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?

I've realised this is probably the longest Ds has been away from home on his own for. Needs Assessment sounded positive, should get some one to one learning support sessions to help keep him focussed and prepare for exams plus some software.

My DM phoned to say she has received a card from DD1 and says how happy she sounds - a huge contrast to last year when everything just didn't gel from the beginning. Fingers crossed that her new start will carry on as well as it has gone so far.

I had a slight panic earlier when DD phoned me as she never phones anyone, I actually thought she was going to tell me she was packing in uni and was on the train home.....but she needed to know her dad's age as she was registering with the gp! Phew it's only took since 4th September for her to get round to finding a gp.

LOL
DD is not moving her GP registration for various reasons
but as Southampton (where we live) was the Uni that had the awful meningitis outbreak years back, she's pretty clued up.

I'm assuming she'll phone over the weekend
but neither of my kids have ever been regular communicators when away from home

She wasn't going to bother with a gp beside her uni but one of her ears is blocked so she had to give in and register plus it will save me from handing in and collecting her acne prescriptions and then posting it.

Don't they have to register with a local GP? Ds's university accommodation said they had to within two weeks of starting.
He did anyway because with some of his issues he needs to have a GP nearby just in case. It didn't require much effort as the university health centre is on the ground floor of his block!

We have checked in obsessive detail : No.
DD has all of her medical records kept here - near to the specialists who know what is going on.
We have a designated adult (vvv old friends) an hour away
and she knows that she has to be organised when she comes home for hols.
Emergency access is national so not affected

Can I just double check.....now that DD has registered in her uni town will she still be registered in her home town?

Place I agree, it is comforting to hear of everyone else going through the same journey. We're all packed to set off to Warwick with DD tomorrow. DS will have done a week. It's going to be a quiet Sunday! It's dh's birthday so gives us a reason to get out and distract ourselves!

Ohfuds the nurse at DS' uni said he can just register as a visiting patient at his 'home' GP practice if he needs an appointment in the holidays

DS is loving it all but worn out with the late nights and vodka.

They don't have to register with GP but on balance it's probably better to be registered rather than have the added stress when they need to see a GP.
They can register back home with the local GP as a temporary patient during holidays. Our GP is all electronic so records are still available. I would not say the same applies to hospitals though - they still push big dusty files of paper around and if DC was having regular hospital consults I'd avoid moving.

Ds isn't registering with the college health centre but seems to think he could use it if needs be.

Boast from proud mother. Got a thank you card from DD today "thank you so much to you both for all your support in both getting me to uni and helping me cope now I am here. I really feel like I'm settling in well now, I know what to do and when to do it, my room seems very homely and surprisingly still tidy and I feel like I'm coping with independent living very well. I miss you both very very much and can't wait to see you in October. I miss sitting around of an evening and I miss coming home and telling you guys random thoughts that pop into my head. I love you lots and lots, thank you for being the most amazing parents!"
Is she trying to break my resolve not to weep profusely!!!

Aww

That's lovely jaxx!

My DD attends hospital appointments in her home town, it would alot easier if she could attend them where she stays at uni but if she does that she has to go on the waiting list and it took ages to be seen by the dermatologist here so is just going to arrange Friday appointments so she can come home at the weekends every few months.

DS had to register with the Uni health centre (don't think this is the same as registering with a GP is it????) but his home GP is happy to keep prescribing repeat medication for a chronic issue, which I will just send to him in the post and pay for once he turns 19

Jaxxyj

jaxxuj - expect a request for some money in a few days time!! (actually i'm just jealous and green with envy)

Good luck to those starting this weekend.

Good luck for this weekend's drop offs.

Good luck for those start this weekend.

Home once they are 19 they can claim for help with health costs on low income grounds. Download an HC1 form. It asks for details of student loan, parental contributions and rent. Unless you are funding them very generously any student should qualify.
It also entitles them to free dental treatment, free eye tests and help with the cost of glasses and fares for hospital appointments.

Yy to getting the HC1 form.

Yes our dentist gave us a copy of the HC1, job that still needs doing.

Boxes/ bags all packed and ready to go for tomorrow. I've made him brownies and flapjack, and DH has made him chili jam.

Only an hour away so not too bad for travelling