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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Freshers week

23 replies

Millipedewithherfeetup · 23/08/2015 12:51

Hi, sorry if this has already been covered in the empty nest thread already, but can anyone advise on this for dd..... any idea on how much money to budget etc, is there day and evening events (she is off to Exeter ),seen lots of things saying its a busy fun week, but not actually sure exactly what is involved. Tia.

OP posts:

StandardEEEK · 23/08/2015 13:09

Hi, I know a bit abt this, and specific to Exeter, although may totally out myself! It will depend what she wants to do - but if she goes on the Guild website she will see in advance all there is to sign up to - here - www.exeterguild.org/freshers/whatson/ , this would be the most important thing for budgeting because you will be able to see if a cost is involved for the activities. This will depend on the society and if they charge. It will also depend on whether she will be drinking I'm afraid! Also if she is in self catered then normal weekly food budgeting will be relevant. In theory it shouldn't be loads more than an average week, although I'm sure some students who are out every single night spend a small fortune in freshers.

There is also usually a freshers app which will have useful info, I'm not involved this year though so not sure on exact details.

With regard to money freshers is a difficult one if you are reliant on loans because they may be yet to come in - if this is the case for your DD ensure she has registered online in good time - this is not just collecting your user name and password but going through the link in the student record and confirming various things, accepting terms and conditions etc.

pinkbegonia · 23/08/2015 13:27

Another one with a DC going to Exeter. He's working like made to pay for Freshers.
He was told by a current student not to buy a wristband as they're not worth it. He was also told to have a vague idea of which societies to join in advance, otherwise he'll end up joining everything.
I want him to have a good time but not to spend all his loan.
Looks like they'll have a lot of fun while we're worrying at home

Original poster

Millipedewithherfeetup · 23/08/2015 15:38

Hi thankyou for coming back to me, and thankyou for that link, wow there is a lot ! She,s looked at the societies and knows for sure that she wants to join the cheer squad and also her subject society, but not sure on any others at the moment, what is tbe wristband for ? Feeling at tne moment that everyone is the know and not us ! Help ! Am so excited for her and so worried too, she is not a big party goer and does not drink a lot so booze wise i,m guessing wont cost too much, was concerned about actual events costing an awful lot, but does not look over the top for now.

OP posts:

pinkbegonia · 23/08/2015 17:12

We're all in the dark too Milli
DS is on a FB page for people on his course which is helping.
I think the wristband is bought in order to get free entry to lots of things but is quite expensive. I'm sure someone who knows will come along.

Kez100 · 23/08/2015 18:46

I don't have Exeter advice but do have some practical information. The loan comes in a few days after enrollment, so they do need shopping money as well as fresher money for at least a week,maybe two.

The fresher wristbands are often sold with the advantage that some events might sell out. Indeed, that was the case for my DD, but not the end of the world. Her whole flat bought the minimum wristband (ball and a couple of other nights) and we're fine.

Try and take a look online for the societies you are interested in as the freshers events get very busy and it's good to know where you are heading!

The first rent can be due sometime after the loan comes in. I know one lad who had spent all his loan by then - clothes shopping, clubbing and drinks and taxis. His parents had to find the money to cover it and for his living expenses (food....no drink!!) for the next term.Others were surprised how little loan was left when the rent was paid - only fresher term problem, the terms they were studying a lot they were much better off .

WhatWas · 23/08/2015 20:26

According to my DC lots of students spend the whole of their first terms allowance during freshers then phone Mum and Dad and tell them they need more cash for all those expensive text books they have had to buy.

StandardEEEK · 23/08/2015 21:50

Hmm, I have heard students talk about the wristband, as others have said, it is just an event thing. Freshers doesn't HAVE to be all getting pissed and spending all your money, and if you don't think she will do that - don't get the wristband!

With regards to rent - I do know about how that is paid at Exeter. You should too as I imagine your contract will be all done by now! If your DD is getting a loan, one thing I would say in response to the poster who mentioned rent coming after loan - is that there is no reason to wait until the payment due date. As soon as the maintenance loan is in her bank account she can pay through the epay website (if she needs to know how much to pay that can also be checked in her student record which is part of 'Exehub'). I would imagine this is the case for all Universities, not just Exeter!

StandardEEEK · 23/08/2015 21:52

Sorry, keep using the word 'your'. As she is off to University that should all be replaced with 'her'. As in 'her' money, 'her' accommodation contract etc!

Kez100 · 23/08/2015 23:28

That's a good tip then - pay straight away!

My DD drinks only a little and was the samr at freshers. However, almost everyone around her did to great excess and in those first few weeks these students were the only people she knew.

It's a pity that at so many Unis (not saying they are all the same) the main scheduled events revolve around the club's. Although I suspect funding comes into it and clubs are prepared to foot some of the bill as they are starting their PR for thisnew group.

A lot of societies could be joined in freshers but the first real meetings took place after freshers, when everyone was back.

