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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:
Original poster
Justanothermile · 19/08/2018 17:52

There's a good list on the student room of useful items to take. They do stipulate it's pretty much 'kitchen sink' and students would struggle to take everything but it's a very detailed list and good for ideas.

OP posts:
ellaballoo · 19/08/2018 18:35

After a couple of manic days going through adjustment , DD is off to University of Birmingham. I hope we don’t have to wait too long for her accommodation to come through . Everything was in place at her original choice ... nothing is ever simple !!

marmiteloversunite · 19/08/2018 18:59

Hi all. DD1 is going to Bristol uni to do music. We have not had accommodation confirmed yet so I am at a bit of a standstill with buying stuff. I have a lot of lists though!!

I live in Exeter so any general info on the area I can help with, let me know.

partystress · 19/08/2018 20:45

Bamboowhoosh he's doing PPE. Accommodation deposit paid today and we've booked a night in a hotel nearby for drop off day so we can break the journey, give DD a taste of York so she can picture where he is and (depending on how his first night goes!) meet him for breakfast.

nokidshere · 19/08/2018 20:56

Nokidshere DD is also going to Southampton. Where did you find out accommodation is allocated on Monday? I think we've missed that info.

DS emailed them on Thursday afternoon because he was expecting it straight away. He got a really nice email,back,saying that the allocations would be made from Monday 20th and to keep an eye on his account.

Fifthtimelucky · 19/08/2018 21:06

Hi Marmite. I remember you from a thread a few months ago (my older daughter did music). Glad your daughter is off to Bristol. I'm sure she'll have a great time there.

My younger one is off to Exeter next month, so if we have any questions about the city, I'll ask!

2gorgeousboys · 19/08/2018 21:12

DS1 is off to Huddersfield in 3 weeks time. Accommodation sorted in april and for the last couple of days he's been chatting to people in his flat.

We went to Ikea on Friday to kit him out and I've tasked him with sorting out what he wants to take tomorrow.

It all seems scarily real now and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. I've been burying my head in the sand for months that he will be leaving but it's fast approaching.

SpareBedroom · 19/08/2018 21:56

Thanks Nokidshere - we will keep checking!

Jabbott1 · 19/08/2018 23:10

My youngest DS - doesn’t turn 18 till next February - is off to Manchester in 4 weeks to study Physics, the 4 year course MPhys. Accommodation has been confirmed. Apart from bedding & personal stuff I’m not sure what else he might need? None of my other DC went to Uni. Any tips would be handy.
He’s really excited, but me I’m not looking forward to the empty nest, I’ve spent the last 32 years sending DC off to school and now...........

SpareBedroom · 20/08/2018 07:27

If you google 'what to take to university' there are a number of lists out there.

Parques · 20/08/2018 07:33

Napoleonsnose my son has just (survived) his first year in halls at Sussex! Please ask anything you need! Smile*

Marmie4 · 20/08/2018 07:44

@Princecharlesfirstwife My DS is also going to Sheffield, he secured his accommodation yesterday (deposit and everything) which made everything all the more real and he also moves on the 16th. He is already in a group chat with some of his housemates and also seems excited. Deep down I would have like him at home a little longer, I am going to miss him so much but I know how much he wants this.

rainbowstardrops · 20/08/2018 07:50

My DS - my eldest - is off to Loughborough. I'm so excited for him but I'm absolutely dreading it too!
It all just seems so real now.

TheDrsDocMartens · 20/08/2018 07:51

Dd1 is off to Cardiff. She’s been packing for weeks. Knows which room/flat etc she has and fairly sorted.

Daisymay2 · 20/08/2018 08:24

Dc1 went to Southampton there is a large IKEA in West quay which seems well set up for students when you get there. Likewise Nottingham. In Southampton there is a very good Tesco Home as well.
If DC are in standard accommodation those travel washbags that hang up on door hooks are brilliant. Got one in Debenhams sale and one on EBay.

bruffin · 20/08/2018 08:28

TheDrsDocMarten
DD has her room as well, but we cant get to Cardiff until the weekend after. DD has been away all summer and not back to the 5th.

adrinkofwater · 20/08/2018 09:25

DD also going to Cardiff! Found out her hall, flat etc, but we haven't had to pay a deposit. Is that right or did she miss something somewhere?

No packing or buying done yet and she's away atm!

Jabbott1 · 20/08/2018 09:50

Thank you Sparebedroom just been googling & yes have found some useful websites especially Student Room:

teta · 20/08/2018 10:19

Dd1 is going to Bristol to de Vet medicine. But she/I have done nothing yet to prepare, apart from discussing which student account to join. She’s working, festivaling, or interrailing up until the 18th of September. The two days she will have off my parents have asked to see her as my Dad is ill with heart issues. They can’t travel so she can go up by train for a couple of days. But as she has pointed out this leaves her no time to pack for interailing. However she will just have to manage as families are important.

truelove · 20/08/2018 10:38

Sorry to hear about your dad teta. Hope your DD manages to squeeze in a visit.

DD1 is off to Durham on 1st October to study Chinese and Spanish. She’s had her college confirmed (St Aidan’s). The thing I’m finding hardest is the lack of information as everything goes to her (quite rightly but....) I’ve no idea what happens about paying for accommodation etc. Asking her is like getting blood from a stone.

bruffin · 20/08/2018 11:41

adrink dont think first payment is until october

Original poster
Justanothermile · 20/08/2018 11:59

My niece did medicine at Cardiff and absolutely loved her time there.

I think there will be a deposit to secure the accommodation to consider though, and that info comes to the student obviously.

OP posts:
ShanghaiDiva · 20/08/2018 12:34

My ds is going to Warwick. He has never lived in the UK so big change for him. We have lots of lists and he will also need to sort out a national insurance number when he is back in the UK so lots to do.

TheThirdOfHerName · 20/08/2018 12:49

DS1's accommodation application was still listed as 'Awaiting Verification' so he phoned the accommodation office. They checked a couple of details with him over the phone (name, DOB) and now it's in the 'Awaiting Allocation' pile.

He's going away camping for 6 days and data may be patchy, so has given me his login details in case the allocation comes through while he's away.

BambooWhoosh · 20/08/2018 20:10

partystress You sound more organised than me! Accommodation booked and I think we need to be there on Sunday 23rd. We could do it as a day trip at a squeeze but I might look into stopping over. Am travelling from Cambridge area.