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.

DD is doing archaeology at York and she was really pleased to get her first choice accommodation. She has already 'met' some fellow archaeologists on a facebook group and she says everyone seems lovely. She is also on the freshers group and the Alcuin college facebook group, but there are so many people on those that it is quite chaotic.

partystress yes I saw those starter packs, but we already have quite a bit of kitchen stuff donated from relatives so can't really justify buying one of those packs. I reckon the worst that can happen with one of those courier companies is that her luggage turns up a day or two after she moves in but as long as she takes up enough clothes and a sleeping bag then she'll be OK.

One thing that we have just done is to check that student finance has the correct bank details. Because DD did student finance before she had opened a student bank account we realised that student finance had her old account details and we needed to add the student account details. Although this might not have caused too many problems, I think DD would have panicked if her money hadn't gone into the account she was expecting.

DS is off to Lancaster too.
Computer Science.
Accommodation in Fylde College (funnily enough where we're from!) He's my second and last to go to uni and I'm feeling a bit flat, though excited for him too.

My big worry is that he's quiet and unconfident socially, (unlike his party animal sister) and I'm picturing him stuck in his room on his own all the time.

Tothesideoftheirlives yes, we have done that too. DD has yet to convert her bank account to a student one, which caused a bit of panic, but we've checked very carefully and according to the terms of the switch she's going to make, anything set up with her existing account details should automatically switch to the new account once that's set up.

Waves back at cathyandclare. Although, DS isn't catered I'm wondering the same thing. £50 seems a little low for everything, I'm thinking about £70 a week but that's totally a stab in the dark, I've no idea how much one student will spend on food or how much it costs to go out. He's worked this summer, so we'd probably go half half.

Lancaster here too 3cats. Pendle college. I have the same worries, totally. DS is very quiet indeed.

Will cajole DS into getting his railcard sorted today, tomorrow is bank account conversion to student status and a shop round the pound shops for items!

Can I join.
Our Ds goes to Lincoln (University of, not the Oxford one) on either 15th or 16th of September, 3 weeks away, he's studying Criminology.
Registration and fresher's week start on 16th September. £60 for fresher's armband. We have "treated" him to a platinum card, £140 for year entry to all student union events( saves him £500)
Set up student A/c, got first choice accommodation (£257/term more than maintenance grant, non catered). Signed up to University "blackboard" system, digitally sent photo to admin and student union via it, and gained course details, reading list(lots of internet lists/links) and the list of preferred books required.

Four books are mandatory for him, another £120, most secondhand from amazon, 2 over £120 new. Got list of fresher's events emailed yesterday, has 7 mandatory course events to attend during week, including trip to the Castle, including visit to the courts.

Got most of bedding etc from Asda's sale.
Lots of really useful lists and vlogs on Lincoln's halls online, most suggested a mini fridge for the room, so that just been added to list.

List of vaccinations from doctors and they confirmed yesterday that his MenACWY jab from school in year 11, meant he doesn't need another one for University

Forgot to say he has decided to keep his current A/c and transfer his grant into it, Nationwide happy with his, his overdraft was approved on Monday, and they delivered a going to university gift box to home for him last night, tea bags, noddles, popcorn, chocolate biscuits, games and playing cards, plus doorstop and key ring.

He is arranging leaving get together with his mates, they are going to 10 different universities, though most leave late September early October, so may have to return for his best mates do, he is only 60 miles away, no car though as no parking.

En route to Ikea this morning for bedding, kitchen items etc DD mentioned that she thought she'd need a laundry basket. Had to pick my jaw up off the floor (the floor being her preferred place for laundry up until now).

Gosh some of you are very organised.

DS banks with nationwide but they rejected his application for a student account today with no explanation so we need to sort that out.

What about registering with the uni Drs? Do they have to do that? DS is only an hour away and the last time he saw a Dr he was 9yrs old!

Freshers week costs money?? to take part? Surely they only pay for what they buy?

No info on rooms except that he has one a bit more detail,would be useful

So many questions. Can you tell it's my first time! At least next year I'll know what I'm doing for my younger son.

Nokidshere
Ds was turned down for Nationwide online, cock up with address. We went into local Branch, they sorted it out in minutes, and we saw Lady 3 days later.

Freshers yes £60 armband entry for weeks events, 2 booklets set out with offer pack, arrived 16th August. Off top of my head, Lincoln have
Welcome do 16th September,
Mel C gig, Prof Green gig, Lee Nelson and friends night and a foam party. Plus compulsory meet course leaders, tutors and fellow course mates, trip to Lincoln Castle and a 90 minute annual Criminology lecture and debate in 1st week. Plus society and sports displays and try outs.
The university uses fresher's to get everyone involved.

Rest keeps coming from university facebook, student facebook, the university's general group chat and Criminology group chats Ds is on.
Plus the course keep update his "blackboard" registration page.