Kez100 · 23/08/2015 23:47

Sorry that sounds negative! My DD had a great first year at Uni. After the first couple of weeks it all calms down.

stonecircle · 26/08/2015 00:16

Another one for Exeter here. DS is doing a very good impersonation of not having a clue what is going on. We've just had a discussion about taking him down on 12th in time for Freshers' Week and he was adamant that he didn't need to be there until 16th which is when FW starts according to him - on a Wednesday ......

I'm alternating between a leaving everything to him approach and breaking out in a cold sweat over things I suddenly think he may not have done (did he complete the accommodation/student finance application properly etc). He's off to a Festival tomorrow so he hasn't engaged his university head yet.

He's a bit disappointed that he didn't get allocated accommodation on campus and I'm a bit disappointed that he's been allocated eye-wateringly expensive accommodation in a privately run residence.

StandardEEEK · 26/08/2015 10:53

Stonecircle - where has he been allocated accommodation? Usually in Uni ran accommodation he would be booking an arrivals slot over the arrivals weekend (the usual time to arrive, you may guess by the name!), so you may like to contact the accommodation provider to ask about this for your particular accommodation.

Accommodation prices are hideous aren't they! Same on campus I'm afraid.

RE - student loans - check he has had through, signed, and returned his declaration!

stonecircle · 26/08/2015 11:29

Standard - he's been allocated the Printworks. Looks a bit too posh for him!

Re finance - I've just managed to get him to dig out an email confirming his fees will be paid to the university and he will get the minimum loan.

StandardEEEK · 26/08/2015 11:34

Wow, the Printworks really are a bit posh. I didn't know the University were allocating to the Printworks.

The usual procedure if accommodation fees are going to be a struggle to pay is to go on the waiting list to move to a cheaper accommodation. If your contract has been drawn up by The Printworks I don't know how that will work though because normally if would mean moving between Uni or UPP accommodation which is all managed by the Uni accommodation office. If paying it is not going to leave you completely broke the best thing would be to stick with it, but if it will be a real struggle you should investigate your options.

stonecircle · 26/08/2015 12:01

It's not a problem paying. We did ask for an en suite room and it's only £500 or so more expensive than Lafrowda etc. I'm more concerned about the fact that it might not have a good social mix and that it might be full of wealthy students who have elected to stay there rather than ordinary students who have been allocated a room. I hope not as I don't remember it being an option when he applied (way before the deadline). I spoke to the accommodation office this morning who said they had 10 flats in the block for first year students - so hopefully there will be fair number like ds! He also perked up when I pointed out that it might be 20 mins walk to campus, but only 5 minutes to the town!

grovel · 26/08/2015 15:20

Suzi Quatro was the star act at my Freshers Ball at Exeter.

basildonbond · 26/08/2015 15:26

stonecircle ds has had a welcome email from Exeter - got it a couple of days ago and I force him to go through it today so might be worth checking ...

he's got academic induction meetings at the beginning of that week so I'd be surprised if your ds was free until 16th

stonecircle · 26/08/2015 15:38

Basildon - tried to get him to go through it last night but failed. However, I did point out that, he might not want to go until the middle of Freshers week, but DH and I didn't really want to have to take time off work to take him so it's a lift at the weekend or he's on the train!

He's festival bound now so hoping he will focus properly next week (once he's recovered ...)

Grovel - Freshers Ball?! Do universities still have balls? We had them all the time in my day - every residence and all the big societies had them. But there wasn't much else to do in those days! The only names I remember from my days at a very northerly university were the Jam, Tom Robinson and Dexys Midnight Runners. How ancient am I?!!!

grovel · 26/08/2015 15:48

I think my DS had the occasional ball at Durham. He graduated last year.

Given the recent publicity about sexual harrassment on campuses I don't suppose the theme of my Freshers Ball (Feel a Little Fresher) would be tolerated today!

pinkbegonia · 26/08/2015 17:11

DS has just told me that there's a Freshers Ball at Exeter.
I wonder if it's worth finally buying a DJ, any opinion on that?

stonecircle · 26/08/2015 17:51

DS has one but I got a very withering look when I suggested he should maybe take it. Seems odd to have a freshers' ball - I could see ds going to a ball with a group of mates but not when he doesn't know anybody.

Decorhate · 26/08/2015 18:00

In my day a Fresher's Ball was just a disco, not a formal ball

Isthiscorrect · 27/08/2015 18:43

DS is going into second year, not Exeter. He took his DJ and wore it a couple of times, beginning of term, Christmas and somewhen else. He was not happy at the cost of cleaning lol.
He is working as an ambassador for 5 weeks, helping Freshers. Part of the interview was to put a proposal forward for a no cost no drinking event. It's to be held in halls so hopefully it will succeed in its objective of including the shyer types, the non drinkers and those just not sure.
Good luck to all DC and yourselves. It's a tricky time.

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