Going to university (2019/20 academic year) - wave goodbye to family, say hello to fellow students and key uni staff and they're settling in (hopefully)

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread. Possibly a little precipitous but for some of our DC their university start date is only just over a fortnight away. Yikes!

DD had the Men ACWY and tetanus/polio booster in 2016, longer ago than I thought but do long as they had it after age 10 it’s ok according to the form.
We’ve declined to take the HSBC student account as £100 is more appealing to DD as I’d already said I’d renew her railcard for 3 yrs which is ‘only’ £70 anyway. Win win for her!

So long not do long

Oh dear. Decided not declined!!!!

@PhannyMcNee hope she is looking forward to it! Is she in private accommodation?

3 weeks to go although still won’t know accommodation until this time next week..

@Jo4Laurie no, university housing. She applied for halls but clearly dithered too long!

I think she is excited but it’s hard to know tbh

@PhannyMcNee sounds good - probably better and nearer than University Halls!

Hopefully Ds will leave his pc (mostly used for gaming) at home. At least for the first term. This was his older sister’s suggestion to ensure he doesn’t stay in his room not talking to anyone...

When we went to an offer holders day, most of the parents of boys I spoke to had similar concerns!

Can I just emphasise DS is not a gamer! He plays Fifa on the household Xbox for max 1 hour a day. We don't even have it wifi enabled. The idea was it might get him out of his room...

Anyhoo, a really sweet starter pack just came in the post from Nationwide. Snacks, a can of rather nice drink, some noodles, a card game, pack of cards and a random ping pong ball!

My sister sent me this

Dd took the student account at hsbc and is planning to buy a railcard with the 100. So she'll have a railcard and 30!

Someone mentioned it upthread but in case anyone missed it you can buy Railcards with Tesco Clubcard points. Think you can only buy the annual ones and not the 3 or 4 year ones though.

Yes we just got DS's thanks to that. We had some points just about to expire, too!

I put together a small first aid box for DD today. Maybe it's silly but it's just a few little things which she would usually ask me for and may not have bought herself when she needs them.

Paracetamol, ibuprofen, cold and flu tablets, plasters, anti bac wound wipes, berocca, dioralyte, safety pins, lip balm, ear plugs, a bar of chocolate for when she's hormonal, party feet gel cushions, nail file and strepsils

She may thank me when freshers flu hits or she may never need it, but I feel better knowing she's got it.

I did that when DS1 went. Put it all in a tin plus nail clippers & a mini sewing kit (& condoms)

I’ve done that juicy though not in a box yet but I’ve been buying plasters, paracetamol, antihistamine, sudocreme over the weeks along with deodorant, toothpaste, spare toothbrush, shower cap etc

@Mustbetimeforachange sewing kit is a good idea, I'm sure I have one from a hotel room somewhere I can pop in there.
@Benjispruce I'm glad I'm not the only one!

Anyone found a good tin to put it in? For DS1 he had one that he got some Christmas smellies in & he's found it really useful & still keeps everything in it.

She will thank you Juicy I’m sure. You’ve given me some extra item ideas! I’ve also got vitamins (she’s veggie,) but think ear plugs are a good idea so adding to my list.

I'm getting us a family and friends railcard for a trip to London next year when I have £10 of Tesco clubcard vouchers next time they are issued. I'll put DD down as the 2nd adult as DH won't be coming on our trip anyway. That way she can use the card for the same discount a student one would get her.

We will be holidaying in N Devon in May half term, and if she wants, I'm suggesting she uses the bank holiday weekend and whatever days are free of lectures that she might have to come and join us on the trip. We can pick her up before the holiday or she can make her way to Barnstaple train station.

Might just get a Tupperware of sorts must

Don’t forget scissors!

You are probably right Benji I just picture a nice colourful retro tin in his room but he probably won't care!

@Mustbetimeforachange I found a box in TK Maxx today but try Paperchase for similar. They're boxes rather than a tin but they're rigid and sturdy and they have patterned and plain

www.paperchase.com/en_gb/catalogsearch/result/?q=box

www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/search?q=Box&sort=publishedDate-desc&facets=stockLevelStatus:inStock&page=2

Great ideas for the tins of useful items - thanks for the tips.

Are your DCs who are self-catered taking two of everything? Plates, bowls, cutlery, glasses, mugs etc? How about sheets/duvet/pillow and towels? Two sets of each enough?

We've been washing new towels today. Red was possibly a mistake . . . . . . . . . washing machine water turned pink and loads of red fluff everywhere now

DrMM BTW did you know with a family and friends railcard you have to be travelling with a 5-15 year old.