He is our first, but we know 4 former students from Lincoln and like I said there are loads of tips on university FAQ page, at least 100 Halls vlogs and 25 bring lists when you search Lincoln uni accommodation

To be fair it him who is suddenly doing it all, and shock horror asking for cooking tips and recipes

Hi Everyone.
My eldest son are starting uni in September too. He got a place in America to study economics. He already left last Sunday.

@MajesticWhine my DD was at UEA several years ago and had a really fab time. It is a lovely campus. She was in Paston with an ensuite room. Her friends were all in different halls one was in a ziggurat (Suffolk) she also had a friend in Village which is a short cycle ride away from campus but sort of a community feel to it.

2nd and 3rd year accommodation is arranged via the UEA accommodation office, they have landlords and homes that have been checked out by the UEA staff, it is very reassuring

If yours doesn't have a bike, don't worry there is a bike shed company on campus, that refurbish ex students bikes and sell them very cheaply, they will also repair any bike whether hers from home or one that she buys off them. They buy them back again at end of uni, if she wants.

The cycle lanes around UEA and Norwich are excellent

The buses are also excellent and you can buy a bus pass for the whole year if living too far to cycle in 2nd/3rd years

*The other tip to all students going to uni is to buy a doorstop to prop open their bedroom door when they arrive.

That way the fellow flat mates will say hello as they are moving in and it will be less isolating for DC

If they have their door propped open they will know what else is going on with their flat mates and hopefully be invited out to explore uni or city together etc and end up being friends
*

waves at MajesticWhine UEA for ds2 - his first choice uni. He's had accommodation confirmed - very central on campus. I don't think he's put much thought into it yet....so far bought a chopping board and a wooden spoon!

Hope you don't mind me joining in. DS2 off to Queens Belfast in September for EEE, the furthest he could get from home
Any DC off there are alumni to give us some tips? He's done a flying visit but wants to take his bike, computer, record player kitchen sink so we've hired a van for the drop off, hopefully he can store it all out there at the end of each year so we don't need to repeat the process for five years.

...or are there..

DS finally accessed some of the online stuff. Freshers wristbands sold out already!! He's booked tickets for a couple of events including freshers ball. Formal attire so he needs to source a cheap suit (one from post GCSE prom way too small). He's found various FB groups. Hopefully one for his accommodation (waiting to join) and one for freshers. There were about 10 groups for freshers so he plumped for one with most members!
Trying not to push/ be over involved, but don't want him to miss out!

Doorsteps are not allowed in Uni accommodation - the doors are fire doors and leaving these open is a risk, they could get fined if found with a door propped open...

Doorstops

@SubtitlesOn thank you so much for posting all that useful information. So heartening your DD had a great time at UEA.
And hi to @14allall41 as well. DDs accommodation is really central too. Which I think has to be a good thing. I was a bit taken aback by how expensive it is especially without any catering - £145 a week or something. But I guess thats what it is for a single room with ensuite shower. I have asked her to compile a list of what she thinks she needs to buy. She thinks they need pots and pans but it seems a bit daft if in a flat of 6 people everyone turns up with a frying pan, a cheese grater, a tin opener etc.

You're welcome

Oh btw they have a sale of 2nd hand kitchen stuff at the beginning of term, but DD had already taken stuff. They have their own lockers in the kitchen for food etc and shelves for pots and pans etc - she could put coloured dots of pink or red nail varnish on handles of her stuff so she knows which is hers.

here is a student review of UEA and doorstops are allowed there

DD really loved being so central with accommodation, really quick to get to lectures

Oh when she gets her ID lanyard put the "keycard" (in the back of it) behind her ID card so she doesn't get locked out of the accommodation building (uses a swipe thingy) then there are also actual keys for the flat and room.

Lake BBQs were a favourite thing to do there using the static BBQs

SubtitlesOn - thank you for that information. I'll pass it on to ds2. I'm trying not to worry about him losing his key. He's pretty useless at remembering to take a door key when he leaves our house!

DS going to Cardiff. Hasn't found anyone on Facebook in his flat yet but has a couple of friends from his college going to Cardiff too so that's great.

Ds has his first choice accommodation booked but I get one concern sorted and move on to another! He's looked at group chat for his residence and so far they're all boys ( he requested mixed). Am worried that this will not suit him at all. He's used to girls and sisters! Am hoping I'm worrying irrationality.

Anyone got a DC going to Nott Trent to study Comp Science? DS is a complete introvert and im worried he won’t come out of his halls to socialise😢

feltcarrot - my DD is going into her 3rd year at Notts Trent. She's absolutely loved it there. They've got a great SU, but she is fairly confident, socially. She's very central to town and I was really pleasantly surprised how nice it was.
I, like you, have my DS off in September (Lancaster) who is also a complete introvert. I really envisage him hiding himself away in his room and I so want him to get the most of his experience. He's not only uncomfortable with others, but uncomfortable in his own skin!
He's a lovely boy, and would help anyone, but I feel like he's entering the lions den! It's sink or swim, I guess? (I'm full of cliches tonight!)