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!

We've gone for navy sheets and predominately navy duvet covers. I gave DS some options to pick from - he went for one called Ziggurats because it seemed appropriate as he is going to UEA (albeit not staying in the Ziggs).

Right , been to Wilko and got clothes horse, pop up laundry bag, pegs, sewing kit, extension lead, over door hook thing and feeling a bit better. Fed up of waiting for DD to select everything! She can choose the aesthetically pleasing items and I’ll do practical

I went for double duvet for ds for the same reason, also thinking if he's in a flat next year then a double might be needed. I bought a mattress topper, deep sided mattress protector, deep sided single sheets, double duvet, 2 double duvet sets, one firm and one soft pillow a 2 pillow protectors. Looked comfy and cosy, didn't buy a blanket as it would just get left on the floor when it fell off.

Took me a day but I have just figured out that the mystery item in the Nationwide goody pack is a doorstop! Jolly good!

DS has eaten all the edible gifts, including a whole pack of Choco Leibniz without sharing

Where have people got saucepans from and what type? Spent3 hrs pouring over saucepans yesterday. There’s the Wilke deal with a frying for £12.99, then theIkea deal with no frying pan for £15.99 but poor reviews. I know you can’t expect top quality pans for that amount but I’m now wondering perhaps these are just a little two three cheap?

Perhaps a budget of about £40 might be better? This will include a good quality frying pan. I’ve never liked cheap frying pans that wobble around on the cooker and DS likes frying! I have visions of hot oil tipping over from the pan 😬.

Plates - Are you buying cheapo plates so that if they all crash to the floor it won’t matter or are you going for expensive, so if it drops it will just ricochet back onto the table and doesn’t chip?

DS has no opinion on any of this so I’m on my own.

Thanks ragwort they will need to jump on a train in that case!
My DD also gone for grey duvet covers, she's picked mustard for cushions and a throw to 'accent' it. Looking at the state of her bedroom at home, I know that the 'accents' are more likely to be dirty coffee cups, old crisp packets and clothes!

I don't imagine for a minute that DS will actually use the pans so I went for the cheapest ikea option (think it was about £8 for 3!) I spent more on a decent looking fry pan from Sainsburys and a couple of decent oven trays and oven dish. he'll be much more likely to put stuff in the oven or fry eggs.

Also got a few different sizes of sistema containers for for the microwave.

Just got him single plates from Sainsburys sale. I had ordered some from ikea but the actual dinner plates didn't turn up and the pasta/cereal bowls were tiny. So he has 2 bowls, 2 pasta bowls, 2 dinner plates and a packet of the kids ikea plastic ones just for sticking toast or whatever on.

Being honest, he'll either lose or break everything we've given him so didn't want to go too overboard.

Found quite a good video about consent :

Apparently quite famous!

Just to add, Like someone mentioned above I also bought bright duvets sets for the same reason that the room will probably look dull enough without more grey/blue so opted for a Stripey lime and mustard colour. Sizes were double on single bed.

@Wax I might pop into Sainsburys to see their pans. TKMaxx seem to have some nice bowls too. I’m also trying to avoid buying plates from the obvious places and 12 sharing a kitchen, all these “white” plates and “ black” saucepans are bound to get mixed up?

IMO Sainsburys is brilliant for kitchenware.

@Benjispruce

@Piggywaspushed, DD got that box when she went - was quite fun!

I got DS navy and grey striped duvet cover (plus old navy/grey/red striped one) and navy sheets. All single, so I hope that works for him!

@Shimy cheap £2 starter pack from Argos. Pans, frying pans, cutlery, tin opener, knives etc.

I’m planning on steering DD towards darker bedding and towels or at least not white. Got scissors a little torch and some more first aid stuff but no box yet.

Yes the tea video is a good one. DD knew it from school.
Tilly I’m planning on getting a couple of mugs, glasses and side plates for Collingwood for tea , drinks and snacks, are you?

Pontious I’m with you there on the room ‘accents ‘ DD will clean and tidy her room, light a scented candle, switch fairy lights on and within 2 days it’s back to a heap of clothes and you can’t find a path through to open a window! Then I get blamed for opening said window which allowed real air to enter and blow various fake eyelashes all over the place and they are expensive you know!!!

I’ve just been to Aldi & picked up their Specialbuys leaflet for next Thursday - it’s the student event. Not sure if you can see what will be avail online yet. We’ve done most of the shopping for ds but I’m planning on getting under bed storage boxes from there

Ooh thanks Dec

I took a permanent marker and a roll of this tape

Ducklings Tape High Impact 19mm x 4.5m www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00X5BPUK6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xw9ADb1SEPSW9

Loads of different design options. I just cut bits and wrapped a bit round the handles of all his kitchen stuff including his cutlery or wrote his initials on the bottom of his cups and plates with permanent marker. It'll wear off but hopefully he'll have a better idea of what stuff is his by then.

That's useful about Aldi, thanks for the tip. I am getting very basic stuff for my DS, or giving him some old stuff from home and buying new for myself, I'm pretty certain it won't get looked after and can't imagine him doing much 'real' cooking, he has asked me to make a big pasta bake to take for the first night to share with his new flat mates, but does that sound a bit strange? (I suppose if no one else wants it he can eat it over the next few days ).

I think that’s a nice idea rag and if they don’t want it he could portion it up and freeze it.

Ds is possibly going to bake a cake to bring along on moving in day. The Aldi stuff is already available to order online. Quite a lot of kitchen things if you still need them

Benji, yes! I will check with DS as he used to stay with his gf who was also in catered but a different college, so may have an idea of anything else he might want. Possibly

Re taking food to share, I saw there is some sort of cake comp Benji - no doubt it'll be me making one then!

I have just ordered some pans from IKEA online. I've no idea what they are like. They were cheap. But I said to ds that if he finds he's cooking a fair bit then he can get some better ones. Also a few other bits from IKEA I hope they are all ok. I like to see things really, but quite limited to shops from here. I'm listening to you guys on here.
I bought some grey and white plates and bowls from Tesco for £1.50 each. I'm going to get some cutlery from a charity shop. They had lots for 25p each. I thought they might be better quality.
I bought new single duvet covers. He has a double bed at home, we have his old single bed stuff still but he says it's too bright (green and blue checked) the background is pale, so I thought he will probably turn them grey anyway, so bought new grey. I just raided the airing cupboard. Found several towels. The only spare single sheets are cream. I'll send one and assume it'll come back grey and buy another. I'm hoping they will fit as bed is a little longer than standard single.
As I type this I've just realised....been so busy sorting sheets/duvet covers/pillow cases that I'd forgotten he actually needs a duvet to go in it!