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 have a toilet brush in the box labelled 'crap I told my mum not to buy.'
He is going to hate that box

We dropped dd at Dundee yesterday. Got home at 2.30 am. Pretty successful drop off. I managed not to cry too obviously. Feels v weird though.
However as other dds were away for the night dh and I have made the most of the empty house

In terms of stuff dd had been very organised with packing and it all fitted in ok. We got some nice bed linen from ikea and a couple of big cushions. Desk lamp - very glad we got this as there wasn't one. I took 9 loo rolls so that should last her. Glad we didn't take a clothes horse as there wouldn't have been room.
She sent a text saying she was getting on ok with everyone. Seemed to be mostly women at her end of halls. Dh and I did feel slightly smug as younger than most parents dropping off I was on,y 21 when she was born
Bloody glad to have two more at home including 9 yr old dd3 though!

Ooh, can I join?

I dropped DD off at Aberdeen yesterday. She's at Causeway View, which is new for 2016. Very nice! I know we can't have forgotten anything, as we used the same list that we used for DS last year (he's at Edinburgh Uni).

Thoroughly recommend downloading a list of what to pack, from student websites.

In fact, I'll cut and paste my list here. It's exhaustive and you won't miss anything if you use it.....

List of what to take to University Halls of Residence

Stationery items:

Text books
Packet of A4 paper
Notice board
Diary
Notepads
Pens & pencils
Wall Calender
Highlighters
Clips
Rubber bands
Ruler
Eraser
Sharpener
Stapler
Pencil case
Scissors
Cellotape
Paper clips
Post its
A4 ring binders
Plastic wallets
Calculator

Hardware:

Laptop and laptop bag
Printer
Ink cartridges
Ethernet cable
Memory stick

Bedding:

Duvet
Duvet covers
Pillows
Pillow cases
Sheets
Mattress protector
Sleeping bag

Home comforts:

Rug
Cushion
Z bed (for guests)

Clothing:

Coat
Sports kit
Various clothes
Pants
Socks
Shoes
Jammies
Slippers
Dressing gown
Watch

Toiletries:

Ear plugs
Shower gel
Shampoo
Razors
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Holder for toothbrush
Nail clippers
Soap
Bath towel
Hand towels
Perfume/aftershave
Sanitary wear

Medical:

Paracetamol
Cold remedy
Piriton

For eats/drinks:

Tea
Water
Hot chocolate
Powdered milk/small milk portions
Tins of food (beans/curry etc)
Pasta pots
Noodles
Biscuits
Chocolate
Cereal
Sandwich box
Microwaveable bowl
Sandwich bags
Plates
Bowls
Glass
Mug
Cutlery
Tin opener
Bottle opener
Beer

Documentation:

Passport
Uni offer letter
Driving licence

Other:

Headphones
Backpack
Satchel/bag
Door wedge
Pack of cards
Umbrella
Wallet/cards/money
Extension lead
Chargers
Torch
Mobile phone
Guitar
Bike?

If they are in a flat share, try to connect with other students in the same flat, to co-ordinate who takes what, kitchen wise. Like, I'll bring plates and bowls if you bring mugs and cutlery. You get the drift. That's what we did for DD. Worked very well.

Dd3 off next Sunday and we are hoping to get everything on Saturday! That list reminded me I am totally not prepared dd is only concerned with her 'toolkit' that remains unbought and apparently she won't be allowed in the door unless she has all the correct tools Must get a move on!!

Bloody Santander student account! Opened it online and sent a copy of her place confirmation letter to them then got a letter back to say it wasn't good enough and needed 'proper' confirmation. As other students on her course had used an identical letter in setting up a Santander account we went into our local branch who said it was ok and set it up for her. A few days later Santander wrote to us again and said it wasn't enough and didn't prove she was starting a course. So annoying so am giving them a miss. Only wanted it for the railcard anyway.

Btw, Home Bargains and B&M are great places to stock up. Much cheaper than the supermarkets and good quality.

sainsbury basics. asda basics, all pretty good.

MaryField I thought Santander just needed you to put your student loan into the account. What a pain. DS1 is still to set up a student account and was thinking Santander.

Injection done yesterday

Bank account opened with overdraft and credit card (I am going to set up the PIN number and not tell him unless there is a emergency - his idea not mine).

Couldn't get an appointment with Santander for 2 weeks so went to HSBC who are offering £60 Amazon voucher and free Amazon Prime for a year. The chap was telling me that at this time of the year they have one adviser each day with no appointments booked just to deal with students coming in which I can only presume is more organized than Santander.

Just pillows now to buy. Do need storage boxes but will wait until we go down as unsure what size to get to fit underbed.

Do they need a student account. DS just has his bog standard Lloyds one and that's the one that his money will be put into.

I'm not changing DDs account (she needed a visa card all through 6th and my overdraft is cheaper than hers )
student accounts are just a rook IMHO
the poor beggars have enough debt as it is
is old enough to have had grants

DD set up a Santander student account online. I have no idea what she used as confirmation of student status but it seemed to be fine. She hasn’t got a student loan so it wasn’t that. Must have been her confirmation e mail from her uni.

I think a student account is good as they get a decent interest/charges free overdraft.

I thought the idea of a student loan is that there is the 0% overdraft. I have told my DS that it is not a target and that if he gets a job he will only need it in case of emergencies.

Student accounts are only good for overdrafts really and only then if they are sensibly used. A normal bank account is fine if this facility is not necessary. At the moment the student loans are going in to our account and house rent and tuition fees will automatically go out from there as well until dd can get her own one sorted.

Have shamelessly copied the list further up and have now stuck it up in the kitchen. Feel more organised already thanks to this thread!

Ellen, all student accounts need verification of course acceptance afaik and normally HE establishments send out a letter confirming a student's acceptance of a place that is acceptable to Santander. Dd is studying at LAMDA and only has a letter to confirm a place for her. She accepted by email so doesn't have 'proof'

Well, DS went for Nationwide in the end as it gives one of the largest free overdrafts. He just needed his UCAS unique 4 digit code as verification so could do it online. He just needs to pop into a branch with his passport or driving licence.

I think we are going to go for nationwide as we all have existing accounts with them. Sounds much less hassle Ellen!

My daughter left yesterday for Aberdeen too and I'm really feeling it! Miss having here, worry about her on her own, but also so proud she is doing this. Just wish it was closer! I'm sure I'll have more tears in the days to come.

dd looked at all banks in the high street for the best deal, she probably forgot Nationwide

MaryField, if your DD already has a savings account with them it might be even easier. I quite like the fact they're still a building society, too. My old building society became a bank and got subsumed by Santander.

All these Scottish universities start so early, and are so far away from me. I feel lucky DS is going to Warwick, just over an hour away, close enough that he can get home quickly and fairly cheaply, but far enough away that he doesn't feel like he has to. And that it was the course he liked the sound of the best.

With banks, don't forget to take into account if there is a branch where your dc is going to university or not. Not everything can be done on t'internet.

CaptAmerica Ive felt the same since I dropped my DD off at Aberdeen yesterday, I've sent her a couple of messages today and it's been a struggle not to bombard her with more. I just hope she is not sitting alone too much and is out making friends, I feel quite teary everytime I think about her being away.

I lasted till 4pm before texting dd. Got a nice chatty text back, request for a scanned copy of her results and the recipe for rocky road which I took as a v good sign. She was going to look at the sea with a couple of the other women on her floor. Sounds ok. I think dh and I are both a bit bemused really. It just feels weird. Not sad. Just odd.