UEA freshers

[juicy0]

I've never done this before but hopefully I have managed to set up a new thread for UEA specific posts.
Perhaps someone can let me know if it's worked!

Btw she’s not going to UEA! Do not take curtain colour from me!

Just got back from choosing the car, that's one thing out of the way but it may not be here in time for DS1 to go back to UEA, should fine for DS2 the following week though.
New model you just reminded me we had to buy an electric blanket for DS1s first private let in year 2. The house was freezing and Norwich is too! We had to buy stout boots for him to walk in too as the suit shoes and trainers weren't suitable. By contrast his first year room in the Village was very hot all the time which was lovely in the winter. He was in one of the end blocks Oak and could see foxes and hear the church bells from his room. Very nice.

Whilst I remember, we had to get a bath mat to put outside the shower pod in the village. No point putting it in the pod as the whole floor gets soaked so he had it in the room outside the shower pod door. Hope I'm explaining that ok. Might be useful for the Village People

I wondered about that @sluj - I will get DS to do the same. He has a dark grey one which will blend into the carpet in his room so hopefully won't look too odd.

I live in east Anglia. It's not that cold here in winter! We often watch the rest of the country get snow and we don't get any. It happened twice last winter. Until the big snow we had in 2018 my youngest (10) couldn't remember ever seeing snow.
We went to north Devon on holiday early July and I was quite disappointed that every day was about 10 degrees colder in Devon compared to home! But yes I guess we are colder than the south most of the time. I think it's the one of the drier parts of the country though.

Another question for anyone who might know...I have been reading about electrical equipment needing pat testing. Does that include anything new and boxed? What about laptops? tia.

@icanbewhatiwant

15.2 Electrical Item Safety: (do not) Bring in to, use or store in UEA residences any electrical items or appliances which are not CE compliant or CE marked.

section 15 of the residence T&Cs seems to cover most of it, plus 14.1 and 14.2

the link to the Ts&Cs is on this page of the UEA website portal.uea.ac.uk/accommodation/undergraduate/accommodation-contract

@boys3 ok thanks. I couldn't find that earlier. So I was going to get him a travel kettle for his room. Looks like he's not allowed one. Only in the kitchen.

Thank you for the accommodation link @boys3. It was the one piece of information that DS had given me as I wanted to check the bed size (after already buying double duvet covers). DS is in Colman House so I had to take back the double duvet covers and exchange them for singles. While I was exchanging the duvet covers I bought a nice desk lamp only to be told by DS when I got home that he thought the room came with a desk lamp, which was confirmed when I checked the room comparison chart. I seem to be taking one step forwards and two steps back!

I've ordered deep standard single sized fitted sheets and today's worry is that they're not going to fit the slightly long beds. What has everyone else done about sheets?

...although, looking at the chart, it specifies "bed size" not "mattress size", so hopefully standard single fitted sheets will fit.

@CharliesMouse yes I just bought standard single fitted sheets. They look quite deep. Apparently ikea do the continental bigger size. But I could only find it online in white.
I haven't bothered with a mattress topper I noticed people on the other thread were getting them. If the bed is super uncomfortable we will have to order one from amazon and deliver it there. Just sending a mattress protector. It's white...so bound to come home grey.

Thank you @icanbewhatiwant. I wanted navy sheets so was limited where I could get them. I'm probably just going to get a mattress protector as the toppers all look a bit pricey but I bought the deep sheets in case I spot a reasonably priced one.

Thought I'd say 'Hi as this was me in the '90s going to UEA. I lived in the Ziggurats for my 1st year and don't remember them being particularly hot or cold. I must have liked Norwich though as I'm still here. Live very close to UEA and often take dog there for a walk. My husband works there and whilst he doesn't teach 1st years he might teach some of your DC in 2nd or 3rd year!
By the way, my youngest, who is going to Uni this year, changed her 'child's' hsbc account into a student one just by going into a main branch and doing it there and then. No bother.
If I can help at all, do ask.

Oh @Numbersarefun good to hear the Ziggurats aren't too hot or too cold. It seems lots of UEA graduates stay local which is a great reflection on Norwich.

Question: where are the best local supermarkets and are they easily walkable? Are there lots of local student jobs and what's the best way of finding one? DS has looked online but most of the ones that are part-time don't reallly seemed pitched at students. TIA!

@Numbersarefun hello. My dh has an older daughter, she went to Brighton university and stayed there. I know a few others that have stayed in their university city. I'll be happy for my son to do that as we are only 45 mins away!

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 I know there is a supermarket nearby. I'm sure someone told me it was a Waitrose but I'm not sure. But the town centre is 20 mins on the bus, where I guess most jobs will be.

How lovely to have a Waitrose nearby but not necessarily on a student budget!!!!

It looks as if campus based SU jobs are advertised in the spring semester, so looks as if our DC won't be able to apply for anything on site immediately? Although I reckon there may well still be opportunities, even if ad hoc?

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 there is a Waitrose in one direction. There is also a small Tescos attached to a garage in the opposite direction and there is a CoOp behind the garage. The 25/26 bus goes to Morrison's (which is near the station) directly from the UEA.

Thanks for the info @Numbersarefun!

Apparently there is an Aldi 20 mins walk away from The Village, maybe a little further from campus (not sure which direction it's in).

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 I read somewhere that they can sign up to be a student guide or helper of some sort, which is a paid position. I can't remember the job title.

Yes, that's what one of our close family friends' DD did at Bristol. I think it's a really good way to get to know people, gain confidence and make some money!

Thanks for the nod about Aldi @GoldenRuby (much more student budget friendly!).

Sorry, I've been posting loads this morning can you tell we got up with back-to-school DD at the crack of dawn?

DS1 uses Aldi and Roy's. The Aldi is past the Village apparently so an advantage for those living there. He spend £20 to £25 per week there and eats very well, salmon, steak, brie etc 🐷

Does anyone know if the campus en suite rooms have under bed storage? I’ve tried to play the video but it does a really weird thing on my phone so you can’t see properly.
I’m hoping to make it to Ikea today and was planning on going to Aldi as well and I know they have offers on underbed storage.

@Itscoldouthere can you try looking up the videos on you tube (still on your phone) - they worked much better like that, and allow you to do a 360 look round of the room.

Yes I played video recently and it said under bed storage. We are en suite campus.