Going to university (2019/20 academic year) - and the fledgling freshers are off!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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DD has been very productive and packed all her stuff except for clothes. Then made a shopping list for missing items.

Dds loan is payable in 3 equal installments according to student finance Wales. It's her rent that's wildly different each term £2500, £1500, £1900). So she will have very different amounts left to budget with.
She's earned near £1k from her summer job as a buffer though.

Just a tip for those just going my twins in Bristol had to find year 2 accommodation during term 1, most find it by the December of term 1 and sometimes you need a bit of a dposit for that - one twin is was hardlyo anything and the other frmo memory it was a few hundred pounds with tenancies starting from 1 July even though they don't need them until almost end of September. IN my day you could negotiate a half rent retainer over the summer but I suspect the UK has so little accommodation these days that no landlord is ever going to agree to that now.

Thanks Xenia... I've been told that's the same in Durham... will have to prepare for that, unless he decides to stay in halls of course

blametheparents hopefully the ABs kick in soon and he feels better.

Message from DD this afternoon, she's been looking at her course options this afternoon and going to a society taster session tonight. From that I can deduce she hasn't been sick today, she hates and really struggles with vomiting.

I do wonder if freshers flu is brought on by stress and tension on the approach to uni and then full on activities without the chance of rest.

I’m dreading year 2+ rent assuming most landlords will do 52 week rentals they’re going to be really expensive

I think Freshers flu is just new people,new germs just like little kids all get sick when they start nursery and school.

I have a question- does any student actually buy a TV licence if there isn't a telly in the property and they just watch on line? I know you're supposed to in theory...

Still cheaper overall than halls though (at least for my daughter). I don’t know what Bath rents are like however.

@MrsPellegrinoPetrichor They don't need to buy a TV licence if they are only watching on a battery operated device that isn't connected to an aerial or power source. I'll find the link to the info for you.

I should have said that they are covered by their parent's licence in those circumstances.

Section 9 on this link for more details - www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/tv-licence/

The universities forget to mention post first year accommodation when you go to visit. The mass rush to get in as early as possible, and the grim houses. It is something to be thought about as part of the application.
My older DD got a post card from the university during the Christmas break reminding them about the first semester exams exams and don't sign any accommodation contacts until they have the exam results. And all written so the parents can see. She was fortunate in that there was plenty of housing near the university and even possible to find somewhere decent right up to past the end of summer term.

@fiftiesmum, which uni was that?!

It is awful, the scramble for houses after they have only known people a few weeks. My DD landed on her feet, but DGodD and DSs exGF had quite a time of it. I wish the landlords weren't able to put them up for rent until April.

In the Midlands where rents are cheap and the locals don't want the terraced houses with no parking

That link says if you watch iPlayer you need a licence. How can they tell?

that would be you though @mrsPellegrinoPetrichor, assuming you have a TV licence at home the website linked above suggests your DC at Uni would not need one to watch i-player if not plugged into mains. Tip number 9 at www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/tv-licence/#needtoknow-2

Ah thank you! So as long as he doesn't watch iPlayer live he's ok.

I still want to know how exactly they'd know

medium.com/@adambanksdotcom/the-scandal-isnt-that-tv-detector-vans-are-going-to-intercept-your-wi-fi-ce0ac4fe1e82

Someone put up a link that if a student watched bbc without being plugged into mains but running on battery that was a loop hole.

found it

www.savethestudent.org/news/tv-licensing-loophole-revealed-students-dont-need-a-licence-to-watch-iplayer-after-all.html

@MrsPellegrinoPetrichor I think you've misunderstood the TV licence rules. Your DC can watch live or catchup TV as long as the device isn't connected to a power source or aerial and that you have a TV licence at home (where your DC lives out of term time). Definitely worth looking at section 9 of that link again to confirm the details do apply to you and also the link that justasking111 has posted.

Oh boy year 2 sounds like a pain. Can’t believe they might have to start looking or even pay deposit in term 1!

It does all sound like a pain, having to be so proactive, just as one is getting into the swing of the second semester...Never a dull moment!

I have re read section 9,I now understand . Thank you

I am now slightly obsessed with vacuum storage bags. How did I not know of their magic before now? DD’s duvet, pillows, mattress protector, cushions towels and bedding now sitting in one - ONE- Ikea blue bag 😃

Ooooo I have vacuum storage bags,fantastic idea,thank you!! The car will be rammed on Saturday and every little helps