Preparing for Uni in 2015 continues...

[Chillywhippet]

New thread

Old one here with loads of info

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/2408327-Preparing-for-Uni-in-2015

Best wishes to everyone who is taking their dc this weekend.

Can I just add that if you havent already bought one, then a clothes horse is a goid thing to take. DS has told me that the dryers in his halls just make the clothes hot and wet as opposed to dry. Although drying clothes in the room is not ideal, I think students might need to air stuff out in their rooms. Quite a few of ds flatmates are talking about buying clothes horses.

Cooroo I am very sorry for your loss. DH lost his mum this summer - it is very hard to see ds going off and knowing how much she would have liked to be there.

Cooroo - sorry to hear about your mum. We're in a bit of a parents dying and children leaving home phase of our lives so I do sympathise.

I'd been dreading ds going to to uni and struggled to keep it together on the drive down last weekend. However, some of you may find, as I did, that when you see your dcs' excitement at their new surroundings and the new life they are about to embark on, it's difficult to be too sad. DS was quiet on the way down and a bit grumpy the preceding week (he admitted he was a bit apprehensive) but when we got to his flat he was fizzing with excitement. One of his flatmates was already there - very friendly and eager to get to know ds. So it was difficult to come away feeling too sad. Helped that we had a night in a nice hotel on the way home. I realise that won't help you bigbluebus, but I'm sure you'll feel better soon. After only a week I keep forgetting that ds is 250 miles away and not just 'out'!

Thanks Stone Hoping to get a night in a nice hotel if we go and visit. DS didn't go out very often - except some evenings to work. It will take me a while to stop thinking that he is just sitting upstairs in his room or in the corner of the computer room glued to a screen. I have been getting DD up and ready this morning (she's disabled) and DSs bedroom is opposite hers. I was going to strip his bed but part of me keeps thinking he might change his mind at the last minute and come back home tonight (He does has form for backing out of things at the last minute due to his ASD) so I think I'll leave it until tomorrow.

Dd and I have decided we are going to write letters to one another (don't laugh ) so I have been searching for nice writing paper - not that easy to find in this day and age! We will obviously, text, call, skype etc as well but we wanted to have letters that we could keep. I have a box full of letters from my time at university from my mum and dad and siblings as well as my school friends and if I read them now it just transports me back to that time. It will also be nice for dd to go to her pigeon hole and have something waiting for her. She wants to be a writer so she will love the chance to wax lyrical about life at university!

Positive thoughts winging their way to everyone doing The Trip this weekend

We're a week into Ds Not Being Here and it's pretty weird- the house is so quiet, there's milk and juice in the fridge, there are towels in the airing cupboard and I just walked into the boys' bathroom (something I normally avoid for the sake of my sanity) and it was tidy
It's a good thing I start my new job on Monday (eek)

We've had a few texts and things seem to be going well and he's coping on crutches. He was supposed to call last night but he was too busy calling his girlfriend (still in sixth form so left behind) and then he was going out 'with the lads' to watch the rugby

Dh is going down next weekend for a quick visit as he's been away for work for the last month so will be able to report back

I'm so sorry about your mum cooroo. My mum died last year and it's been very hard - Ds says the first thing he thought when he got his results was how proud she would have been of him - he was her first grandchild and they always had a very special bond

That will be lovely mrsbartlett. No chance of getting any letters off DS - he hates writing (maths/science type). I did pack a book of stamps for him but I was thinking more of business type correspondence and hopefully a birthday card for his sister next month (he did actually write birthday dates onto his calendar!!!).

Have read most of this thread - but feel I'm coming very late to the party!
Ds isn't off for 2 more weeks - it really is the most long drawn out process and has seemed to go on for ever!

The information re accommodation says he can have a "4 way floating socket" but not an "extension cable"?? Does anyone know what the heck this might mean?

Also, how many dcs have taken printers with them? If not have they wished they had? When I suggest to ds that this might be useful he rolls his eyes and says it's a ridiculous idea.. Grrrr.

Best wishes to everyone heading off today. Have got to the point where I almost wish he was going today rather than the long goodbye going on...

giddy my DD Has taken a printer but mainly because she got funded for one through DSA! My DD isn't allowed extension blocks and has to use an extension lead with 4 plugs sockets in!! If confused then maybe worth an email to accomodation to confirm what they want you to use! Good luck

Just finishing packing the car. "All packed " says DS2 wandering off back tot he computer.
"Do you need a duvet and bedding?"
DS2 wanders back upstairs to find them. I imagine we'll be stopping off en route to UEA to buy numerous forgotten items.

I'm glad DS settled on a City Uni rather than a campus, at least if we get there and find we've forgotten something vital it's easily rectified.
We're setting off after lunch!

