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Higher education

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

Original poster

Uni Freshers parents 2016?

999 replies

granarybeck · 21/08/2016 22:23

hi

I've just been reading recent threads on weekly living costs and what to take to uni and found loads of useful info. I'm certainly finding that there was so much focus on getting the results/not tempting fate that it all feels a bit of a panic now. I have a dd going to warwick and a ds going to bath.

Wondered if there is already a thread for other general tips for those with dd/s starting uni this September?

OP posts:
justaweeone · 14/09/2016 05:39

Gas- my Dd is going to Cardiff met but we don't have a drop off time, she is staying in Liberty court
I believe we can drop off anytime from today, we are going Sat

homebythesea · 14/09/2016 07:50

missnevermind is that Nottm Trent or Uni? Friday not given to us as an option for Uni, and Sunday (which works normally be also used) is out because it is the Nottm marathon so roads round the Uni will be closed 🙄)

GasLightShining · 14/09/2016 14:36

justaweeone Liberty is off campus isn't it so wonder if that makes a difference. DS is on campus. Was initially given a 2 hour slot for today but he told them he was away until tomorrow and said come along on Saturday.

missnevermind · 14/09/2016 16:02

Home it's Nottingham Trent. Am I confusing everybody by calling it the wrong thing. Lol. I'm good at things like that

homebythesea · 14/09/2016 17:00

missnevermind well at least it seems they've had the good sense to stagger the arrival of the students at the 2 different places. Trent used to be the Poly, whereas the Uni has always been the Uni - they are very different beasts (says a former postgrad student at one of them 😉)

justaweeone · 14/09/2016 17:26

Gas - yes off campus
Didn't get first choice on accommodation as firm was Newcastle
Liberty court does look very nice but more expensive( but she is delighted as Newcastle was single bed and shared bathroom)!
But also very excited about coming to Cardiff

GasLightShining · 14/09/2016 20:24

just - DS will be catered. Cardiff was his first choice. He was doing a BTEC so had a good idea that he would be able to get the grades.

We are about an hour and half away from Cardiff so not too far if mum's taxi is required to get home at holidays.

I think Cardiff looks a great place. I hope your DD enjoys her time.

What course is she doing? DS is sport and exercise science.

BennyTheBall · 14/09/2016 21:26

Ridiculous question - ds accommodation has '3/4 size bed'.

What is that? Single, double or some random in between size?

I need to buy bedding and mattress protector and can't seem to find anything for 3/4 size?

OhFuds · 14/09/2016 21:45

I think it's a small double so you might get more results from Amazon etc putting in small double in the search.

Stopyourhavering · 14/09/2016 21:51

Benny, Dunelm do 3/4 sized bedding ( well fitted sheets anyway, which is most useful).... Just used a double duvet/ quilt and mattress protector though

ObiWankyKnobby · 14/09/2016 22:03

Hello everyone! My DD is off to Aston on Saturday. She's been on a gap year, so needs to get her head around studying again. We did the big Dunelm shop a couple of months ago as she's been travelling. Her elder sister started her new job this week, and has moved away to a rented house - and I think I am finding that harder. At least with uni you know they'll be back for holidays.
Anyway, I'm sure Saturday will bring a few tears - just hoping that she makes the very best of her time there.

EllenJanethickerknickers · 14/09/2016 22:18

Cardiff is a great place to be a student. I lived there after graduating elsewhere and loved it. Grin

I think a 3/4 size bed is 4', so smaller than a normal double of 4'6" but enough room for a 'friend!' Wink Double quilt will be perfect and you could always buy a double fiat sheet and teach them hospital corners.

I've got years before my nest is empty, thank goodness. Flowers Obi.

Northernlurker · 14/09/2016 22:18

Dd seems pretty well settled now. Had a FaceTime call with her tonight so I 'met' a couple of her friends too. Only trouble is seeing her has made me miss her more. Goodness me this parenting thing is hard work!

EllenJanethickerknickers · 14/09/2016 22:20

*flat sheet

BennyTheBall · 14/09/2016 22:22

Aargh - 'room enough for a friend'?!

I want to go back 10 years!

justaweeone · 14/09/2016 22:29

Gas - she is doing nutrition
It sounds like a fab uni and hindsight is a wonderful thing but she said that she thinks Cardiff is a much better choice as facilities look great ( haven't been there at to visit)
She's already paid for her gym membership and a colleague of mine visits through a club that she belongs to and said how great it is!
Think they will have a brilliant time

NapoleonsNose · 15/09/2016 07:12

We're taking DD to Reading tomorrow morning. We have an arrival slot and she's in one of the halls slightly off campus so hoping for not too much chaos! She's pretty much packed and I've got the last wash of clothes that she wants to take on today. Its going to be so strange next week with only one in the house. DD and DS get on pretty well so I think he's going to miss her a lot as am I, although I'm putting on a brave face at the moment I will probably sob all the way home in the car

Teenagedream · 15/09/2016 09:17

My DS of to Cardiff Uni on Sat. He is in Liberty Park, we had trouble with accommodation but it looks ok. He is doing Biology. We are in Bristol so not too far away. Twin DD off to Birmingham on Sunday. I'm going to be a mess but they are so looking forward to it I am trying to be positive.

GasLightShining · 15/09/2016 10:47

Benny I ordered protector and fitted sheets off the ebay or amazon and a double duvet

just We haven't sorted out gym membership yet. DS has applied for a job in the sports centre so keeping our fingers crossed. Are you going to get the met rider buss pass?

Teenage My friend's DS is at Cardiff Uni and he loves it.

I plan to have a box of tissues in the car ready for the journey home.

dottygamekeeper · 15/09/2016 12:17

When we got to Falmouth all the beds had mattress protectors on them, and they all looked new - we had taken one, but I brought it home again, so you may find you don't need them.

After the first couple of days where I worried about DS a lot, I am now feeling very positive about this new stage in his life, and just hoping I will feel the same way when DD goes a week on Sunday, though it will be quiet with just me and the dogs at home during the week.

LIZS · 15/09/2016 14:26

Has anyone found a good insurer for dc belongings? The insurance with the room seems limited to fire/flood.

Squirrills · 15/09/2016 15:47

I've never bothered with insurance. DC have laptops and cheapish phones but nothing else of huge value. The cheapest basic policy costs £10ish a month. May as well just replace.
Endsleigh specialise in student insurance, and were incidentally the cheapest when we looked for car insurance for students.

raspberryrippleicecream · 15/09/2016 16:30

DSs uni includes it in rent, and his instruments are already covered on a special policy which includes uni, we checked when we took it out.

LIZS · 15/09/2016 18:00

I thought so too raspberry but apparently not Hmmam most concerned about his tech items which he relies upon for note taking , essay writing etc

raspberryrippleicecream · 15/09/2016 18:15

That's a shame Liz's. Is it possible just to insure the tech stuff on a gadget policy?

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