Preparing for Uni in 2015

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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!

Certainly when they increased the tuition fees a few years ago those already started stayed on the lower amount

I'm going to have two there at same time if S1 goes. Trying not to think how much that's going to cost!

Snap Decorhate, scary isn't it?!

My DDs are only a year apart and both planning on 4 year courses (plus possible placement year but hopefully that will be paid). No holidays for us for a few years!

In a game of Top Trumps I win. Possibly three going at the same time for a long time (all four of mine are teenagers).

Or lose depending on which way you look at it. sticks head in sand

Sorry, I can beat that as I will have all four at uni from September (assuming DDs grades are ok) DC are close in age but the main reason is that DC1 is doing 6 years (medicine plus an additional year doing a masters) andDC2 is doing 5 years. The other two are planning 4 years.

Luckily they are all at Northern Unis - and DC1 got in at the £3000 fee

The goes to WhytheDrama.

Mumslife, dd & ds1 are four years apart but then she decided to do medicine. I have a feeling she may still be studying when s2 is due to start...

I'll take the crown for the moment but isn't there a Mumsnetter with triplets who are taking their A'levels - I feel shakey just thinking about how that must work out. Imagine results day. At least mine did their exams one at a time and that was bad enough

The thing that I have been surprised at is how it's been so different for each of my kids. They are all doing science/maths type degrees but each experience has been so very different. Tuition costs, student loans, student numbers caps, changes in A'levels, the rise of unconditional offers ...everything keeps changing. I keep thinking I've got the hang of it and someone moves the goalposts .

I met a Mum on an open day last year who had triplets doing A levels! Can't imagine what that feels like.

Mine are 1, 3 and 2 school years apart. So we have 2 at uni for several years, but not three thank goodness.

Ive just bagged some sale bargains on Debenhams website luxury 13.5 tog duvet reduced from £120 to £35 and pillows from £20 to £6, bedding sets from £35 to £17.50 all with free delivery.
We are trying to get bits and bobs every month to spread the cost.

Good idea sassy There are definitely some good bargains to be had. I know some unis offer bed packs which saves transporting duvets and pillows.

I buy the new stuff for me and give the kids the old tat to take to uni.

DS1 has just had his accommodation comfirmed. Am so pleased for him as he has got into his first choice, plus his pal from college who is going to do the same course is in the room next door.

Does anyone know what size beds they have at Northumbria? It does say 3/4 on the website but what on size bedding am I supposed to buy? Single will be too small and double will be too big in terms of fitted sheets.

sassy am going to have a look at Debenhams this aft.

He had a conditional offer mumslife, but he did a btech at college and was signed off a while ago already knowing his results. There is a Freshers FB group for the uni, I have said to him it my be worthwhile him getting on there and seeing if anyone else has been signed up for the same flat - think there are 6 to a flat.

Will get him to ask in the student room about the bed size.