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!

[lalamumto3]

Hi Chilly don't rush I am sure there will be lots of Freshers week questions that we will all be asking. Thanks so much for posting the room pics, the room looked lovely. I too was sceptical about dds request for fairy lights but I can see what a difference they made. Where did you get yours from?

DD still has 3 weeks before she goes so she is just starting to get sorted. I have been chucking things in a box for over a month :)

I am concerned how we will fit all 5 of us (we are dropping the other 2 with grandparents en route) and all her stuff in the car, luckily we have a top box.

[lalamumto3]

I meant don't rush off :)

[stonecircle]

The trouble with chucking things in a box (for me anyway!) is forgetting what's actually in there. When we got down to serious packing yesterday I discovered a surfeit of egg slices and wooden spoons!

Got up early this morning and, while I was having my breakfast, the Beatles' 'She's leaving home today' came on the radio. Wrong sex but that didn't reduce the emotional impact!

DS still not sorted - we'll be getting there in the dark at this rate ...

[Horsemad]

PUG, your pic choked me up Good Luck and have a great day.

[Chillywhippet]

Lala - fairy lights are heart shaped ones from ikea. She also has 3 battery tea lights as she was asking for candles which seemed a bad idea.

Newish accommodation so had 5 double sockets so brought extension lead home but I am sure they would be needed in older halls or by peeps with lots of tech. Didn't take enough coat hangers though as hanging rail longer than I thought. Still she can walk to b and m herself now.

[voilets]

CHILLY - you are making it feel real.

Just bags of bought goodies and a few large soft holdalls ready to pack at some point. DS is really unconcerned!

Came in late last night, after seeing a friend off back to year 2, stomped up the stairs like Mr Elephant, oblivious to all asleep Whereas I until recently worried until he was home - I 'm training myself to let go. That will be the challenge for me. He had significant SEN as a youngster - doing brilliantly now - but that early mother protection kicked in hard and is still there!

Keep telling us how it all goes

[bobs123]

I've just seen this thread so though I'd add my 2pence-worth!

?? size beds - just buy double fitted sheets/duvets etc. the fit fine. Sainsbury has the best offer on atm - cheaper than the cheapie shops and decent quality (180 thread count)

Condoms - Home Bargains do Mates 12 pack for £1.49!!!!

A throw for the bed tends to be a must.

Re the "morning after" and over-indulgence, a remedy for being sick over and over again and wondering if it will ever stop (too much stomach acid):

1. Take 2 Tums (or similar)
   
2. After 15 mins or so take 1 Ranitidine. (buy for 75p in supermarkets. do not buy Zantac as it's way more expensive and is basically Ranitidine anyway).
   

This should work - trust me, I've tried it!!!

For those with small cars, take all but food and when you get there and have unloaded do a food shop. I have done an Aldi shopping list and there is one 10 min drive from DD's accommodation. anything we can't get there I will take with me.

If you can't get clothes airers/long mirrors in the car, get delivered there from, say, Argos.

Multi hooks for back of door essential

Film canister of change for washing machines

Sorry if this has all already been said!

[bobs123]

Oh - and of DD's friends who have already left for uni - if you have a flat with all en-suites and have a party, beware of your belongings and people going into your room to use the loo. One friend has had her purse pinched with all cards

[Horsemad]

Great tips bobs!

[bigbluebus]

Good point bobs. Hadn't thought of that. Had been debating whether or not DS needed a laptop lock and if his desk actually had anything to wrap the lock around, but had almost concluded it wouldn't be necessary as long as he locked his door when in the communal area - now re-thinking that one. Was also wondering what he could safely keep things such as Passport and important documents in.

Good luck to all those who are taking their DCs today. Just had a text from a friend who is en route to London with her DD in a jam packed car.

[Bagpuss555]

pugs how was the drive to uni ? Quite and sad or happy and excited? I'm dreading it I will be trying my best to be happy and cheery. It's 3 hour drive for us. I don't want to be sad all the way. Just hope I can keep it together.
chilly I'm empty nest here too. They say life begins when kids leave and most people I know whos kids have gone, have renewed energy, like a weight lifted off their shoulders, they have a spring in their step. I'm definitely far from that yet. Even the cats depressed! he senses something up, he's been sleeping with dd for the last 3 nights on her head, following dd everywhere she goes he's not himself.
Thanks bob for multi hook forgot dd needs one for bathroom to put towels.

[bobs123]

I think they just need to keep their stuff hidden. DD1 left her room unlocked while in the flat, but locked it when going out. She always left her laptop out of sight (ie under duvet/bed) when out as opportunists tend to ope doors and just grab what they can see.

