Bagpuss555 · 10/09/2015 23:07

I don't know if its useful/helpful or already mentioned. Packing a extention lead with individual on/off switch is essential since we've noticed dd has many items on charge, I pod, phone, lap top, tablet, then theres other stuff like straightening irons, hairdryers, never enough plugs in the house.

Horsemad · 10/09/2015 23:15
GypsyFl0ss · 11/09/2015 06:27

I started washing the bedding and towels last night. We don't know what size bed or indeed room DD will have so we've opted for double size everything. If Dd gets her wish for a single en suite they're tiny and her bedding will take up most of the room!

Original poster
circular · 11/09/2015 12:53

After reading the other thread, kept advising DD to take double duvet for single bed, but she has insisted on single. No single beds at home so had to buy specially, so no use to us if she doesnt want them. Won't be pleased if she changes her mind when she gets there.

OP posts:
Bagpuss555 · 11/09/2015 13:08

Talking about bedding dd has a 3 quarter bed, never heard of them looks like a double so getting double duvet, just can't find fitted sheets for it.....

Original poster
circular · 11/09/2015 13:46

Bagpuss It's probabktpy a 4ft or small double? I'm sure someone up thread said Dunhelm does the fitted sheets . Or use flat double sheets, but more work for DD.

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 11/09/2015 13:50

Three-quarter bed sheets here on ebay. I did look at Dunelm, but couldn't see 3/4 sheets.

Bagpuss555 · 11/09/2015 14:13

Our last resort if we couldn't find fitted sheets by next week would just get flat sheets, I think DD would keep it nice and neat tucked in for the first week after that Confused. Thanks for the link SDTG another headache sorted Smile under £10 for fitted sheets include post is very cheap, bargain!

Bagpuss555 · 11/09/2015 14:30

Hang on!! Just had a brain wave, realised its fitted valance sheet on the eBay link. Is a valance sheet those that looks like a pelmet that's put over a divan bed looks like a skirt to cover underneath the bed? So not put on the mattress but the box part below matress.

ISingSoprano · 11/09/2015 14:38

I bought 'small double' fitted sheets from Amazon for ds a couple of years ago Amazon

HMF1 · 11/09/2015 14:39

I have been away for work for the last 2 days, not a lot has happened in my absence except DS has got a job in the students union shop. We are leaving early tomorrow & nothing is packed yet. I am swithering about doing it myself but trying to resist, he has informed me that he will be going out this evening but will be back early!

Bagpuss555 · 11/09/2015 14:50

Grin what I got is right. Basically the sheet goes over the mattress plus it covers the divan part too, so actually a 2 in1 no need to buy separate sheets for divan and mattress. Learnt something new Grin Wine

mrsrhodgilbert · 11/09/2015 15:52

Dd will have a 3/4 bed too. I bought her a mattress topper from Amazon to improve the comfort a bit, honestly it's about 2 inches thick. Looks very comfortable but it occurred to me that there is no way a fitted3/4 sheet would go over it and tuck under the mattress so I've gone for double flat sheets. I think student houses tend to have double beds so hopefully it will last into years 2&3.

I managed to find some nice storage boxes in TK Maxx this morning to go under the bed. I'm planning to buy a selection of jars, tins, packets, pasta etc to keep her going for a bit until she finds her feet. They can go in the storage boxes. She only needs to cook on Saturday and Sunday evenings so the kitchen isn't huge and storage limited. Must get her a padlock for her kitchen cupboard. I'll get her a few fresh items so she can claim a shelf in the fridge.

Despite asking to finish work last weekend she has been put back on the rota for five more days, hence me doing a bit more of this than planned. She doesn't want to turn down the money. The landing is filling up daily and she hasn't packed any clothes yet, I keep looking at the size of the boot!!

Decorhate · 11/09/2015 16:34

Our Dunhelm did have 3/4 sheets but not many left last weekend. Ordered another off EBay. Dd is fretting about what clothes to take. Hopefully not her entire wardrobe!

lalamumto3 · 11/09/2015 16:41

DD has got an ensuite, so I thought we should talk about cleaning stuff.
Lala "how many cleaning clothes do you want?"
DD "What"
Lala "Well you will need one for the toilet, one for the sink ....."
DD "Why?" :)

Hmm may take anti bac when I go to visit

stonecircle · 11/09/2015 17:11

maybe she thought you meant she had to wear special clothing to clean Wink. Just been explaining to ds how to clean a toilet. Clearly I'm speaking a foreign language ....

muffinmonster · 11/09/2015 17:21

stonecircle, I dont think anyone ever explained to me how to clean a toilet. I'm still not sure I've got it right.

DD lost her phone a couple of weeks ago, so we reported it via the Virgin mobile website and ordered a new SIM. A week goes by, no SIM.

Last Saturday I phoned Virgin mobile and spoke to a very helpful person who said he would re-order the SIM and it would be with us in a few days. Still no SIM.

Just phoned Virgin mobile again and was informed that the SIM was despatched last Saturday and, as their estimated delivery time is 3-5 working days, the SIM is not deemed to be late until 6pm this evening. So I've got to phone back in 45 minutes. Because of course the postman (who has already been today) will more than likely to make a special journey before then to deliver it. Hmm

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 11/09/2015 17:43

Lalamum - I'd send her with bathroom wipes, rather than cloths.

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