It's real now - leaving home to go to uni (part 3)

[user9512736123]

Here you go @Lucysky2017

List...I need a list.

Admin stuff is coming in thick and fast. DD has got a lot better in the past year, but she is on a Greyhound bus somewhere, and to be honest I think it would start to overwhelm anyone. The University/accommodation stuff is one thing but add in the SpLD stuff (Student Finance are suggesting some sort of ophthalmologist test on top of what she has already - limited appointments and a two month wait) and medic stuff (vaccinations/DBS), as well as the personal stuff (rail card, student bank account, packing) and I think I will need to step in a write a check list. Adding in things like whether she can take a bike on the train, and if so what does she do the other end. DS has already vetoed the photo we were about to send the University, on the basis that it will probably be used for her student card, so selection is required. Our living room involves a mass of stuff which we have just cleared from his student flat (way too much, as he inherited stuff from overseas student friends) which hopefully can be moved to hers.

A task for next week. If anyone has an admin check list, it would be welcome.

Ds is worrying, he's now on the MSci not BSc in the same subject at the same uni. He's told SFE and is fretting that they won't process the change quick enough to pay his tuition fees and that they won't approve the fourth year. The university changed it, he didn't ask them to but he's happy to do the MSci.

That's very strange user to just change it without asking him. What if he didn't want to do 4 years?

My ds has the option to switch to an Msc but can decide at the end of the first year.

That sound very strange to me. He needs to make it very clear which - is he happy to stick at 4 years (I would not be) or needs to be put back to the correct 3 years. If not certain I would be sending them special delivery letters and keeping copies confirming every call.

DD has made contact with a few of her housemates. She started talking to them about what a blast freshers week will be and it seems they are not planning to join in. She is gutted.

Not sure if it's the same, but dd is down to do an meng ( 5 years ) at Surrey. But they all start out the same in year 1. Then there is some juggling when the first year results are known. So she could be moved to a beng 3 year course.

We still haven't received a joining email/pack, although her accommodation is sorted. Anyone else still waiting?

HSMM - my DS never became friends with his flatmates, one of whom never spoke to him, despite being on same course (DH also tried to engage him in convo once when we were there, in kitchen, he was also ignored)

DS's halls had a drinks reception first night, DS got chatting to others in his block, in other flats, went into city with them, got chatting to another guy off his course, and never looked back. He is part of a large group comprising the guy on his course he chattered to, that guys friend (at school together) and people from the other flats in his block. He's moving out with 3 of them (was originally 8 in group but for one reason or another it became 4).

Perhaps suggests she starts chatting to others online in her block, then she can meet up with them for freshers week?

It seemed to be the norm with EEE BEng/MEng that (a) they can switch either way after the first year, dependent on results and (b) there's nothing to stop them leaving with a B if they want. An electrical engineering prof at s'ton told us that a significant number of students specialising in high voltage stuff got good job offers from their work placements and left after 3 years.

So hopefully it works the same for BSC/MSci but definitely wise to find out!

Kath - thanks for the advice. I'll tell her.

At least my last one accepted his accommodation this morning. It looks like you can arrive any time on that day so all I now need is for his twin to bother to look at the field trip email - there seems to be a 3 day field trip on or immediately before the arrival weekend and I need to know the dates and times as we will have to work around that.

None of them has got on to photographs or contacting other residents yet. They did change facebook status to Bristol U on results day and one was in school today with teachers looking at if a paper should be appealed but his twin is going in tomorrow apparently and he is the one with the paper I think should be appealed so I hope he does go in tomorrow.

User95 - both my DDs are on the master degree courses (just finished 1st year). They have until the the end of the 2nd year to decide whether they would prefer just to do the batchelors degree.

Am trying to get ds to engage with getting me some bloody dates for when the postgrads have to register, as I have to book ferries and hotels, plus we have to move house the week before he goes back, and I am stressed out of my head.

I want to get his fees and first term accommodation paid, but trying to get an answer on the amount, returning alumni discount plus paying upfront discount is impossible. I want to know the exact amount so that I can pay it and not have to worry about it.

Yup, like trying to herd cats!!

I have to say my cats are far more amenable to being herded than ds.

Anxiously waiting for Liverpool Uni to let us know which "university approved" accommodation DD has been allocated.
She went in through clearing, so missed the host with the campus based rooms.
I am assuming this is private sector. Just hoping that they put a few first years together, and that it's not too expensive.

Travelled, my DD is in exactly the same situation. We are hoping it will be close to the university and that they will let her know soon where it is. Did the university offer your DD a shared bedroom until Christmas at Carnatic Halls for half rent? DD did not fancy that.

dd has registered and has been given work for a test at the end of the first week!

Her bedroom has an ever increasing pile of stuff to take away to university but I have a nagging feeling that something critical might be missing. Thankfully her university starts a bit later than some others so we have a bit of time.

Student account is all sorted out now.

All dd has is some fluffy slipper boots and a kilo jar of Nutella.

The only thing specifically acquired for taking to uni at this point is an adapter for her toothbrush charger... oh, and the bike.

We did the clothes and stationery shopping today to get some notebooks, pjs and a dressing gown - we have been warned about people burning toast at 3am and there being a fire alarm.

I'm putting off buying anything else because I have to do the back to school shoe shopping which I tend to regard as being a hellish experience.

You all have perfect chidlren. Mine are not reading most of the university emails. One has not even read the one about the field trip just before or on the day they are supposed to arrive. No one is buying anything but I think they can just take their duvets off their beds. If I use sheets from 10 years ago at home I don't see why they should have anything special. I hope they are not ignoring holiday reading. I am sure they will be fine. One had a lot of friends here yesterday and I heard him saying as he left that his course if 60% female and his university itself also high proportion female (I suppose at least he has his priorities right..... mind you it will be improvement on all boys schools since age 4). I am pleased the one who had not yet done so went into school today however to submit his application for a remark on one paper. So it's all fine. They all get ready in their own ways.

We have bought everything except for a bit of food and another duvet set

I want him to have his own bedding so he can come home for a night and not have to bring his stuff

He has packed his kitchen equipment box and food box today

Crikey - when are all your dcs off to uni? DS3 doesn't go for another month and DS2 goes back in 3 weeks so we've done next to nothing.

I did pick up a plastic storage box for DS3 in Sainsbury's yesterday and threw a few things in - a wok, pizza cutter, plasters, razors, condoms etc. But that's all we've done.

I think we have the majority of what we need, this is where I miss not having girls as I would like to buy things to make room homely like throws, cushions, fairy lights but DS1 is very basic and wants bed, duvet, pillow and 1 towel cos "there's only one of me"
However his cooking supplies are quite extensive as he cooks for the family most night and his recipes are delicious, we will miss his adventurous cooking!

Mytime - actually, a throw - or fleecy blanket - is quite useful for a ds. Mine quite often wrap one round themselves if it's chilly or use it as an extra blanket. I sent tough, rugby playing DS2 off with one a couple of years ago and it's definitely seen a lot of use!