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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:
JennyWreny · 09/09/2019 11:36

Watching carefully for rice cooker tips because I've never been successful in cooking one portion. I usually use 0.5 cup rice to just over 1 cup water, which makes two portions. When I've tried less it doesn't work, rice just dries out - actually, I've probably answered my own question there, haven't I? Just try more water!!!

ZandathePanda · 09/09/2019 11:50

I put loads of water in with the rice and just drain it when it’s ready (like dried pasta). As long as you keep an eye on it it seems fine. Is this wrong?Confused

MrKlaw · 09/09/2019 11:52

ours is only going to be used for Japanese rice but we're playing with 3/4 cup of rice to 2 cups water - makes a decent portion.

consider the instructions just a guide and play until you find the right balance. Even our proper electric rice cooker can take different water depending on the rice type. when we dial it in will probably mark 'rice' and 'water' lines on the measuring cup in permanent marker

MrKlaw · 09/09/2019 11:53

@ZandathePanda that probably works for long grain but if you're steaming it in the microwave you can try and get it so it finishes off having absorbed all the water. Saves draining too.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 09/09/2019 11:53

@MrKlaw we've got one of those at home. I find it makes perfect, fluffy rice every time. A recent (cheap) investment that definitely makes cooking rice very easy.

OP posts:
Alicatz66 · 09/09/2019 12:16

Just jumping on the new thread .. thanks @NewModelArmyMayhem18 x

RaptorInaPorkPieHat · 09/09/2019 12:28

I can't cook rice well myself so DD has no chance (doesn't eat it anyway, so it's not going to be an issue). I've become incredibly lazy about it and just buy the pre-cooked microwave pouches now, not a student friendly option really Wink

The good news here is DD's school offered to put her in for a re-mark for Biology and she's gone up a grade Smile Considering she's doing Zoo Biology at uni, it's quite a big morale boost for her.

MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 09/09/2019 12:39

Rice- half a mug of rice,one and half of boiling water and simmer with lid on, DO NOT STIR. Turn off heat and leave with a clean tea towel or wad of kitchen towel under the lid for 5 mins. Fork through to fluff it up.

Perfect rice every time Smile

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 09/09/2019 12:40

Good news about your DD's upgrade @RaptorinaPorkPieHat! From all the reports I've heard of, DS appears to be the only one not to have had one. Sure that can't be true but it feels like it!

OP posts:
MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 09/09/2019 12:42

Ds is in contact with his new flat mates via FB, he likes the fact that one of the boys isn't privately educated- where he's going I think there's a high percentage who are and ds is feeling a touch apprehensive.

They're sorting out who is bringing what for the kitchen which is niceSmile

simbobs · 09/09/2019 12:54

I have an awful feeling that ds doesn't actually want to go to uni, but is just doing it as he doesn't know what else to do. Anyone else?

Dh was completely unwilling to countenance him having a year out(would just stay around here scrounging off us and hang out with friends as he is doing now) and we have planned quite a few holidays in the next year or so on the basis of the nest being empty.

This is difficult for me as ds is only saying things he thinks I want to hear right now but he has shown no interest in a preparatory shopping trip, saying there is nothing he needs (mostly true, as reusing some of dd's student gear) and he has also not read the student handbook received last week, so thoughtfully written and so informative. Surely he should be looking through this to see what is going on? He is using as an excuse for his lack of excitement that none of his mates are bothered either.

It doesn't seem like cold feet to me. Am I overreacting?

MrKlaw · 09/09/2019 13:11

I think possibly overreacting. May simply not be fully engaged or trying to eke out the last bit of summer hols.

Ours is similar but was very active during open days last year

GaraMedouar · 09/09/2019 13:17

simbobs my DS is the same. I have to force him to do anything - he has now registered though and uploaded photo. Took him to supermarket yesterday to buy some bits and bobs - he was like a grumpy toddler. Have been doing a bit of cooking with him - jacket potatoes, spag Bol , he did a passable chicken stir fry last night!

CointreauVersial · 09/09/2019 13:31

@simbobs, my DD1 has been similarly disengaged with the whole process, although she says she's really looking forward to going. She's just one of those people who waits for things to happen. Left to her own devices, I doubt she'd have even done her UCAS form.