Yes DS has one- he is rather vague about it, it was emailed to him

Hello all - I did the trip yesterday - DD off to big city uni, not campus. SHe was paralysed by anxiety in the last week and I felt like I was dealing with a very little child, and had to chivvy her along to pack anything.

Got to halls yesterday and again she was in a right state, very shaky and couldn't focus on anything. I had planned to unload the car, make the bed, take her shopping and then go home (3 hour drive). DD managed to faff about in tears, couldn't focus...I ended up unpacking everything for her. But at least we got the room looking OK.

Next stop the big massive superstore next to halls - got to the first food aisle and she burst into tears, so we abandoned the trolley and went for a late lunch and a cuppa.

She spent 2 months in the USA, and only came home 2 weeks ago. instead of preparing her, she feels she hasn't had enough time at home . Said goodbye and she again cried and cried. It was like starting preschool all over.

But - Text her last night, she was going out with a roomie. And the flat next door. And the girls from upstairs have invited her for a coffee and everyone i being really friendly and and and..... She will be fine. They have plans for a chilled out evening and a laugh, and 2 more roomies will be arriving this weekend.

The only down is that one of the roomies wanted them all to eat halal, and one of the other roomies had a big point of view about animal welfare so there is some tension in the house already. They will have to figure it out (DD wont give up on her sausages and bacon for anyone!)

for you cooroo.

Woke up to a whatsapp message from DS sent at some ungodly hour saying to remind him never to drink mexibombs again.... This is the DS that doesn't drink or go out .

for those leaving DC at their accommodation this weekend.

It's societies fayre today at DS's uni. He just texted DH to consult over joining the rugby society at an eye-watering £220!! That does include kit and 'stuff' though but even so, I wasn't expecting it to be that much.

DS did take a printer - though I expect it's still sitting under his desk. The hall he's in does offer a printing service though it's 10p a sheet

All going well here. I was a bit emotional first thing, but once we arrived it was a whirlwind and a great distraction.
Have left DS on campus and we're shopping in the city.
His room is fab and it's all new and lovely!

Glad everything it going to plan horsemad too much distraction to get emotional wait until its time to leave, all of a sudden it all comes flooding back. Enjoy the rest of the day
plug glad to hear your DS is settling in, big relief for you.
DD says shes going on a pub crawl with pyjamas on, arranged by students on her course fresher's is starting in 2 days time. Shes decided she is going to join the Circus society learning to juggle I think??? The Book Club, Cake society and society for the subject shes studying. So far no home sickness thank goodness.
Good luck everyone for those moving their dc today.

We delivered dd this morning, it's only half an hour away but in a big city. We could not have got anything extra in the car and dd and I had bags on our knees so I'm glad we weren't going further.

There were no restrictions on parking times and we managed to get right outside the building. Her room is lovely, large as its a Victorian building with two beautiful common rooms.

We unpacked and had a quick sandwich then she said she wanted to meet the others so we left. I don't feel sad, I feel so excited for her. There were no tears and she's promised to text tomorrow. Everyone seemed very smiley and her new neighbour, who she has been messaging for a couple of weeks, was there to meet her, I hope they bond. There's a drinks party in the common room this evening, then I suppose some madness will happen.

It did help that the sun is shining and it's very warm. Knowing we can get to her in such a short time if necessary is probably the main reason why I feel so calm, I've not been in her room yet though.....

Totally relate to what you're saying Marianne. Especially the sudden panicky announcements about what "everybody else". It's sounds a lot more straightforward with sons - sweeping generalisation, I know.

DS has arrived at Uni. I had hoped that DH would help him unpack and hang around for a short while. However, in spite of the official check in times being up to 2.30pm and DS not arriving until 3.40pm, DH says the parking was chaos and he was only allowed 20 mins (it said 30 on the website) so it looks like he unloaded, helped DS hang his shirts up, put bedding on bed and then left immediately.
I messaged DS on Whatsapp. He says he's met a few of his flat mates (there should be 10 others in total) but didn't comment on what they were like. He also didn't respond to me asking him what he's having for tea. I couldnt give a monkeys what he eats today but just don't want him going out drinking on an empty stomach . I know he's read the message - he's just not responded!

Oh bigbluebus, that sounds like a rather rushed arrival, I hope he doesn't feel too bad about that. I wonder if boys are worse at keeping in touch. Dd has just skyped us. She has met all but three of the people on her floor now, they must be coming tomorrow. She's been out exploring the campus and has found the local tesco express with a few of the girls. 14 crowded into the kitchen to eat their first meal.

They are just going to the union this evening, which is next door, so I can relax now. She looked extremely happy.

I have a dilemma but have started a new thread as not wanting to clutter this thread as aware lots of people still preparing. Please have a look at my WWYD if you can.

cooroo what an emotional time for you. I'm sorry.

stonecircle £220 OMG. I was planning to pay DDs gym membership but haven't as cross - see my new thread