Uni Freshers parents 2016?

[granarybeck]

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?

Apologies - it's 2-3 weeks for the protection to kick in.

Thanks Dunlurking that's the info I found after they'd queried it with me. Waiting for the nurse to phone back next week to confirm!

In all fairness our surgery is pretty good but I shall ready to fight if they say she can't have it.

Definitely not too young henni. Both my teenagers have had it. DD is 18 and DS, 16, and just about to go into year 12. Hope you sort it out.

My DS has had a letter from our surgery inviting him for an appointment. He is off to uni in a few weeks

DD managed to get a cancellation appointment for her jab, otherwise she'd have been trying to organise it after she started at uni. At least now I can go with her (she's horrifically needle phobic, and needs someone to distract her).

We I had to pay £500 as deposit for DDs halls, but at least I can spread the rest over 8 months (we're paying accommodation, Dd is living off her loan).

Paid £200 deposit and three installments. First one due end of September for just under £2500

still need to encourage dd to get student bank account and rail card.
got food, bedding, towels,
getting lap top

what else???
got to also encourage dd to make GP appointment.
paid the deposit, Currently cripplingly skint.

We stumped up for deposit, but can ill afford it. its on credit which is maxed

Men B vaccine is recommended for all freshens so go back to your local surgery and speak to someone else; book in with GP if necessary
try www.savethestudent.com for useful lists and tips on what to take to college and maybe get the DCs to figure out what they'll need. They're grown ups now.

Student account on list of things still to do. Read that they have to be 18 so waiting for his birthday before sorting

Trawled through 8 charity shops today for crockery. I came up with 4 plates and a bowl and ds has turned them down as too flowery. I am a rubbish mum . I think he'll end up with boringly bland sainsbury's sale white stuff. What have you all done for plates etc apart from beating me to the charity shops and clearing them out before I could get there ?

I'm giving my DD the plates/bowls etc that we already have, I had too many anyway and I had plates we never used.

The Range for us, you can buy plates individually, so two plain white cereal bowls, big pasta bowls, dinner plates and some random mugs and pint glasses. Maybe two of each is too much, but he can always keep one set in his room. Wilkinsons might do similar.

I found on Amazon (back in February time) a box of basics that included 2 very cheap saucepans, a wok, various kitchen utensils, tin opener wooden spatulas etc baking trays and a cheap cutlery set for £50. All cheap and nasty but should last the 3 years. Once he has a proper job/own kitchen he can buy decent stuff.

This was it. 50 piece not £50, a snip at £32!

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1450130.htm

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1584460.htm

Or this at only £20!

Speaking from experience, I'd check whats already supplied with their accommodation. If you buy one of those big kits, and it turns out pots/pans/crockery etc are provided (which they usually are), there may not be anywhere to keep the stuff.

The most useful thing they can take in my experience is a comfy mattress cover. That and a pop up washing basket.

No pot or pans at Warwick, just kettle and toaster. No crockery or cutlery or kitchen utensils. They have an inventory of the rooms and the kitchen so it's easy to check.

Good idea to check before you go mad, though.

I didn't have to buy any kitchen stuff but if I had, I would've gone to IKEA.

Surely you give them your old stuff

pots and pans provided is unusual - none of my 3 have had that. i second IKEA - if they want new - gave my DS £50 and was amazed at the quantity/quality he got.

No where near an IKEA otherwise I would be there like a shot. The only spare crockery is the delicate China dinner service we were given as a wedding present and never use! Maybe the dcs are grown up enough for us to start using it and then we can hand them the old stuff Thanks for all the thoughts - ds going to Warwick where the kitchens have nothing, and everyone self caters.

Thanks also for the car boot sale suggestion. I'll try our local one next Saturday. I can't quite face it on a BH weekend. Enjoy the w/e everyone!

charity shops
tesco value
sainsbury basic. all do loads.

Asda do great towels as well and a handy little bathroom bin for £6.

On EBay I got a new full set of cotton (double duvet cover, pillowcases and fitted sheet) for £19. The halls beds are singles but we were advised to go for double size duvet and linen as Ds is 6'3, the sheet will tuck in fine over the single mattress and thick topper we bought.

Any suggestions for decent matress toppers or covers anyone?