Maybe your DS doesn't know what else to do, but now he's got three years of improving himself and having fun while he decides where he's going next. I'm hoping that university will be a chance for DD1 to grow up and take charge of her own destiny.

Ginfordinner · 09/09/2019 13:53

That's how I cook rice MrsPellegrinoPetrichor.
I don't understand why anyone needs any gadgets other than a saucepan to cook it TBH.

DD is rather worried about her new flatmates. The girls are "set one PE" types as well as club loving, techno music loving girls (which is not DD's cup of tea at all) and she says she is still traumatised by the set one PE girls from school. We have told her that just because they have different interests they can still be nice people, but she struggles with people she has absolutely nothing in common with. I hope these night owl students won't keep DD awake all night as she struggles with CFS and will have a very full timetable.

Fortunately the girl she became friendly with at the offer holders day has similar interests, but her accommodation is some distance from hers. It seems that DD has more in common with the 2 male students in the flat than the girls.

bigTillyMint · 09/09/2019 14:05

@simbobs, I think it's pretty normal. DS hasnt done much and is definitely less on it than DD was, but he is looking forward to going judging by what he says. It is still 3 weeks away for him, but he spent a lot of time there last year (ex gf is there) and also with DD in her uni city so knows what the social life will be like at least!

If it's at least a couple of weeks for your DS, maybe feels a bit unreal?

simbobs · 09/09/2019 14:05

Thanks. Cointreauversial I don't think ds would have managed to do the ucas application without help, either. I, too, hope he will take advantage of this privileged education and grow up but my fear is that he'll be home by Christmas with a huge debt. I know I'm catastrophising to some extent but having invested a lot of my emotional resource in the last phase of his schooling I am ready to move on; wish I could feel that he is.

ZandathePanda · 09/09/2019 14:09

Gin my Dd has signed up for her block’s social event. Hopefully on her floor (32 people per floor) there’s a kindred spirit. Newcastle should have sent her the same.

simbobs · 09/09/2019 14:10

bigTilly he has almost 2 more weeks to go. Dd is also going away again in the meantime. Perhaps it doesn't seem quite real yet. I think he is worried that uni social life will be a bit tame. He has had a summer of festivals and camping out etc. He possibly also has too many ties here, gf and other mates, though 2 of them are going to the same place as him. Off to dentist now, at least I can tick off that from the list. He is flatly refusing to have his meningitis vaccine.

CointreauVersial · 09/09/2019 14:25

@simbobs - regarding the "huge debt" - we've agreed with DD1 that for the first year at least she will pay over her entire maintenance loan to us, and we'll pay it back weekly by standing order. She has no experience of budgeting, so has asked that we do this. She does have a small amount saved up from her part time job, but at least the possibility of her burning through 12 month's-worth of money in the first term is avoided.

Once we drive away on 21st September it will be up to her to run her own life. Sink or swim. We've helped her to set everything up, and can do no more! She can get out into the world and experience the best that university has to offer, or fester in her room under a pile of unwashed laundry; her choice! But I really think she will be OK, and so will your DS.

MrKlaw · 09/09/2019 14:32

@CointreauVersial we're doing the same - DS pays us mainteance, we pay maintenance. He has asked for monthly living expenses which we're ok to try for a while

bigTillyMint · 09/09/2019 14:38

@simbobs, is he going to a quieter uni destination? We are in London and DS is going to Durham (which DD thinks is worse than living in a hole Grin) so he knows it will be a lot quieter, but he also knows he has London and friends when he comes back in the holidays.

bigTillyMint · 09/09/2019 14:41

I'm going up check if DS wants us to do that re maintenance loan, but I think he will want to be in charge of it....

GaraMedouar · 09/09/2019 14:47

simbobs - my DS had his last dentist too - all fine - and has also refused to have Meningitis jab! I am hoping univ will be good for him and he will grow up a tad. I think it will be a shock to the system. His maintenance pays for accommodation, and then I will give him money monthly.

Piggywaspushed · 09/09/2019 15:20

Just to say re '12 months worth of money', the maintenance loan is paid in three instalments to avoid this!

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