New Uni starters 2015 (continued from Preparing for Uni)

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Thought we needed a new thread to continue from preparation.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/2466997-Preparing-for-Uni-in-2015-continues

Suspect all have arrived by now...

walking where is she staying Buckingham palace? I'd expect to buy a place for that! I really am having my eyes opened with what you are all having to fund.

2nd yr on in private rental tends to work out more expensive as the contract period is much longer (one of the reasons DD was put off Southampton). I think Sheffield is 52 week contract too, Nottingham is 44 week contract. Included bills do works out much better and less hassle. If bills aren't included companies like Glide can sort them out - but I went into it with a fine tooth comb and it does cost quite a bit more.

Another option is to stay in halls as a mentor at a reduced rate. EG Nottingham Trent offer a 20% discount and Sheffield offers it for free!

Also there are agents booking fees to add in and deposits/1st month's rent sometimes payable months before they are due to move in.

I think it depends what sort of house and what sort of uni accommodation you are comparing with. If you have expensive uni accommodation with en suite then move out it possibly will be cheaper. Private rentals vary so much too.
52 week contracts tend to be cheaper per week but found it all worked out similar. My DDs friend is in private but so much more than my DD but then it's a nicer house!

Headofthehive, this is in London, no surprise there!!

I can't believe I will soon be doing the rounds of open days again with my ds and starting the whole process for the second time! It doesn't seem any less daunting somehow

Snap Fairenuff!

Did is coming home tomorrow for the weekend. She has freshers flu. She also sounds exhausted, that is probably due to spending three nights away at her boyfriends university last weekend though! She is sounding quite sombre when she calls, I'm a little concerned. Im hoping to find out how she really is over the next few days when we can have leisurely chats. She seems to be working all day and every evening as do her neighbours. I'm not sure there is much socialising going on which I'm very surprised about. Maybe they've hit a bit of a wall, a month in.

Ds is in 2nd year in London. Last year catered halves were £9600! This year he is a shared apartment, all bills included at £200 per week. He walks everywhere between 15-20km a day, to uni, the library, back home, going out. Yep London is eyewateringly expensive.

And another snap here, Fairenuff and Horsemad!

Glad everyone's DC seem to be settling in.

Fairy fingers crossed DS gets to go on his placement.

MrsH hope DD is ok.

DS seems to be managing ok on the money we give him. It goes into his account on a Monday. His flat mates all seem to take it in turns with buying bread/butter etc. They thought it would be easier to have one loaf and one tub rather than five different ones and it would be more economical. His accommodation is £125 per week.

DH and I are going up his way on Sunday (for a wedding on Monday) and have arranged to take him out for tea. I am going to make a curry and a pot of Moroccan lamb and divide it into freezer bags for him.

He is enjoying most bits of his course and even volunteered some info over Whatsapp on Tue that he had got full marks on some work he had handed in. He must have been pretty pleased with himself to contact me!

Dd has come home , very poorly ? Glandular fever. She's had a tough week trying to look after herself, including a middle of the night trip to the out of hours doctor so she opted to come home for some TLC rather than us go to stay with her this weekend.

gypsy oh no - your poor daughter having to deal with having GF on her own - bet you glad she is home now. Fingers crossed she makes a fairly quick recovery x

Let's talk EXAM AREANGEMENTS do any of your children need them(or had them at College)? My daughter has been pro-active in sorting hers out with exam officer BUT has found out even though she has a diagnostic report and strong recommendations from her DSA assessor saying what she needs that her Uni aren't allowing her all that she had at A level!

She has severe dyslexia and Visual processing disorder (SPLD) but also has mental health issues. They have allowed extra time (25%) and use of a laptop but NO reader and NO room on own and NO rest breaks! I've told her to email them back as they haven't taken into account her mental health issues and ask for a meeting!

So I guess what I am saying is make sure your DC sort out this well in advance of any exams/assessments so they have time to sort it out.

Thanks Quietly. She's definitely in the right place at home but she's quite worried about catching up on her work.

How's your Dd doing? Is she feeling any better and more settled?

Got back from visiting DD for her birthday. She is loving university and has settled in well, it is such a relief. She has made lots of new friends and has suddenly become so grown up. I was worried about her habit of procrastinating over assignments but she is so focused she is like a different girl.

She did not really enjoy her last year of A levels and was happy to finish sixth form. She used to be very insecure and would worry about her appearance and wouldn't leave the house without make up on. When we met up she was fresh faced and so happy. Despite the intense workload she said she feels like she fits in and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

She knows there will be good and bad days/weeks but at the moment all is well.

Interesting to hear how rents and costs vary from uni to uni...we have just had DD's rental invoice for her first term and it is £1778.26 but that includes the minimum dining requirement of 36 meals and some other compulsory fees, it works out about £222 per week.

Your poor DD Gypsy. Hope she recovers quickly.

Gypsy, hope your DD is soon feeling better. Remember my best friend at school having GF - it really knocked the stuffing out of her.

PUG, any chance of your Moroccan kamb recipe please? Your curry recipe was very much enjoyed, BTW

Quietly - thanks for that advice. Had thought DS had done pretty well on his DSA stuff but would do no harm to check.
Best wished to Dd Gypsy.

DD says "thanks strangers"

Of course you can have the recipe Horse

I use lamb neck fillet, you get two pieces in a pack, I have used three packs. Could use already cubed lamb in a pack (not sure what cut that would be) the neck is cheap though and always goes tender.

Lamb neck, cut into bitesize pieces
1 aubergine, cut into cubes
Two tins chopped toms
Can of chickpeas
Grating of fresh ginger - have left this out before and it still tastes good
1 fresh chilli
Couple cloves crushed garlic
Chicken stock cube (splash of hot water to melt it)
Ground coriander (two tablespoons)
Ground cumin (two tablespoons)
Oil

Put the lamb into a sandwich bag or bowl and mix the coriander and cumin in. I leave overnight, but any amount of time is ok.

Dry fry the lamb until brown on both sides.

Use same pan, put a tablespoon of oil in and fry the aubergine, chilli, garlic and ginger for a few mins. Add chopped toms and chickpeas and melted stock cube. Put the lamb in and bung in the oven on about 180 for a good couple of hours or until the lamb is tender.

I suppose you could bung everything in without frying off the lamb - like the one pot curry for ease.

Sounds delicious *PUGaLUGS, thank you!

My DS has phoned tonight, happy and chatty. He's home next weekend, so I'm looking forward to seeing him.

my Ds is being picked up from station now.
I'm excited. A whole weekend!

Dd came home yesterday for two nights, she has had a cold and cough the whole time she's been there, she arrived with it. I was shocked when I saw her, she looked as white as a sheet and exhausted. I hope you all manage to tempt your poorly students with good food and rest and send them back feeling a bit better, although glandular fever is on another level, I know, poor thing.