Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Squirrills · 01/09/2016 11:54

Dunlurking I came across this yesterday.
This suggests they can watch iPlayer on their parents' tv license as long as the device is unplugged at the time.
If you have Sky then Skygo can be used on a couple of devices.

Dunlurking · 01/09/2016 12:12

That's exactly what I wondered Squirrills but then it says "you only do the above using a device that’s never connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains and you are covered by a licence at another address." In the link above. So as a laptop is obviously sometimes plugged in to charge, does it count? Maybe you have to have a laptop that charges wirelessly? do they exist? Confused

Dunlurking · 01/09/2016 12:26

Ok how does this sound - if the student only watches BBC iplayer on their iPad/tablet - and they gets a wireless charger for it at a fraction of the price of a TV licence then they are covered by their parents' licence??

Dunlurking · 01/09/2016 12:27

Sorry get singular!

Squirrills · 01/09/2016 12:36

The article on save the student seems to suggest it's ok as long as it's unplugged while the watch?
So essentially, as long as you only watch iPlayer on a mobile device that can function without being plugged into power mains and that you avoid charging while you watch on demand shows, you’re exempt from paying (as long as your parents have a TV Licence, of course, and that their home is registered as your primary address – so your home when you’re not at your temporary accommodation during uni)

Dunlurking · 01/09/2016 15:22

Thanks Squirrills the BBC now saying the same thing (as in posted in the last hour!) on their news website here and I've taken a screen shot of it as I'm extra paranoid so I'm happy with that

hennipenni · 01/09/2016 17:00

Well DD got her men vaccine without any problems today. Nearly ready for uni now (I'm not ready for her to go)

NoahVale · 01/09/2016 17:12

still not got a student bank account.
thinking santander for the student rail card, as seen on martins money.

anyone else?

EllenJanethickerknickers · 01/09/2016 17:17

DS is thinking Santander. You can apply online, apparently. My local branch is fully booked up for face to face applications until late October.

LIZS · 01/09/2016 17:22

Ds has booked his Needs Assessment having had DSA approved. It took a few mentions for him to realise he might have more success in speaking to someone if he called during core office hours rather than randomly when he decided to!

raspberryrippleicecream · 01/09/2016 19:13

I wanted Santander for the railcard, DS thinking HSBC as he wants Amazon Prime and vouchers!

TaIkinPeace · 01/09/2016 22:12

Ikea today was knee deep in Mums with daughters checking off their lists (including mine) and Mums with v v reluctant sons Smile

Coconutty · 01/09/2016 22:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dottygamekeeper · 01/09/2016 23:28

My DS headed off to Tescos by himself this morning to buy kitchen stuff, but said he needed my help when buying cleaning equipment - apparently it is too confusing choosing different spray cleaners Hmm

He bought 50 cake tin liners - apparently he wants to christen the hall kitchen by making a cake as soon as he arrives, followed by one every week!

Still hasn't sorted his bank account, but DD, who is also off to uni, says he can convert his existing HSBC account to a student account on line.

NoHaudinMaWheest · 02/09/2016 16:08

Thought I might flag up that Sainsbury's has 2 Silentnight pillows for £7.99 in their sale at the moment, plus various items of kitchen ware half price.

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 02/09/2016 16:16

DD has managed the IKEA trip, but has so far failed at most of the paperwork she needs to do - like actually registering with the uni, and applying for DSA Sad. TBF she is quite ill at the moment, but this stuff does have to be done pretty soon.

She's going for Nationwide for a student account, as they have the best overdraft facilities (doesn't need a railcard, but was a bit tempted by the Amazon voucher).

Guadalupe · 02/09/2016 17:43

Gosh, I hadn't thought of hardly any of this stuff for Ds1. I have vaguely mentioned sorting out a bank account! He said he liked the look of Santander.

He has poked around the pots in the kitchen thinking what he might take.

Had the jab this week.

Haven't cried yet. Perhaps I am in denial

Guadalupe · 02/09/2016 17:48

Probably a good idea to start a list.

Ginmere · 02/09/2016 18:10

We've had a root around the kitchen for redundant bits and pieces DS can take and dug out old towels and tea towels etc. Did the IKEA trip for the rest on Wednesday - DS defo one of the reluctant ones, says he will never set foot in IKEA ever again Grin

DS has also been tempted by the HSBC offer, already has an account with HSBC and is seeing them on Monday to convert it to a student account.

Stopyourhavering · 02/09/2016 18:12

Got a 6 hr drive up to Edinburgh with dd1 tomorrow....she's starting a postgrad ( at a new uni to her ug course)and is going up a week earlier than rest of freshers to familiarise herself with city
She's sorted out her accommodation/ finance/ bank account /DSA and has arranged for a welcome pack of bedding/ kitchen stuff to be delivered to halls so we don't have to cart all these things up there's a trip to IKEA during freshers week so she can pick up anything we've forgotten!
Just got to get dd2 sorted for moving into her student house in 2 weeks
Had bought her lovely Emma Bridgewater single bed linen last year and now discover she has a double bed grr..... won't make that mistake again off to buy plain supermarket bedlinen instead!
Now just to get ds1 personal statement sorted if he'll get off world of Warcraft and decide what he wants to study and where!!
I promise it does get easier... I think
However I still miss them...the house is sooo quiet without them and much tidier

TaIkinPeace · 02/09/2016 19:59

DD is not converting her bank account ....
I've suspended her home gym membership and the money that will save me covers her Uni one
bedding - she's gone for one of "packs" - I'm not entirely convinced but hey ho
the main thing is I'm limiting what she takes to what DH and I took
as she has access to Sunday shopping

she's in a FB chat with many future hall mates so is taking advice

Leeds2 · 02/09/2016 20:06

I love the idea of your DS buying cake tin liners, Dotty! That is such a lovely idea!

When are you all dropping your DC off? My DD started classes on Monday of this week (abroad), so I feel, for once, that I am a bit ahead of the game!!

user1471465062 · 02/09/2016 20:48

My son goes 2 weeks tomorrow. Bank account sorted but new laptop still in the box has been now for 10 days today it made it to his bed.

NoahVale · 02/09/2016 20:51

laptop not purchased yet.
bank account not sorted yet

TaIkinPeace · 02/09/2016 21:06

dd has same laptop she had for 6th form ...