Applying for Uni 2019 Part 7: IB and A Levels are but a memory, we're relaxing and let's not even think about the 15 August yet!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Carrying on from the previous thread which filled up very quickly.

, and for everyone

DD is Autistic and Dyspraxic and very very secretive about any of the process. We only know what she chooses to relay to us. So I have zero idea how to help her, as she has refused to engage with us at all about her uni applications. She has a conditional offer ( her first choice, accommodation deposit paid) and an unconditional offer, which she told us did not offer her the choice to reserve accommodation.
(As she is an adult, there is no way we can confirm or deny this statement. Tbh I doubt it)
It's all very very stressful.

greengrower it's very unusual to be able to reserve accommodation at your insurance choice, so I wouldn't worry.

Just home after our family holiday and catching up on the thread.
Whilst we were away DD has her UEA accommodation confirmed and has joined a Facebook group for her block which is great as she is already chatting with a couple of others she will be living with.
We went shopping yesterday for some of the essentials and found Wilko and TK Maxx to be the best and there were plenty of other parents doing the same thing, I guess wee are all trying to keep busy as the countdown to the 15th continues.
Looking forward to celebrating DD's 18th next week but starting to feel very emotional about the fact she's leaving soon. I'm determined to try and make the most of every minute in the hope that the memories will keep me going in September.

DD will get back from Madagascarto find she has a few items of kitchen equipment, two sheets (her allocated accommodation was, of course, the only one on her list with 4ft beds) and a nice lightweight duvet.

Re being released into Clearing (should anyone's DC wish for it), things have changed this year - applicants can initiate the process via UCAS instead of needing to phone the university from which they hold an offer:
www.ucas.com/advisers/guides-and-resources/adviser-news/news/new-2019-online-self-release-clearing

We are not doing any uni shopping until after results day. Now it’s August it feels very close.

@juicy0 which accommodation is your DD in? My DS got his first choice, in the Village (Willow block).

DS2 hasn't heard back about accommodation at UEA yet, he has a conditional offer and hoping for the Zigs.
It still seems a long time till the 15th, especially for DS who will be 18 on that day and is looking forward to Wetherspoons. Small pleasures.

juicy0, I dreaded DD going away for boarding at sixth form. Luckily I held it together until we'd said goodbye. I think it helped me in that I'd planned to see friends, had a day off from work so decided to go shopping and had a few household jobs I wanted to get on top of, ie plan to keep yourself busy for a few days.

We do have a number of August birthdays on here. DD is towards the end. sluj hopefully your DS will have a double celebration. DD picked up her GCSE results on her 16th.

I think the UEA accommodation offers for conditional offer holders will come out soon after results are in and places get confirmed. Fingers crossed for those waiting for results and then accommodation offers.

Sorry to link to the Daily Mirror but there's an article with details on how to claim a free Nandos for all A Level students on 15th August (has to be used that day). Can certainly see DS and his friends wishing to take advantage - they love a cheeky Nandos...

Ooh! Thanks, newmodel

Will be looking for that!!!!!

They do it every year - August 6th (?) For Scotland, 15th for A levels & 22nd for GCSEs. I think it's only a starter (?wings type thing), but still...

ifonly4 thank you, it's good to know I'm not the only one! I will definitely take your advice and make plans to keep myself busy for a few days at least.
She is in Hickling and Barton on campus At UEA

goldenruby sorry I didn't manage to tag you in my response. She's on campus in Hickling and Barton.

This time 2 weeks we will know how they have fared, hopefully even those needing clearing will be sorted. It is coming around quickly!

DS has applied for Ziggurat accommodation should he need it.

Agree that the 15th is looming large now - where have those seven weeks since DS finished gone?

Thanks for reminding me that from this year, students can press the release me button themselves. I think I forgot that reading the TSR thread (which is two years old now).

So if Durham doesn't make intentions clear on Results Day is that likely to mean that they will come back with a no on the balance of probability? Anyone aware of any young people kept dangling who did then get offered their place?

Not doing any of the below until results day. Just so I don’t miss anything, can anyone thing of anything immediate and major to add to this list before she gets there?

1. Accept offer
2. Accept accommodation
3. Sort out student account
4. Sort out amazon account (offer for free prime for a year with NatWest)
5. Configure kindle to amazon
6. Buy bedlinen, pots and pans, laundry bags, small first aid kit
7. Buy things Dd will need but won’t buy: sturdy packable raincoat and padded shoulder rucksack (to her ‘taste’)
8. Write down recipes in book for her to take
9. Register for freshers week

10. Check on any reading lists, other requirements for her course. 11. Sort out where loan goes to (possibly a savings account without a debit card so all that money isn’t assessable if she loses the card??)

(7. and 8. are really for me to feel better rather than her)!

Accessible not assessable

A question to experienced mums. I have been reading this thread occasionally - in between life! My son is hopefully going to Lancaster. He will be in halls. What sort of things do I need to buy? I always hear of / see people buying stuff from IKEA / Wilkos. But I don't want to be buying things that he doesn't need. It isn't the money - we are average money wise. I'm just conscious that his room isn't huge and he will not want boxes full of colanders, spatulas, jugs and pans under his bed if they are in the shared kitchen! (My dh did the open days for Lancaster so wouldn't have a clue here). Has anyone got any thoughts on this? Or a link to a sensible list somewhere on line?

Clank yes I am looking for a definitive list too but I am thinking to get the very basics and she can add afterwards depending on how much she cooks/ who else has brought stuff/ if everyone shares.

Ikea has a useful list & I think they have appeared here before as well as on TSR. Usually the halls have them too which are probably the most useful. I would say don't go mad. There will be shops/Amazon where they live. You see peoplearriving with the most enormous amount of"stuff". My DD's mistake was taking all her summer clothes with her (I did try to tell her) as it was nice weather the week before she went.

targetcareers.co.uk/uni/starting-university/385984-the-ultimate-uni-checklist-what-to-pack

This is quite succinct.