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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

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

999 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 04/09/2019 14:56

Previous thread

OP posts:
Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 07/09/2019 11:25

@blametheparents, DS considering getting a bike to use at UEA but is going to play it by ear until he gets there.

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 07/09/2019 11:27

@blametheparents, Oxbridge definitely take bikes! DD took DSs old bike to Bristol but has only ridden it a couple of times AFAIK for pleasure as Bristol is pretty hilly... DS has been riding my bike to and from school all year, but he's not getting to take it to Durham!

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 07/09/2019 11:45

Oxbridge is indeed all about the bikes, although DC beware pedestrians stepping out into the road without first checking for oncoming traffic. DSibling ended up attending a May Ball with a black eye because they went over their bike handlebar when someone walked out in front of them, as they cycled through the city centre.

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 07/09/2019 11:50

You can't move in Cambridge or York for bikes!

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 07/09/2019 11:57

Mind you Cambridge is a very easy city to navigate on foot too, unless living in one of the 'outskirts' colleges, such as Girton, Newnham (which I think has now changed its name), Robinson or the like.

OP posts:
Shimy · 07/09/2019 12:53

@dancingdirty DS has got his timetable. He received it last week, a week after after he enrolled online. It’s packed, though he finishes at 11am on Tuesdays.

Witchend · 07/09/2019 13:00

If you take a bike take a good lock and talk them through locking it. Frame, wheel and something immovable, and remove anything that is liftable that you can't lock down.

If they're buying a bike there watch out it's not from Dodgy Dave who pinched it from another university town and will probably pinch yours back again.
Friend of mine had his pinched in Oxford. He'd individualised it and it had a code on. Parents moved to Bristol during the term. He arrived home to find a student house down the road, one of whom had his bike. They'd bought it in Bristol completely innocently.
That was fun for the police to sort out!

RedHelenB · 07/09/2019 13:30

Dd2 all registered at Liverpool . Last weekend at home. Will be glad to see all the conservatory furniture filled with her uni stuff again!

bigTillyMint · 07/09/2019 13:46

@Witchend, ShockGrin

I got DS a pop up laundry basket, pillow protectors, over door hooks and a clothes horse this morning😇 He hasn't really sorted anything much yet, but TBF, he is working long shifts to earn £££

mimiasovitch · 07/09/2019 13:54

I finished off some last bits and bobs this morning. Mainly cleaning stuff, tampons, toothpaste and first aid bits. We'll do food just before we go. We'll spend this week packing it all up in easy to carry boxes - there's no parking at dd's Hall, so we park at the next hall and I think it's an NCP, so we don't want to be carrying anything too unwieldy. Not particularly looking forward to that but, especially Bristol on a Saturday lunchtime. Maybe we can convince dd2 to come with us as another pack mule pair of hands.

Decorhate · 07/09/2019 14:06

Also just back from another shopping trip. Apart from storecupboard food, there’s not much left to buy. He’s going to wait till he sees his room & the facilities before deciding if he needs an airer etc

FrameyMcFrame · 07/09/2019 20:26

I'm thinking about giving DD my new bike... it's not super special but did cost £500. I'll need to get a better lock. Her own bike is a bit small now!!

She's going to York so it will be useful.

Prokupatuscrakedatus · 07/09/2019 20:28

DD can stay at home, so no shopping trips for me.
She's looking to join a choir (hopefully the "fun" and not the "serious" one (they are doing Brahms this semster, which is perhaps a bit too much when you are still finding your way) and is checking out the language center.

FrameyMcFrame · 07/09/2019 20:40

Also DD's HBSC account came through...

Her new card etc came through the door this morning and I'm ashamed to say I grabbed it and put the whole, unopened envelope away in a drawer.

I think there will be the free £100 in there so I really want her to have that in the account when she goes. I know if she gets it now it will all be spent on going out etc

Am I being unreasonable?! Wink

Piggywaspushed · 07/09/2019 21:02

I'd probably do that! DH has his savings card as he doesn't want him touching his savings account which has a lot of money in it (inheritance). DS not to be trusted. I pondered what age DH might let him manage his finances!!

MrKlaw · 07/09/2019 21:14

They may need to activate - and you need the account number etc for SFE?

DrMadelineMaxwell · 07/09/2019 22:32

Dd has downloaded the packing list from the student room and is working her way down it making a list of what she doesn't have and what we need to get.

She took the doorstop straight off the list... "yeah, I won't be needing that!"
She's happy in her anti social bubble.

dancingdirty · 07/09/2019 22:44

Thanks @newmodel. Will get her to have a look

Northernlurker · 07/09/2019 22:56

Dd1 took her bike to Dundee, used it a fair amount the first year,less the second and not much at all last year so we bought it home and she's going to see how she gets on this year (medicine degree).

We live in York. I've had two bikes stolen. One with a lock that was too light, parked off the main road. One in a friends front garden. I'd locked it to dh's but stupidly forgot it was quick release front wheel...no issues touchwood since I only use a d lock and have a gazelle with an integral nurses lock so it's always double locked.

Dd2 got her first choice for seminars (History at York)so she's pleased. Don't need to do any shopping really, we've got her a surface pro laptop as dd1 got that and it's been v good, but she needs to sort the bank account out.

I'm just wondering about the GP thing. I went to York and they used to insist you registered with the uni practice but obviously she is already registered with a York practice and won't be changing.

juicy0 · 08/09/2019 05:42

Thank you for the new thread. Just checking in as we are on holiday so nothing new to report other than DD has her timetable.

Piggywaspushed · 08/09/2019 06:30

Aaargh... booking slots for arrival were sent out at 11.30 last night. No one is awake to discuss and I know DH will fuss about the slot (test match related...) but it has suddenly become apparent that there are slots on the Saturday/Sunday when they said there wasn't...

What to do, what to do....?

Decorhate · 08/09/2019 07:30

If your dh is the one most bothered by the timing, wake him up!

DrMadelineMaxwell · 08/09/2019 08:06

@Northernlurker I wonder if your dd and mine have chosen of of the same History units to study and will come across each other.

Piggywaspushed · 08/09/2019 08:13

décor, I am working on the assumption that most would be freshers are still slumbering... but I am giving him 20 minutes and then I'm going in!!

I also need to shout at him for leaving the freezer door open. Angry

Northernlurker · 08/09/2019 08:36

@DrMadelineMaxwell I wonder that too! I shall have to ask her to size up all persons for how much they look like they have a Mumsnetting parent!

Seriously though, if she or any York bound kids have a crisis then you know where I am! I've had this name for about 12 years so fairly established here Grin