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Higher education

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

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Original poster

What happens on arrivals day at university

48 replies

bevelino · 01/08/2017 22:52

Are the roads into university cities on arrivals day clogged up to the hilt? Also what happens with parking when you actually get there with all their clobber. Do parents get the chance to unload the car and say goodbye to dc before the next car load of students pitch up?

OP posts:

HeddaGarbled · 02/08/2017 17:23

Manchester was really gridlocked on the Saturday before Freshers - it was a slow moving traffic queue into Fallowfield. No problems parking though and I don't remember being hassled for time. We had a choice of waiting in a queue for the one operational lift in the hall or walking everything up 6 flights of stairs and no-one was available to help, just lots of other stressed looking parents lugging stuff about whilst their offspring either showed off or cried!

PUGaLUGS · 02/08/2017 17:30

DS1 got a time slot. Think it was between 11am and 1pm. Road busy into the uni town.

Arrivals were very structured.

Went into this underground car park, told where to park. Soon as the engine was turned off two helpers were at our car with a trolleys whilst DS1 went to the registration desk for his keys. Helpers loaded everything into the trolleys. Went up in a lift came out and more people were there to take us on to the next bit and across to his flat. They unloaded everything into the DS's room. I repaid them in homemade brownies and millionaires shortbread . Meanwhile DH had to move the car to the nearest public car park which was right next door. DS's accommodation was built on top of a huge Tesco extra.

We were first there so after putting the stuff in his room we walked into town for some lunch and a couple of bits and pieces. Once we were back everyone else was there and we just left him to it.

Funnily enough, DS helped the new students last year and he helped move someone into his old flat. He said it felt weird.

Stopyourhavering · 02/08/2017 19:12

Dd 1, no time slots....just arrived (late because of horrendous 340 mile trip)....quickly made up bed then left her to it! Did meet up with her next lunchtime to say goodbye before heading back home
Dd2 again no time slots....arrived and directed where to park ( not easy in a busy city centre, with NO street parking or hall's parking)....and then had to lug her stuff up 4flights of stairs -however did provide a huge box of home baked Nigella chocolate Brownies for both dd's- great icebreaker for flat mates and now keep being asked to supply said baking at start of each term!)
Ds ( if he gets first choice uni!) is going to same uni as dd1 and has spookily ended up in very same halls....and almost same flat!
Will be providing same box of chocolate confectionary!!

raspberryrippleicecream · 02/08/2017 20:58

All parking restrictions were lifted round campus at DS's uni, and arrivals were staggered over two days. No time limits.

We went to a parents talk, but not really necessary.

Parker231 · 02/08/2017 21:14

DT's both had time slots (different Uni's). We turned up and there was lots of help to unload the car. We helped getting everything into their room but then left them to sort themselves out and meet up with other students. We took one DT one weekend and the other the next - quite depressing at the time to go from 4 of us in the house to just DH and I. It took a while to get use to the quiet!

blueskyinmarch · 02/08/2017 21:21

We had a time slot with DD and got all her stuff out and into her room. Then DH went and moved the car further away and we had time to help her sort out her room a bit so we could take empty bags away with us. We didn't hang about long as other students came to introduce themselves and she looked like she wanted to go and mix.

Original poster

bevelino · 02/08/2017 21:37

Thank you for all your replies and I am reassured that arrivals will be ok. Dd won't want us hanging around for too long after we have dropped her off as she will, (exam grades permitting) know quite a few other students who will be starting this year and her cousin is also joining her at the same uni.

OP posts:

goodbyestranger · 02/08/2017 22:05

Which uni bevelino? If it's collegiate, which it sounds as though it might be, then arrivals protocol varies to some extent and some colleges are significantly stricter than others, due to the vagaries of the character of the bursar also possibly the need to try to curb traffic chaos. One variation is to allocate slots from relatively early in the morning according to first letter of the student's surname but with complete disregard to where in the UK the student is travelling from.... Also, some invite parents to a decent tea with sandwiches, cakes etc and a talk from the President/ Warden etc, some offer a cuppa from a thermos and some offer nothing at all.

goodbyestranger · 02/08/2017 22:08

Roseformeplease sorry missed your post. As I said, depends on college but with a drive like that I hope your surname doesn't begin with A and you're not headed for Oriel :)

ThinkOfTheHorses · 02/08/2017 23:07

My parents stayed for like 2 hours with me - time to unload, unpack everything, make my bed and have a cuppa with my new housemates x all was well dw- they're v well organised x

ThinkOfTheHorses · 02/08/2017 23:07

And yes I had 3 third year boys help carry all my stuff ( they weren't happy when I said I was on the fourth floor 😂)

Fifthtimelucky · 02/08/2017 23:21

Roseforme: be warned: I have never known anything like the chaos of dropping my daughter off on day 1. I guess it depends on the college but my advice is to arrive as early as you can, so if you are having to stay at least one night, I'd make it the night before. I get a 45 minute parking permit (very central college).

