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

Signing back in, have been lurking quietly taking copious notes. Thanks so much for all the pictures of rooms, which look fabulous and the personal experiences, the advice has been invaluable. DD is off on Saturday, the house seems to have been taken over with piles of stuff and like Marianne we have spent the family silver in Halfords, Giddy tell your DH to start fitting that rack now it took DH 3 hours with only a few minutes out for tutting, sighing and shaking his head
DD has been waitressing and all her tips are in a jar to pay for the laundry or to pay for drinks so I'm hoping she will be able to afford to separate her whites and coloureds
Good to hear that most of you are hearing from your DC, even if it is at 3am! I've just registered on snapchat, so I'm hoping I may get an occasional late night picture of a silly face, if nothing else.
Good luck for Thursday Felfan and for Saturday Marianne, MrsB Sassy and everyone else.

fellfan, maybe the College would open up the bike store early? Worth ringing Porters Lodge and asking, I should have thought...

I am not expecting much contact from DS unless he needs something - but he answered the phone when I rang and seems to be settling in so far.

He has also been given strict instructions to ring his grandmother at least once a week (she doesn't do electronic communications).

Dh practised putting our bike rack on last week! We have had it for years as the dc used to take their bikes on holiday with us when they were little but it probably hasn't been used for at least 10 years. I have Friday off work to help dd get everything packed up and dh wants everything in the car on Friday so that he can focus on getting the bike on on Saturday morning Dd has adorned her bike with stickers so that it is easily identifiable as hers.

Well dd is still managing to wake me up when she comes home in the small hours - sent me a text at 1am in reply to one I'd sent her earlier...

Dd called Costa Coffee to say she wasn't returning and the manager was quite arsey with her.
But she is free to enjoy college life and work hard.
I tell you, the food bill has gone down....cereal, nibbly things like crackers, cream cheese, olives.. And my vodka is intact!

savage my food bill has gone down too but I am still finding it difficult to cook for one less - especially as the 'one' was a 6ft 3 teenager. I fear DH & I may put on some weight in the coming weeks until I get the hang of the new quantities.

Ha ha bigbluebus DH was appalled when I told him he wouldn't be allowed DS's portion, he assumed we would cook the same and he could eat extra

What I have noticed in the absence of DS a) more clean cups and teaspoons in the draw, b) plenty of clean towels available and c) lots of crisps and biscuits in the cupboard!

He had his first workshop & lecture yesterday so thought I might have heard from him but no, hopefully he will get in touch today.

savage glad you DD said she wasn't going back, no-one should be treated badly at work. I feel so sorry for those having to work like that full time.

Well done to your DD Savage, she doesn't need to be dealing with that kind of treatment.

Here, I've noticed the washing basket isn't as full, which is A Good Thing!

circular
I have been doing the life skills stuff for a while now and not so worried about that. I just can't imagine him in a communal living situation - he is an only child with a small circle of friends( who are not going to Uni) and being around others will be a huge step. I agree that the process of application may help as will open day visits. He does have the option of applying to two local Unis but is set on moving away. I suppose I must let him try but feel that it is such a risk.

August DD had first lectures yesterday too. Althougn I did hear from her, more to moan about washing not drying quickly enough on airer lol. I'm sure you would have heard if they hadn't gone well.

Mumslife sounds like a good deal on your DDs rail fare. Really does seem to depend on the route.

Savage glad your DD has quit such an awful job.

Shopping bill definitely gone down here, again less snacky food, DD2 obviously less of a snacker. DH responsible for the meat/fish part of the shopping, so that has drastically reduced too.
Funny how they seem to learn quite quickly as students what the 'essentials' are - DD doesn't seem to be snacking at Uni.

Good luck to all stil to do the drop off.
This w/e must be the last once Oxbridge go?

lin4 If he wants to go, that's at least half the battle, he wil be determined to make it work.
Seem to be quite a few reports back on how the 'communal living' is working. Some seem to be doing masses as a flat. DD gets on OK with hers, but not socialising much together, nor doing the communal cook thing. Slightly disappointed, but could have been a lot worse.
But it seems, all making friends with course mates.

DS is doing his washing this afternoon!

Spouse looking fierce with cycle carrier

Marianne this shiny new bicycle talk is worrying me. It sounds as though they're all heading for Cambridge though, which is a partial relief. DS has been bequeathed a very very used one by DD2's boyfriend which has been parked up in Oxford since June. I don't think it has brakes and it needs tyres but apart from that it's apparently fine :)

Bike is not shiny! (Or at any rate it is passed on/second-hand, and not a glitzy model. Think solid and serviceable.)

Good luck Horsemad. DD did her first washing load yesterday and we are both still recovering .

Ds has already managed to break his nose and he only arrived on Saturday. Apparently they had rockeoakie at freshers and someone threw their head back and hit his nose. He says it clicks but doesn't have black eyes.

Oh good grief, Bruffin! Hope he's OK.

He is fine

What's the situation with dental care/ prescriptions etc for students?
I assumed it was free but dd had a check up before she went and was charged. Dentist gave me a HC1 form..dear God it's complicated.

DS goes a week today and our preparation thus far has been pretty poor. However, we now have the required black suit and a pop up laundry basket so I am feeling most undeservedly smug. He also gave away his bike a while ago as he wasn't using it. I think we will just wait and see if he feels the need for one whilst he is there. I hadn't even thought about prescriptions etc Savage. Sometimes I think the less I know about what I ought to be worrying about the better. From some posts , I'll just be happy if he gets through a fortnight without breaking any bones . Glad your son is OK bruffin.