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!

Stonecircle, I can imagine the expression. I really think my daughter's why was not the cloths per say, but, WHY Clean the toilet :)
Yes I will send with cleaning wipes, but actually wonder if pack will ever get opened !!!!

Aww, DS has packed his two favourite mugs; that's made me feel a bit sad now...

Huge pile of DS's stuff in the hall to take with him, feeling very emotional about it now.

Blimey thats a lot of stuff, well it is compared to my dds lol

Sadly there is yet more & a bike. He is in Self catered so has kitchen stuff as well. One of the boxes is only half full, but yes it's a lot.

I have also packed toilet cleaning wipes as well as a bottle of bleach.(DS also has en-suite) I'm sure I read somewhere that the Uni supply a toilet brush. As I'm in the group of MNetters that doesn't have a toilet brush I need to explain to DS what it is for - just in case he uses it for something else . I also bought him a pack of disposable gloves - he asked what they are for. Told him he would welcome them if he has to clean up any vomit or for cleaning the toilet!

DD is there! We had a really lovely day. We live quite close so it was quiet when we got there and DD wanted us to stay and unpack. We then went to do a top up shop and had some lunch at sainsburys. Two other flat members arrived and all students and parents were excited and nervous.

The room looked a bit bleak when we arrived so I took before and after pics just for you lot!

Before, after and no room for rug (just big bath mat from tkmaxx) next to bed but it fitted at end of bed and broke up brown carpet a bit. I'd thought fairy lights were OTT when we bought them but actually they helped.

Aw Chilly, that is so lovely I'm glad you had a nice day.

Her room looks great. I might do before and after pics too - brilliant idea!

Chilly, you and dd have made the room very cozy. Would it be by any chance in Central London?

Ah Isthis, if it was central London it would explain the extortionate rent! No it is another English city with high rents. She does have a wet room though (which was too small for a bath mat. Would have got soaked).

The people helping with unloading the cars said she was "travelling light". She doesn't have any posters etc but she can collect things as she goes along.

I think the thing that really helped was making the bed. Instantly more cosy with that double duvet not looking too huge. The uni provided ordinary mattress cover (new in packet on bed) which we used with the thicker cover we bought from wilkos. Princess and the pea.

Haha princess and the Pea. So how are you feeling? It seems like it all comes to a crashing halt when you drop them off. The whirlwind (yours not theirs obviously) has stopped, there is nothing left to do right now. Trust me there will be but right now it's like the world has stopped. Have fun and enjoy yourself. You deserve it!

That looks lovely Chilly.

That looks great Chilly - very homely!

Just to confirm RE - student finance. It comes through a couple of days after registration. They often register in freshers week, but it won't arrive before they go, so they will need savings/help from you for the first week or so.

The dates for the first payment are often estimates - depends on them registering.

Yes feel a bit still after the rushing about. And cash strapped.

Funny thing is DDs room looks great while my house looks truly awful. Bits and bobs everywhere. And just grubby really. Will set about it Sunday inspired by the Autumn thread.

Tomorrow will be busy with other DCs activities. We won't see DD for 3 weeks until she comes back for her boyfriend's birthday so probably won't have much time for us. Sniffle.

That's a really nice, neat looking room chilly very homely. DD would be estatic if her room was so nice and airy. I'm feeling sad too horsemad will be very redundant without DD around.
Shes forgot to put a family photo of the 3 of us so I've sneaked one in

Yes, must get a good pic of us all before he leaves.

looks great Chilly.

I thought DS was travelling light until tonight. All of his stuff is packed and in the dining room. There seems to be a lot .

I am determined not to cry tomorrow.

Went out for tea tonight. He announced he needs a shirt and tie for interviews when he looks for a part time job and perhaps a new pair of black skinnies. So that will be a flying visit to Top Man tomorrow now once we have unpacked. You know he has only been at home for three months and has suddenly had these bright ideas now...

Typical lad PUG

Room looking lovely and cosy Chilly

HMF1 similar size pile to DDs and still growing, but no bike.

Bigbluebus you've just inspired me to cross rubber gloves off shopping list and replace with disposable.

All starting to feel a bit too real.
DD says goodbye to a few friends (including BF) this weekend.

Ah Pug - ds finally engaged this afternoon, albeit fleetingly. He muttered something about needing to take some bits of stationery and I pointed to one of the plastic crates in the mound of stuff piled high in the living room and said, "see that? Paper, notepads, plastic wallets, folders, stapler, hole punch, pens, pencils, rubber, pencil sharpener, pins, paper clips, bulldog clips, scissors, ruler, highlighter pens, white board ..... have I forgotten anything?" He grunted and wandered off.

We currently have enough stuff piled up in the living room to fill the car. Then upstairs he has two large holdalls full of clothes, shoes, jumpers etc, plus another one with sports gear.

And he's out at the moment. Having been out with different groups of friends every night this week I thought he might spend his last night before he goes with his mum and dad. But no!

I had a wobble as we walked away from her flat, down the stairs, having left her smiling and waving at flat door.

Was OK last night until I went into her room to close a window. She so clearly doesn't live there. It's pretty tidy and some of her stuff is there but all the bits have gone. She's been out and about much of the summer but this felt different. I went to bed with a knot in my chest.

Bit better this morning as she txt saying her flat mates were friendly and chilled. They didn't go out last night but sat and chatted. Good start. Fingers crossed.

Chilly

We are on our way. Lump in throat. for you Chilly

Thanks Horse and Pug.
Perhaps I should schlepp over to the empty nest thread now.

Have a great day PUG