I have timed it better since the first day and now it's not too bad dropping off at the beginning of term, but picking up at the end is far worse because my daughter has never packed.

You'll have to get used to it. If your college is like my daughter's, the room will have to be emptied at the end of every term. It's a real nuisance (but helps keep costs down)!

Fifthtimelucky · 02/08/2017 23:25

PS: driving in the centre of Oxford isn't too bad on the whole but beware the section of the High Street that is for buses, bikes and taxis only (I didn't spot it in time and got a fine).

BananaSandwichesEveryDay · 02/08/2017 23:25

Several years ago now, but DC university staggered arrivals over a week. There are a lot of different halls on campus so staggering it meant everybody could park near their halls. As we drove in we were directed to the relevant halls. Just before we got to the car park we were met by several second and third year students who sorted out soon keys and directed us to the best place to park. Once parked, in the time it took us to get out if the car, third years had emptied it and by the time we arrived at the room, it was all there ready to unpack. DC and I had to go to the common room to get things like internet password and for me to pay for several things (freshers activities and other stuff). We helped DC make bed, sort out which kitchen cupboard etc to use and get computer set up. We then left DC to get on with it. Already in the room was a welcome pack from the halls committee, which was full of really useful bits for someone living away from home for the first time. I thought that was a lovely touch.

AtiaoftheJulii · 02/08/2017 23:49

Dd's not-city-centre college was pretty laidback - I think there was a 2/3 day period during which freshers could arrive so it wasn't pressured and I could drive right into college.

AtiaoftheJulii · 02/08/2017 23:52

And yes, picking up at the end of term is worse in Oxford because everyone is trying to do it at exactly the same time, but easier elsewhere because they're not! Ime

Encourage your Oxford dc to stay up to help with interviews in December - made collection day far more relaxed

Needmoresleep · 03/08/2017 08:11

We foolishly seem to have booked a holiday so will be away the weekend DD is supposed to arrive at University. I am assuming it will be OK for her to arrive by train with a suitcase, stuffed with a change of clothes, a lightweight duvet and pillow, and enough money for take aways, and for me to drive down early Monday with everything. Will she be the only one with flaky parents? Hopefully at least a couple of others will have brought with them cake from home to share. I assume I can arrive just as they are getting up so she will have her kit for sports trials etc.

(Better still she might hitch a ride in Lucy's horse box!)

Gannet123 · 03/08/2017 10:06

Needmoresleep That's exactly what happened to me - a very long time ago. Dragged a massive suitcase on the train (via London) and got the bus to the university. It felt a bit odd - the best advice I got was to bring a radio with me in case my room felt a bit empty (nowadays I'd probably say devices/laptop etc.) and one or two things to make the room feel homey.
But I warn you - nearly 30 years later I still haven't let my parents forget it....!

onadifferentplanet · 05/08/2017 08:35

We are in the fortunate position that Ds' offer is already unconditional so we have been able to make arrangements early. Ds is going with his sister and partner who have turned it into a bit of a short break for them too. Their plan as its a long journey is to travel up the night before and stay in a Premier Inn a short distance from where they are going so they don't arrive tired after a long journey. .The intention is to drop him off then leave him to it and they have a central hotel already booked for that night, they intend to spend the next day exploring the City and will take him for any shopping etc he wants and out to lunch if he wants before they head home. Though I imagine he may prefer to do this with his flatmates.
One other tip from the 2 of mine who have already done this is that while booze and a cork screw are a welcome introduction there are also lots who would prefer a decent cup of tea and a bit of cake. One of Ds' first Uni purchases has been a tea pot!

Needmoresleep · 07/08/2017 10:09

Gannet123, don't worry. we are already well into the dog house, and for several months this has been used as a prime example of our poor parenting. From a girl who is happily coping with a gap year working on another continent. We are refusing to feel any guilt.

latedecember1963 · 07/08/2017 17:34

Marlinspike, thank you for the tip about the doorstop. DS1 became very isolated when he went to uni several years ago and while he and DS2 are very different I am conscious that halls of residences can be both crowded and lonely at the same time.
Like onadifferentplanet's DC, DS2 has an unconditional offer so his accommodation and dropping-off time-slot are all booked. Nearer the time we need to have a practise run at packing the car as he has a cello. He's looking onto the possibility of taking himself and the cello on the train and meeting us on the campus.

user53592952153 · 11/08/2017 14:35

A tip we had was to give the child a bottle of vodka & some mixers & glasses....

A tip we had was a pack of hangover remedies for the next day.....

1stDinkyDecker · 11/08/2017 14:49

Had a time slot to drop off, unloaded everything into the room, left her unpacking while we went to the supermarket. Bought her a big shop, went back to drop it off and then left.

She made her best friends on that first day, one from her shared flat and two from the flat downstairs.

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