The ABC of university life (2019/20 cohort) - settling in we hope

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread - sorry about the lame thread title but done in a hurry!

Hello! Had to look up the ‘royal’ ref on the last thread. Don’t think it will knock Boris out of the headlines.

Placemarking

Hi @ZandathePanda - won't deign to give 'he who shall not be named' any air space on here

Totally agree with whoever suggested that tip about not enjoying freshers' week not being the be all and end all. Agree that some of the best university friendships (as with life generally) are a slow burn.

Coming on to mark my place and say that was astonished by the amount of storage in DDs bedroom at Cardiff. The rooms are not massive, but are brilliantly designed. We took a carfull of stuff thinking we could bring back anything there was no room for, but in fact she still has loads of space. I'm not sure how we'll move her stuff at the end of the year if she does fill it all mind you. One useful thing addition was a set of hooks to hang over the door (and yes it is a fire door, but they still fit) - useful not to fill up the wardrobe with coats (and being in Wales she has taken a few ).

@LillianGish that's good to hear. We are seriously thinking that it would be cheaper potentially for DS to rent a small self-storage unit over the summer than try to get all his kit home. Mind you, aren't their second year student house rental contracts likely to start during their 'long vac' time?

...In other news all 8 flat mates (from 4 different countries) now chatting, thanks to my Dds dogged determination to keep communicating. She eventually got the last one to speak (!) and the girl finally told her her name, said she was bad at speaking English and did Dd know how to contact someone to help her as her tooth is hurting! I don’t know why she was glaring at the others or why she was taking Dds stuff but the lines of communication are now open and Dd said she is very sweet.
Message to all DCs: keep going with trying to communicate with your flatmates!

Newmodel can’t remember who said they bought a sick bucket named B*ris but thinking I will take one up when we visit in several weeks time.

@ZandathePanda good for your DD - clearly the glare was potentially one of sheer terror. Just goes to show how wrong first impressions can be. Poor flatmate having toothache on arrival though - is there a school of dentistry allied to their university - they may run an emergency clinic as part of the training?

@LillianGish ... I bought an airer that fits really well over the door to dry laundry.. Aldi middle aisle .. the doubters said it wouldn't fit !!! ... it folds flat when not needed .. really useful

Mind you, aren't their second year student house rental contracts likely to start during their 'long vac' time?

DS1's did. He went back to move out of his flat on the last day and transported all his stuff to his house using a supermarket shopping trolley. Possibly several trips.

DS found the common room full of overseas students, he being a bit shy withdrew. The app didn`t work for the washing machines took time to sort. It is his freshers fair today asked him to ask about GP services because he still does not have a clue how to organise one, which worries me.

One brilliant thing at Cardiff Justasking was that immediately after you'd picked up your room keys you were steered out via tables where they signed you up for a GP. Not sure if DD would ever have got round to it otherwise.

checking in!

DD in the thick of her first week of lectures, reading for next week's seminars and the realisation that this is what it's all about is hitting hard! She tried out for the society related to her favourite activity this week though so hopefully that will provide a welcome distraction. Her flatmates have gelled really well too so all well on the domestic front which is a relief.

NewModel yes there’s the dentist school right next to their accommodation in Newcastle, handily.
The problem she is having it that all the freshers events are booked up before she can sign up so she feels like she’s wasting her wristband. She was helping her flatmate yesterday when today’s events came online to book and missed out again as they sold out in 3 minutes.

@ZandathePanda that's not a value-for-money wristband (sounds like a con!) if you buy it and then can't get into events!

Oh good news for the flatmate with toothache - hope she gets it sorted out quickly. Poor thing.

@ZandathePanda, sounds like your DD is lovely Wristband sounds rubbish though

DS is very slowly ticking off jobs. And we have his Prize Giving tonight ...

Airdropping in a new can opener from amazon to the campus Amazon Locker.

Yes he could just get one from Robert Dyas but I'm being extra nice in the hope it encourages him to keep in touch more

@LillianGish

If you don't mind, could you tell me what accommodation your DD has at Cardiff.
Currently a year off from my dd hopefully starting there. I've had a look on the university site, but a recommendation would be helpful.

Glad your DD has a good place !

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 I think the rented accommodation usually starts from around 1st July.

@MrKlaw - keep hoping, I haven't heard from DS since his first text. I'm wondering how freshers week is going. I'm going to try and phone him tonight - don't feel hopeful. The last text I sent him was saying he had some cash at home and did he want me to transfer the amount to his bank account. No response. Even for money!

Placemarking.

Pmk

Mine can’t wait to go - taking her up Sat for Sun .

Teplying to icanbe - storage space usually a bit limited (my dc has small wardrobe but lots ofvshelves so suggested they get themself some plastic crates from argos for 'overflow'. Often there are big drawers under the bed too - zip-up laundry bags are good for keeping the dust off jumpers etc stored there?