Re insurance, Endsleigh cover for everything even if there is no forced entry, which is great. Extra insurance is needed of course for mobiles/laptops etc. And for anyone who didn't know....

1. They will only deal with the person who the insurance is for. So if your DC loses their mobile, you cannot sort it for them. They have to phone themselves (usually having to use a friend's mobile at premium rate)
   
2. The getting of a new mobile within 24 hrs - this is within 24 hrs of the claim being approved, not 24 hrs of DC notifying the insurance company. So in effect can take over a week.
   
3. There is an admin fee to be paid - something like £50???
   
4. The insurance is then cancelled and new insurance needs to be taken out.
   
   Just something to keep in mind, as it comes as a shock when it happens!!!

[mrsrhodgilbert]

We have a laptop lock ready. Dd1 had it but she had a fixed desk so it was easy. Dd2 will have a table type desk so not secure, I think she might have to fix it to the radiator when she's out. I have tried to convince her that she needs to keep her door locked, she's struggling to understand the need, such a trusting soul.

[PUGaLUGS]

Bagpuss it was just a normal car journey really.

We are first to arrive. Military operation - couldn't fault the student reps. The two the picked us up after we got out of the lift who took us to the right block I gave them a homemade brownie each - bless them they were all working really hard and it was peering down with rain.

His room is s great size and bathroom is lovely too, good sized desk along one wall. Loads of sockets, drawers and a wardrobe. The kitchen is massive with leather sofas.

[PUGaLUGS]

Sorry for typos didn't put my glasses on

Now sat in a lovely Greek cafe having lunch (and a glass of wine) before doing some Top Man shopping.

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

Can I just scream quietly . Ds goes tomorrow but has packed nothing and has just told me he's going to his girlfriend's house for the afternoon

I think his secret agenda must be to make me so pissed off with him that I won't miss him as he has been hideous this morning- just had a tantrum about getting passport photos done

Arghhh

(And breathe)

[PUGaLUGS]

DS hasn't had any passport photos done

[AnnieNoMouse]

Back with a new name after the hacking stuff.
D-day here is next Saturday. This morning I looked up this poem in a book I read a couple of years ago:-
caribbeanwriters.tumblr.com/post/23651627610/flight-of-the-firstborn-peggy-carr
called Flight of the Firstborn by Peggy Carr
which makes we want to cry and

So glad to have this thread, and to hear that DC's all seem to be going through the same emotions (mainly grumpy and anxious in this house at moment)

Good luck to all those who are moving/have moved this weekend. I enjoy looking at the photos.

[bruffin]

For insurance check your own house insurance first. My house ins has 5k cover for students living away from home and 1k any one item. It does not cover mobile phones though.

[AnnieNoMouse]

Got up early this morning and, while I was having my breakfast, the Beatles' 'She's leaving home today' came on the radio. Wrong sex but that didn't reduce the emotional impact!

Had same effect here Stonecircle

Every time I think of him going I am genuinely happy and excited for him but inside I can hear a scream going "noooo, not my baby!"

[MissDemelzaCarne]

I've one week to go, and I keep,wanting to cry every time I see that bloody Dr Who trailer, it was one of DS' obsessions (he has AS) and it just brings home that I won't be watching it with him this series.
How pathetic is that?

[PUGaLUGS]

Well we are now on our way home. Got back from lunch and shopping and the other housemates were there bar one who was stuck in traffic. Made his bed up, said hello to everyone in the kitchen - family of a housemate there too. DH have him some money and said to us with arms folded "bye then". No kiss, no hug no nothing. However I think that is because a few mins before in his room I gave him his survival box and he knew I was going to cry (managed to hold it back) but my voice was all high and squeaky, so he probably thought if we hugged then I really would cry. Have got a huge bar of chocolate to keep me company.

Good luck to everyone else who has yet to go through this.

[Haffdonga]

Boring insurance question - both our home and uni halls insurance cover ds's stuff in halls if his room is broken into. What about if his laptop is nicked out of the room e.g. on the train home, or he gets mugged and his snazzy new phone gets taken? Is student insurance or Protect my Bubble' type insurance the way to go?

[SwedishEdith]

What are these survival packs you're talking about? Mine goes next week and I'm very a little concerned that I'm just sitting here wasting time on here.

[PUGaLUGS]

Swedish I did a box with new socks and undies, popcorn, chocolate, wine gums, Oreo biscuits, box of condoms and a tenner inside.