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!

Now more confused re mattress toppers.
Seen some that are completely washable, not just cover.
Also, if they add too much depth to the bed, will fitted sheet still fit?

My dd has a thinner washable mattress topper (from John Lewis) so that she can fit a protector and sheet over the top. That way it came back pristine.

Aargh, think I will leave this till after August 13th. We'll still have a whole month then (assuming DD gets a university place).

Will definitely look into MenC jab, though.

Leavers' ball next Saturday. Parents go too! I am really looking forward to it.

If you have a mattress protector, I'd probably put it over the topper (washable or not), for period protection if nothing else. (I always seem to wake up these days if I come on in the night, but I never used to, and I once lost some deposit because I'd bled on the mattress. She was a cow of a landlady though.) Just easier than washing a topper! Ours is admittedly a super king size, but it weighs a ton. It's not washable, but when I wash its cover, I lug the topper off the bed and chuck it over the banister to air.

Parents of non drinking students don't worry!!! Freshers can be a bit of a challenge but thereafter people get to know each other for themselves.

I have two DC at uni who are tea total and one who only drinks a little. Not drinking isn't an issue and doesn't stop them going clubbing and partying.

Saves them a bundle too.

We dumped DD and left her to it. Unpacking and getting sorted out is part of the fun. Bake a cake and take it on day one to ensure popularity. A plastic tub of first aid stuff is a good idea as fresher's flu will probably strike in the first few weeks.
We made DD an emergency kit in a gift bag. It contained chocolate, wine, paracetamol, spare knickers and tights, a tenner, a small torch, condoms, a pen, a toothbrush and other bits and pieces. She opened it after we had left and apparently I was "legend" in the halls.

Thanks kez100 that's very reassuring, I'm a tad worried for DD she can't drink as she's on long term medication, she's never been to a nightclub, she has had plenty of opportunities but she's avoided, more because she can't drink so feels a bit out of place, we keep telling her to go and experience and just have fizzy drinks but its still a no. Fresher's week is going to be a nightmare for her I feel .

Same here mumslife!

Same here Mumslife and decorate

Lol mumslife, Decorhate, Hellsbells
DD's a lightweight compared to yours - one heavy night out, then fit for nothing the next day. Maybe needs more practise before Uni .
Either that or wil give up drinking before she even hits 18.

dementedma apart from the usual paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters, bandages, wipes etc is there anything 'student specific' that is less obvious to us novices that you would recommend for the first aid box?

Atiao thanks re the mattress topper tip. Was looking at some in JL as they have removeable washable covers.

we will find out on Sunday (eek) if ds has his first choice so I'm not getting anything until then ...

has anyone mentioned a laundry basket/bag/hamper thingy? or am I just kidding myself that anything will actually get washed

Basildon's ds must be one of the following -

a) Scottish
b) International Baccalaureate
c) Genius computer hacker who has infiltrated all exam boards. If so please PM me.....

@ genius computer hacker!!

circular fresher's flu is common and goes round the halls like wildfire. I would include lemsip, throat sweets and maybe some fizzy multi vits or echinacea. Digital thermometer might be useful?

It's b - sadly not c as then he might be able to keep me in my old age ...

Last week I went to pick DS up after his first year.
I have just unpacked the carefully prepared by me box of first aid / medicines. It had never been opened and the emergency £10 was still in there .
For his second year the packing will be far more minimalist and I will remember that they do have shops there......