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

Starting Uni (first year) 2018. A support/chat thread.

480 replies

Justanothermile · 18/08/2018 08:55

Hi there.

I don't think there's another thread for folk with DC starting university this September/October. I'm not sure there's even a need, but I thought I would start one and see.

DS is my first DC and going to Lancaster. New territory for us, so we are learning as we go.

The last few weeks have been reading up about clearing and alternative courses in case he didn't get his first choice, he was pretty pessimistic but did get accepted.

Now it's countdown to the big day and planning what things he needs to take etc.

I believe accommodation will be confirmed in the next few days.

OP posts:
Miljah · 30/08/2018 13:31

flatmouse- personalJesus did say £50 a month.

DS and I had a chat this morning about finance. I gently made it clear he wasn't going to make a profit from us, as my friend's DS tried to! DS gets minimum loan of £4054, his halls will cost £6040 (not catered!- but includes a bus pass to uni), he has a £1000 scholarship. But he will still be £1000 short after he's paid his accommodation!

I am going to do the maths and sub him so he has about £70 a week, I think.

flatmouse · 30/08/2018 13:39

Apologies @Yourownpersonaljesus I can't read! In all honesty I wasn't planning £70/week, i seem to have weeks and months confused! Before doing a budget, I would imagine £80/month should cover most requirements (as I say, he needs a job for socialising). It won't cover the luxury of a gym membership though. I suspect as with phone we'll cover that til Xmas then review. Hopefully his job can then cover it.

Yourownpersonaljesus · 30/08/2018 13:46

No worries flatmouse. My DD is more than willing to get a job (she's applied for one already) but she'll need to as she doesn't see gym membership as a luxury!!!

Miljah · 30/08/2018 16:23

I had a flash of inspiration today- to get a smallish one of these to act as a waste paper bin/'unwell' bin Wink and to carry any wet stuff around.

The other thing someone suggested was to get some First Defence to try and stave off Freshers' Flu!

Starting Uni (first year) 2018. A support/chat thread.
MajesticWhine · 30/08/2018 17:47

I remember throwing up in my bin when I was at uni. What a disgusting creature I was Wink

3catsandcounting · 30/08/2018 20:35

DD has a dedicated drawer in her bedside table at home, in which sits an empty Celebrations tub which, if necessary, after a night out, she can whip out at a moments' notice. Confused
She doesn't have that luxury whilst at uni with storage at a premium.

Original poster
Justanothermile · 30/08/2018 20:56

That's a great idea, we've actually given up our equine activities recently and have a massive pile of these type of buckets hanging around up to no good use. Thanks, I had assumed they'd languish in our garage for some time. Smile

OP posts:
3catsandcounting · 30/08/2018 21:35

DD thinks it's good manners to "keep things contained".
I've obviously raised a good 'un.

MarchingFrogs · 30/08/2018 22:07

Also would a name plate for her bedroom door be too needy (shared halls flat for 6)?

A 'fun' one would probably not come over as 'needy' - but they might not be allowed to stick things to the door, and definitely not put in screws.

nokidshere · 30/08/2018 22:17

Well we have done the online registration for Southampton but still not got details of flat/room number or moving in slot.

DS won't get enough maintenance loan to cover his rent so we will have to top that up and give him some money to live on until he gets a job. I was thinking about 40 a week to start off with and see how he goes.

Loving the sick bucket idea Grin

SpareBedroom · 31/08/2018 07:47

Re name plates on doors - some people back in my day had mini whiteboards on their doors that other people could write messages on. Probably more fun for the people writing/reading the messages than for the occupant of the room...

WhirlyGigWhirlyGig · 31/08/2018 09:02

nokids we haven't had an offer of accommodation here still, I'm going to panic before long Grin

TheThirdOfHerName · 31/08/2018 09:28

I'm so old that we just blu-tacked a sheet of paper to the door with our names at the top and messages were written on that.

Diggywinks · 31/08/2018 09:28

Feeling your pain WhirlyGig. Hope you get some news soon. I was not calm! We only got DS’s yesterday and the accommodation office accidentally put his room on the system twice so he got a bill for over £11K for the year. Managed to get it sorted but I feel for kids navigating this process without parental support Confused

elena7475 · 01/09/2018 10:23

DS wasn't partying a lot at home and was very serious about his grades but now he admits he is partying a lot at uni. 😱. (Though non alcohol allowed before 21 in America). What possibly can I do?
Lessons didn't start yet so it probably fine and he will be back to his studies as

BagelGoesWalking · 01/09/2018 10:38

Re. Student bank accts, we've gone for the HSBC option. £80 amazon voucher, free Amazon Prime for students (costs £40) and extra £20 voucher as we signed up for the credit card too (only for emergencies) free £1000 overdraft (which will not be used).

Other have a free 16-25 railcard but DD already has that valid for another 2 yrs.

iknowimcoming · 01/09/2018 11:12

Dd has gone for the Santander a/c as the railcard will be useful for her. I was going to see if I could get her an additional card on my credit card iyswim for emergencies etc - you've reminded me to sort that out thanks!

partystress · 02/09/2018 12:38

Bit nitty gritty here, and I know it must vary hugely by course, but roughly what do you think might be the spend on books in a year? I'm imagining some will be available second hand, but know that that doesn't always mean a lot cheaper!

ErrolTheDragon · 02/09/2018 12:55

I know it must vary hugely by course, but roughly what do you think might be the spend on books in a year?

It must vary by both subject and uni - we were very surprised our DD has not had to buy any books at all in her first year, the department supplies the background reading they need (I assume much online but she also has printed material).

One point which should be obvious but does sometimes trip up students is to check second hand books aren't an obsolete edition.

LynetteScavo · 02/09/2018 13:50

Just found this thread Smile

DS is telling me he doesn't need a student account because he doesn't want an overdraft (TBF he's very frugal and probably won't need one) Are there any other real advantages to having a student account?

MajesticWhine · 02/09/2018 13:56

Having a decent overdraft facility is probably the main reason. They tend to come with some freebies. Like amazon vouchers or railcards and things like that.

marmiteloversunite · 02/09/2018 14:15

Hi Lynette. He doesn't have to have an overdraft. DD was offered £500 overdraft with Barclays but we cut it down to £250 just in case she makes a mistake but I think we could have set it very low. It was our choice.

ErrolTheDragon · 02/09/2018 14:37

An overdraft may be a good idea if there a hiccups in the system which can mess up cash flow even for the most careful, unless they have a bit of a buffer in their account. There often seems to be a mismatch between when accommodation needs paying for and when the loan arrives in their account.

MissConductUS · 02/09/2018 14:55

I just found this thread and haven't read it all.

DR is moving into his residence hall today at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. We drove up from New York yesterday. It all just nearly fit in the car with a luggage carrier strapped to the roof rack. DD, who is 16 and will be doing this in two years, is with us.

Endicott was his first choice and he got a nice merit scholarship from the college, so we are very pleased to be here. The campus is right on Massachusetts Bay and his room looks out onto the beach.

Good luck everyone! ☺

TheThirdOfHerName · 02/09/2018 15:02

Hi MissConductUS I remember you from when you were looking around colleges for him. His dorm sounds lovely. DS1 will be studying in a city in the Midlands not known for being picturesque, but he'll be living in a student village which is landscaped with lawns and trees and right next to some botanical gardens.