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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:
partystress · 20/08/2018 20:24

What hall is your DS in Bamboo? DS in Derwent and it was slightly vague as to whether drop off on Sat or Sun... so I may have been over-organised!

TheThirdOfHerName · 20/08/2018 20:45

DS1 has received his accommodation allocation which is a relief. It wasn't one of his six choices, but it is the type of room he applied for and he's happy with the location.

BambooWhoosh · 20/08/2018 21:09

partystress Our arrival date is Sun 23rd (James College).
Derwent is Sat 22nd.
www.york.ac.uk/colleges/derwent/new/
Exciting times!

fulhamgirly · 21/08/2018 10:54

Son got his second choice uni - Sussex - which is fine but he has been given his accommodation and is sharing a room !!!!!!! I didnlt even kno wthat was an option and he just won't cope. He has social anxiety, won't change in from of myself or his Dad and just can't see how this would work !! He copes by being on his PlayStation and what if his room mate wants to sleep early, or comes in drunk in the early hours. I can see this making him drop out - just don't know what to do. Have tried talking to the accommodation service but no joy. Do I try and find him a private house share somewhere instead ?

TheThirdOfHerName · 21/08/2018 11:41

fulhamgirly can you appeal, with medical evidence (letter from GP or CAMHS). Also try contacting disability services at Sussex. Does he get DSA funding?

UrsulaPandress · 21/08/2018 11:49

Anyone buying a printer? DD wants an Apple Mac but I'm reading that a cheap printer can be useful.

nokidshere · 21/08/2018 12:29

@SpareBedroom DS got his first choice halls today and is very happy . Have you got yours?

And I bought an almost new canon printer from our local selling pages for a tenner 👍🏻

Maladicta · 21/08/2018 12:56

Dipping a toe in. DD has a place at Exeter which she's very pleased about, the accommodation offer not so positive - none of her choices, instead a block 20mins off campus. We're trying to put a good spin on it for her but might look at other options if it doesn't work.

Notquitegrownup2 · 21/08/2018 13:16

Maladicta perhaps persuade her to try it, alongside looking at other options. My first year at uni (Norwich) was spent off campus, but we had a ball, as everyone was in the same boat, and therefore the social life in our block was fabulous.

Maladicta · 21/08/2018 15:16

Thanks Notquite. She's found a girl on the group chat who'll be in the flat next to her so she's making the most of it.

The Ikea shop's done, we're booked somewhere for the weekend, she seems relatively calm... What could go wrong Grin

Most pressing stress is DS's results on Thursday...

SpareBedroom · 21/08/2018 15:46

Nokidsyet I don't know! Got back from working this morning and she's gone out, so I can't ask. Typical... She left it quite late to do her accommodation choices though, so if they allocate in the order they received things, it might be a while yet.

I'm glad your DS is happy with what he got. Smile

OhYouBadBadKitten · 21/08/2018 15:55
OhYouBadBadKitten · 21/08/2018 15:56

We are holding off on a printer to see how much is needed and the costs of printing at university. The problem with cheap printers is they seem to eat ink at a scary rate in my experience.

TheThirdOfHerName · 21/08/2018 16:01

DS1 gets a printer as part of his DSA package. He has to buy printer paper and ink but he can claim the cost of those back.

I've heard some students say that the WiFi in halls isn't always up to a wireless printer, but presumably there's an option to plug a cable in.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 21/08/2018 16:02

So an ethernet cable might be a sensible addition to the packing :)

voilets · 21/08/2018 16:04

My DD has opted not to buy a printer at first to check availabity at uni first. Her DB has said a printer is invaluable though at his uni so we'll wait and see.
She's off buying now new towels with her grandmother as a treat but did decide to take her DB's 1st yr uni bedlinen so that won't go to waste. It seems 2nd year house shares usually have double beds in many uni towns.

TheThirdOfHerName · 21/08/2018 16:09

DS1 has asked for a couple of flat storage boxes. I think he's hoping to put them under his bed, but he won't actually see the bed (or how high it is off the floor) until he gets there.

voilets · 21/08/2018 16:16

We did manage flat boxes under bed with DS but they can also go on a wardrobe.
DD wants things to pretty her room like battery run fairylights and a throw and cushion she's seen but doesn't want much else such as printer until she sees size of room. We did buy a radiator clothes horse rack but won't know if it fits yet but if not I can use it.

UrsulaPandress · 21/08/2018 19:00

Decided to hold off on the printer.

Fainting at price of Mac Books.

MajesticWhine · 21/08/2018 21:27

Good to read some of this. We have so far thought of nothing.
DD is going to UEA, her second choice Uni. She has her accommodation confirmed and the location looks good - very central on campus.

flatmouse · 21/08/2018 21:31

DS halls say no wireless printers supported so make sure can connect via usb. DS won't be taking one. Not had the PlayStation discussion yet! Accommodation guide also suggests they sort tv license. Not looked into this but presume needed if streaming?

Lily125 · 21/08/2018 21:45

We're making quite good progress with the pile of useful objects, and flatmouse's post has just reminded me of something else. I know DS is definitely taking gaming equipment, and is very pleased Warwick has Nintendo Soc. and E-sports (I only learnt what that is this week Confused), does anyone know, would gaming enthusiasts normally take a screen to use in their bedroom too, in addition to a laptop?

voilets · 21/08/2018 21:59

Yes lily125 , they like aan extra screen but DS and his friends managed gaming and study with just a laptop year 1.

Majestic - good news about gaining a central hall. Makes life easier.

Lily125 · 21/08/2018 22:11

Thanks voilets that's handy to know.

Daisymay2 · 21/08/2018 22:23

I am in my 8th year of University DC ......
My DC were not gamers but had screens, keyboards and mouse in their rooms as well as laptops. They found it more comfortable- especially DS2 who is dyslexic, we purchased it as an extra to his DSA package. ( Actually, I think DC1 had a desktop and a notebook sized laptop)
Also in DS2 hall they were told not to connect printers to Wifi as sometimes students had managed to link to someone else's printer and use vast quantities of ink and paper. Not sure how true that was, but when I look at my available networks a neighbour has a printer which I possibly could use! For heavy ink users Choice Stationery are good for ink.
DC also had a hard drive- even though they used the cloud.
A clothers airer is essential and the metal sock/ bra hangers are far more robust than the plastic ones.
It is worth looking at the plastic drawer units ( eg Wilko, the Range) as depending on the room you may need one to put a printer on or to store clothes or stationery. We made a trip to the range when we got to the Hall and realised the desk was too small for all the essentials.
DC1 asked for a fruit bowl on my first trip in his direction after he started Uni!