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Higher education

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

Original poster

Two uni arrivals, one date - how?

37 replies

IssieN · 23/08/2017 07:48

Is anyone else in the position of having two children going to uni in different parts of the country and having the same arrival day? Any suggestions how to do it?!

OP posts:
happyinherts · 23/08/2017 07:52

They're over 18. They're adults, not children. Leave them to sort it. Mine's gone to a uni in USA on his own and had to sort out accommodation, furniture, transport etc. They'll cope when they have to.

Fletcherl · 23/08/2017 07:53

Ring and explain to the university they are well used to this sort of thing.

SavoyCabbage · 23/08/2017 07:56

Get a friend to drive one of them with all their stuff? Or give one a pile of cash to buy their duvet covers and stuff when they get there. Then they can go on the train.

LIZS · 23/08/2017 07:59

You don't have to move in on arrivals day. Maybe one could go a day or two later, or go on train woth bags and you follow with the bulk of their stuff.

NerrSnerr · 23/08/2017 08:23

Could one go on arrivals day on the train so they arrive the same day as their friends and then you bring the rest of the stuff another day?

IgnoreMeEveryOtherReindeerDoes · 23/08/2017 09:16

DD emailed Uni to see if could move in day earlier as traveling by train due limit service on Sunday just getting to station alone. They said yes.

So it's worth getting your children to contact Uni

2014newme · 23/08/2017 09:17

Yes the kids need to call the uni. Or one just takes an overnight bag, drop off their stuff next day.

chelseahotel · 23/08/2017 09:19

Arrivals are usually over a weekend and while they are allocated slots I am sure they can be changed. Just get one of them to contact uni and say they will be arriving a day earlier / later.

gonegrey56 · 23/08/2017 09:21

I have used a service called Send my Bag which was brilliant, super efficient courier service well used to dealing with students' clobber . Then sent dd by train /coach .

IHeartKingThistle · 23/08/2017 09:27

Early if they can, not late. I went 2 days late as my parents had plans for the weekend Hmm and everyone had already met each other and I'd missed the first socials etc.

Needmoresleep · 23/08/2017 09:29

Options, on top of those mentioned above:

  1. If you know anyone in the area, ask if you can leave stuff in their garage for a few days, and then your DC can arrive and move it by taxi.
  2. Use a delivery company. I could look it up but someone previously posted a link to a firm that pick stuff up and will then deliver to halls within a fixed time slot.
  3. Have one go down with just the minimum for a couple of days (duvets will squash up small and they can borrow cooking stuff etc). And then take it all down a couple of days later.

We have a similar problem. A kind MNetter's daughter who is at the same University has offered to meet DD and show her to her accommodation and lend her stuff for the first couple of days. DD is capable of getting a taxi, but I think is relieved to have help/support on what is a big day.

TestTubeTeen · 23/08/2017 09:37

Many young people take themselves off to Uni.

Take one, the other goes on tne train with a rucksack, take stuff up for the other a day or two later.

What specifically are you concerned you need to be there for?

Couchpotato3 · 23/08/2017 09:40

Suggest you leave the DCs to come up with a solution themselves then roll with whatever they decide. Don't fix this for them, it's not that important and it will be good for them to work this through.

Horsemad · 23/08/2017 09:59

Maybe the OP actually wants to, you know, be there to see her DC off.

OP I am sure if your DC contacts the accommodation services, they will help. Smile

2rebecca · 23/08/2017 11:21

Agree with one of them getting there with train/bus and a rucksac and you driving the rest of their stuff there a day or 2 later.
Overseas students manage to do this, without the extra stuff a few days later.

hoyhoy44 · 23/08/2017 11:31

if they cant arrange to go earlier ( as above mentioned poster said going later may be more difficult to settle in) maybe one could take a coach or train and just take overnight neccesities even a sleeping bag to save the hassle of buying bedding when they arrives and the other belongings can be shipped up or brought by you later.

2rebecca · 23/08/2017 12:31

most students end up needing a sleeping bag for trips at some point anyway.

Kez100 · 23/08/2017 13:01

Send one on the train!

One of my 18 year olds had 10 days notice for a job. Found accommodation (including a week in a Travelodge first), went by train with a suitcase as full as possible. Started work, ate out, liased to get key to new accommodation and we took the rest up once he had moved in and had more room.

Honestly. They are intelligent 18 year olds - they can cope!

user1471451866 · 23/08/2017 16:50

Hi IssieN, we had a very similar situation last year. Fortunately they were just about close enough to take one in the morning and one in the afternoon in the end but we had looked at one going the day before or after. I would suggest both contact their unis to see how flexible they can be, and do whatever allows them to arrive at a similar time to the their new flatmates, if possible. We took into account that one child in particular wanted to arrive before rather than after everyone else. In reality both had flatmates arriving throughout the weekend for various reasons and both unis were very helpful.
Good luck!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 23/08/2017 16:53

I'd definitely want to go for both as well OP, don't let posters make you feel bad about that.

Most unis allow arrival over a whole weekend don't they? So one on Saturday and one on Sunday.

Original poster
IssieN · 23/08/2017 19:55

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, especially the idea of sending one ahead with basics and bringing the rest the next day. That could work for us.

Yes, both sons are concerned about arriving after everyone else and missing those first connections, so thank you IHeartKingThistle for mentioning your experience of just that.

Thank you also to ThroughThickAndThin01 and Horsemad for understanding.

OP posts:
EduCated · 23/08/2017 21:34

It is entirely normal for parents help their children move on to uni. Yes I'm sure they're capable and for some it's a matter of necessity to sort themselves out (I'm sure there are MNers who walked themselves hundreds of miles to uni with only a cloth bag), but it's really not unusual to be involved.

hellsbells99 · 24/08/2017 00:11

Hi Op. I had similar last year and it was decided that the one closest to home would go on the train if necessary with me delivering most stuff later. In the end she managed to get a slot to move in on a Friday evening, with DD2 going the following morning. You need to be well organised with everything in separate piles ready to throw in the car! Good luck.

ItsNotLit · 24/08/2017 01:19

Most parents help take their kids to Uni when they start. It's good fun. I've taken all four of mine. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It's exciting for them and I love the fact they want me to help out.

OP, are you sure there is only one move in date for each Uni. We've usually found that moving in spans two days or even three days.

Original poster
IssieN · 24/08/2017 07:10

hellsbell99 - that's interesting that there was a Friday evening option. I could check that out. Thanks.
ItsNotLit - that's what they've told me, but I'll check that they haven't misread the information!

OP posts:
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