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Higher education

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

Original poster

Our DC are nearly all officially students now (going to university 2019/20) - seizing the moment, spending, socialising, societies and studying!

999 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 17/09/2019 16:00

Previous thread

[Edited by MNHQ to fix the link]

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Alicatz66 · 20/09/2019 10:37

I've just done a crash course with DS on washing labels !!!! So he doesn't shove everything in the dryers and come home with hoodies to fit The Borrowers!!!!

Alicatz66 · 20/09/2019 10:38

... also I fell victim to the middle aisle in Aldi yesterday and have got him a drying airer that you hook over the top of the door as a normal one too big .. another thing to cram in car !!!

ElizabethBennetismybestfriend · 20/09/2019 10:39

DD has settled really well but has been totally shocked by a letter addressed to the resident of her room from the Tv licencing people about the fact she does not have a licence (she does not have a tv). She rang us in tears last night. She has told them that she doesn't have a tv (we think the previous occupant of the room had one) but it has really upset her (none of her flatmates have had a letter) and she had settled so well up until this.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 20/09/2019 10:44

Oh dear that's very unfortunate. @ElizabethBennetismybestfriend, hopefully that can be sorted out by sending proof (her university acceptance letter) that she's only just started? Perhaps she could get it counter-signed by someone in the accommodation office? Presumably the letter is for the attention of a former resident?

OP posts:
boys3 · 20/09/2019 10:48

I guess our DCs could be described as from the Harry Potter generation. In respect to.........that .........thread - I can't even bring myself to use its name - perhaps as well as he who must not be named, we can also now have the item that must not be named Scarily the latter can also be purchased with the former emblazoned on it.

MrKlaw · 20/09/2019 10:53

@Alicatz66 your DC needs to stand on their own two feet eventually - stop backpacking them

Hmm works quite well ;p

Also be careful with hanging dryers - lots of the rooms we checked during open days are fire doors with no easy way to hang something over them

MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 20/09/2019 10:54

I've just done a crash course with DS on washing labels !!!! So he doesn't shove everything in the dryers and come home with hoodies to fit The Borrowers!!!!

I told ds to wash everything at 30 and it'll all be fineGrin

MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 20/09/2019 10:56

Fucking TV licence people Angry

They probably randomly target student rooms.

boys3 · 20/09/2019 10:56

@elizabethBennetismybestfriend I've heard of this elsewhere. Presumably the letter was not addressed specifically to your DD but rather the occupant of. Of course if she is watching either live TV or iplayer on a device not being run on batteries (eg not plugged into the mains) then she does need a TV licence. A link to this has been on one of these threads. This may not be the actual one but it seems to cover it www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/tv-licence/ see item 9

simbobs · 20/09/2019 10:59

@MrKlaw, that's true. We are not packing an overdoor hanger for that reason. My ds now playing his guitar, not yet had breakfast, not packed anything (and we are leaving in 25 hours), oh, and going to a party in another town tonight so won't be home until some time tomorrow. I am not happy...

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 20/09/2019 11:00

If @elizabethBennetismybestfriend's DD has only been there a week or so, it's not likely meant for her?

I have drummed it into DS that he must not watch live TV with his laptop plugged in. He said he will watch it on his phone mostly - or head over to the SU for important sports events.

OP posts:
boys3 · 20/09/2019 11:00

oops double negative, should have put .if she is watching either live TV or iplayer on a device not being run on batteries (eg -plugged into the mains). The link I was posted probably, well undoubtedly, explains it better. :)

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 20/09/2019 11:02

As if they haven't got enough to be contending with already, without having to deal with something historical that's nothing to do with them.

OP posts:
ifonly4 · 20/09/2019 11:03

Piggy it's not always easy to start with. Can you convince him to ask the girls in his flat, between them one may have an idea about looking bacon or putting a wash on.

minesawine hope it goes well today.

We're just about two weeks in and it sounds like DD is making friends - phew . She's been on a hill walk at 6am today(!) and is going to a climate change protest with a few friends, including one she's met from another uni.

simbobs · 20/09/2019 11:03

Neither of my dc has watched tv for years, so I doubt they will start now.

Ragwort · 20/09/2019 11:11

Mine hope you are feeling OK, we are nearly there, private halls & no particular check in times. DS already remembering things he forgot to pack, blaming me of course.

MrKlaw · 20/09/2019 11:13

Stupid to send any kind of letter to (presumably halls) which will nearly always be first years - at the start of the year. It obviously won’t be the person they’re referring to.

Original poster
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 20/09/2019 11:16

@MrKlaw agree - they should know that it's 100% likely (unless Oxbridge) that the occupant who had the TV would no longer be there by the time the letter was issued/sent.

Maybe they just send out letters randomly, rather like phishing ones, hoping that a certain % of intimidated students will just pay up.

OP posts:
MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 20/09/2019 11:27

I imagine the TV letter is for new students and randomly sent out to intimidate people.

I just texted ds to warn him in case anyone in his house gets one, and to remind him he is covered by ours.

MrKlaw · 20/09/2019 11:35

The one thing my DS has been active in sorting out is making sure his iPad is logged into all my video apps - especially virgin media so he can watch BT sport

MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 20/09/2019 11:37

MrKlaw

Yes, ds is logged into NetflixGrin

Decorhate · 20/09/2019 12:01

Re the other thread, Bath is consistently in the top 5 for ds’ course and as he didn’t want London or Scotland & wasn’t Oxbridge material, he is very chuffed to be going there.

Some people’s obsession with the “right” uni always bemuses me. My best friend from my course, at a uni no one has ever heard from, has one of the top jobs in that industry now. And we certainly didn’t achieve firsts! Grin

Baytreemum · 20/09/2019 12:01

Piggy - I think you said he was doing nursing and that is soo great - we need him! Would it be worth grabbing a sleeping bag and leaping on a train after work to help him get set up with the washing and cooking? The trainee nurses I saw at open days were all wearing polo shirts which don’t need ironing if he gives them a light spin - maybe he could get some uni ones?

Trewser · 20/09/2019 12:25

I wish so much he was at dds uni. She's a natural mother hen and would be round there like a shot. She's already taken one of the quiet boys in her flat under her wing and messaged me to say she was taking him to the SU to get organised and then showing him the laundry. She's been there less than 24hours. Poor bloke hope he feels able to escape Confused

Baytreemum · 20/09/2019 12:48

My dd spent 10 minutes wandering around spooky basements before she could even find the w machines! She said it was really dodgy down there!