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

[Justanothermile]

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.

Hi thethird, he's it been quite the journey leading to this. Your DS's student village sounds lovely as well.

I'm probably going to have a bit of a cry on the way home. The house will seem so different without him.

For banking we've set him up a cash management account (CMA) at the same investment company we use, Fidelity. He'll have a debit card and we can transfer money into his account instantly on the website, but no overdraft. We can also pay for his books directly on the college bookstore website, then he just picks them up. I think it will be fine as long as we keep an eye on his account. It's setup so that we can see all of the transactions and balances.

One caution about buying the books elsewhere, most courses have an online component and the book should have an insert with his user ID and password. If the book elsewhere is massively cheaper elsewhere you may be getting just the book without the online supplements. Just to be sure we ordered all of his books from the college bookstore online over the summer and had them shipped home then brought them with us. It's also one less thing for him to worry about now and it there are any problems he can sort them out with the bookstore here.

Lynette mine is with Santander and she'll get a three or four year rail card for free whilst she's studying with a student account. That's worth it because she can come home via train more frequently if she wants without breaking the bank.

TheThird is that Birmingham? I was really impressed with the student village there.

WhirlyGig it's Leciester.
We're going to be visiting Birmingham in a few weeks with DS2 though

Thanks @WhirlyGigWhirlyGig, I'll get Jon to look at accounts, even if it's just for a railcard, although I suspect he'll be best off in a national express if he ever wants to gone home without me collecting him.

*him.

DS is not called Jon, but it's quite a cool name

We're going to be visiting Birmingham in a few weeks with DS2 though

If you are into botanical gardens, the Birmingham one isn't a million miles from the Vale end of the campus and is lovely. As are the gardens of Winterbourne House, which is just across Edgbaston Park Road. If you ignore the current building sites, the university campus itself is quite something, too.

It's done. 😢

He's moved in, unpacked, room rearranged, etc. He's off to dinner with a group from his form then a whole schedule of tours and orientation activities tonight and the next two days then classes start Wednesday. It's too long a drive for us to go home tonight so we're staying over and going home tomorrow.

😢

Aww Miss have a hug from me! This time next week we will be back home without dd and I admit I'm struggling, have a good sleep and safe journey home tomorrow

Awww, thank you Iknow, good luck next week with your daughter.

I'm feeling a lot more keen on her going today since she came in at 3am this morning and redecorated her bedroom in vodka vomit

Oh dear iknowimcoming. On A level results day I spent the night sitting with ds2 as he came home totally drunk....mainly vodka. I have a tendency to worry too much. He's been out a few times since then, but he's been fine. Each time though I can't sleep until I hear him get home ....last night it was at 3am
Part of me will be relieved when ds1 has gone to uni as I won't have to worry when he goes out as I won't know he's out!!
He's a hard working lad generally. I think he's been letting his hair down since results day and enjoying spending time with school friends before they scatter across the country.

What's the legal age to consume alcohol in the UK? Here you can't buy it until age 21.

18 in the Uk Miss! I've just finished clearing it up - I would make her do it herself and live with the consequences but we are moving in two weeks and have a surveyor coming on weds morning so can't risk a bodge job sadly. I too worry much less when she's not here - blissful ignorance I suppose!

It was 18 here when I was a teenager then they raised it to 21 because there were so many deaths from drink driving.

Ah we have accommodation sorted at Southampton now. Just been out with her buying important bits to to take, like a new fleecy, pint throw

IKmow we had vodka vomit this weekend too only mine was very proud of the fact she'd thrown up so neatly amdnot made a mess at 3am

Pink throw, not a pint one 🙄

WhirlyGig snap - DD has also bought a new fleecy throw for Southampton.

Sparebedroom what halls is she in? Because mine went through clearing she's been offered Montefiore, an ensuite one because she gets horrendous migraines.
We also bought a colander, a bath mat, a pasta stirrer thing and a toiletries tub thing.

Did you know having a pretty looking soap, pump dispenser is an essential?

Fairy lights are number one priority here we have also been told that she is waiting to see what colour her room is when we get there whereupon we shall (after unloading and unpacking) traipse off to some local establishment to purchase cushions and throws! DH and DS literally cannot wait

WhirlyGig snap again - also ensuite in Montefiore. I think there are WhatsApp groups for the different halls that your DD can join (no idea how they find these things but DD seemed to have no trouble doing so.)

I take your soap pump dispenser and raise you a thingy for whisking up hot milk for a latte/cappuccino...

Spare 😂😂😂 I bet that'll go on her list if it falls into conversation. And thanks, I'll see if she knows about the group.

Iknow apparently we're only allowed to unload, be given anything back she doesn't need and then we're under strict instructions to leave immediately, whilst only looking forwards and not engaging with any other humans

DS1 says that fairy lights (and who is allowed them in halls) is one of the biggest discussions in group chats amongst his friends at the moment. It would never have dawned on him to want fairy lights, but since everyone in his social circle is now discussing them, he now wants some. I found him some red chili pepper ones he's happy with. LED battery powered, which seem to be permitted in his halls.

Do many students stay in their acommodation over the holidays? DD's boyfriend wants to spend as little time at home as possible. His accommodation is paid for over the year until the end of summer term, so theoretically he can stay during the Christmas and Easter holidays, with a short break at home at Christmas and Easter.

There will always be a few students living there over the Christmas and Easter holidays. Some international students, a few who have no alternative accommodation. Some universities lay on a couple of social events during the holidays for students who are staying.