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!

Do they only find out this early which accommodation they've got if they had an unconditional offer?
I'm wondering if DS has heard anything about his accommodation yet (not an unconditional) but as he's abroad with poor mobile signal I doubt he's been able to get into his emails.

Yep, that's what I thought mumslife. Thanks!

PUGaLUGS I suspect that a 3/4 bed will be around 4'/120 cm wide. I would buy standard double sheets/duvet as the following year your DC will probably move onto private rented accommodation where double beds are generally provided nowadays.

Ds has got his second choice accommodation but it's on the main campus, is catered and he's got a single room so he's not complaining

Exeter have a link to a company which sells essentials 'bundles' so that you don't have to transport duvets, towels etc. It's very cheap but you don't have any choice as to what colour you get. I was wondering if it's social death to have been a cheap skate and got the bundle - otherwise we're heading to Ikea

Those bundles are very popular in the USA. I bought one for DS when he did his international year at a US university. From my experience of two DSs, neither were particularly bothered by their bed linen (DDs might well be!). I doubt anyone would judge on that basis!

Thanks Lilymaid

They will provide one set of bedding which won't get changed very often may well be enough because they have nowhere to hang much washing so seem to use dryers at the laundry.
I sent an extra of each but then DS wanted his King size quilt from home, to go on the single bed

The sheets that came with the pack supplied automatically with DS's accommodation were incredibly thin. As we're pillow and duvet. He is not fussy but came home to collect his own bedding from home. That said, they dry very quickly

DD1 has some stuff ready (if she gets a place) including double duvet cover (even if single bed) - thanks to her lovely grandmother! What tog duvet do you buy? Is student accommodation generally cold?

hellsbells99 DS's room was stiflingly hot. This was a modern campus hall. He had his radiator off and window open most of the year. Still had a 15 tog KS duvet to fester under though.

I have bought DS a 10.5 tog duvet.

Need to get him... Frying pan, pan, chopping board, knife, couple of plates, couple of glasses and some cutlery. He is at the moment frying onions for his hot dogs that he is heating up so I guess I at least need to buy him the above so he can do that. Will go somewhere like Home Bargains for these.

Am not going to go overboard with anything. If he finds he needs something then he will just have to go and get it. Apparently his accommodation is next to a Tesco.

Just had my online shop delivered. Driver was lovely and said to DS as soon as you get to Uni, apply for a supermarket job. Two benefits... One being 10% off your shopping and other is it will keep you busy a couple of nights a week which means you are not out spending money on drink. In DS's case it will be less gaming time...

Voice of ancient experience here. Buy an All seasons duvet (9 tog + 4.5 tog). First year in hall likely to be hot, further years in student hovel likely to be cold. Add a fleece blanket as well for freshers flu!

Lilymaid I do have one of those duvets for our spare room so I may well swap it with the new one when DS goes.

Lilymaid I was just thinking we could do with a thread for second year and onwards .
I am hoping there will be some communication between the flatmates so they don't end up with 6 sets of pans etc.

Good tip Lilymaid about the all seasons duvet!

Thanks for tip about all seasons duvet.

I can remember someone recommending a student organiser pad/desk planner, on another thread, but can't find it. Does anyone have any tips for which one is best?, have been looking at one by Dodo.
I have started to put together some bits and pieces for DD, so finding this thread really helpful.

Thanks for the information about duvets!
Aldi have the student special on 28th August
www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/our-specialbuy-events/back-to-college/

Mattress topper or a fleecy topper from dunelm mill
Mattress protector
Fleece throw
Laundry bag (no room for a basket)
Spare ink cartridges/paper
Printer
Ikea bags for taking towels, duvets, pillows etc to the flat/halls (tons fit in them)
Clothes airer
And have a look around your house to see what they can take that you really don't need, saves money and declutters your house!