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Original poster

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

999 replies

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 26/09/2019 12:16

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

OP posts:
FrameyMcFrame · 29/09/2019 22:05

Thanks Simbobs MrsKlaw and RedHeken

Just checked and the loan is going into her normal current account not her student account.

And it's going to be paid in tomorrow so it's too late to change it.

Does this matter? Had a vague recollection it needed to go into student account

hopelesschildren · 29/09/2019 22:17

Oh, ProfessorLayton. I think I mentioned in the previous thread, but yes we also ended up with a £80 fine couple of weeks ago.

I think it should be on any future lists-to-do for London uni goers.

Fozzleyplum · 29/09/2019 22:19

We took DS to Lancaster today. Despite the monsoon weather, It couldn't have been a better experience. The welcome was amazing, with lots of students offering to help, and a current student taking each new student to the allotted townhouse. The parents' talk was very reassuring.

DS is very pleased with his room and the townhouse generally. When we left, all 12 of them were chatting round the kitchen table.

Ginfordinner · 29/09/2019 22:21

We looked at the townhouses at Lancaster and liked them.

minesawine · 29/09/2019 22:25

Just home from an NTU visit as my DS was 19 yesterday. I was worried because although he kept saying that everything was great, I just knew something wasn't quite right. Anyway after taking him out for a lovely birthday lunch he did open up and said he was struggling a bit, he was really homesick, he liked his hall mates but not enough to hang out with, he was spending a lot of time alone and hadn't gone to check out freshers clubs and societies because he couldn't see the point. Then he met 1 person on his course who he liked and had been out with a couple of times, he had been to the gym and was feeling a bit better. So much so that he was feeling a bit more positive. He is keen to start his lessons and just live a normal student life. We have arranged for him to home for the weekend in a month or so, but I will be up like a shot if he needs me. I just wanted to bring him home with me, I wish I could.

MrKlaw · 29/09/2019 22:26

Yeah once DS has settled in I’d like him to hopefully share his budgeting - I expect he’ll be fine but we’re paying monthly, and I’d like to see that he’s eg separating food/housekeeping costs from booze/going out etc - so he can see if/where savings can be made.

justasking111 · 29/09/2019 22:57

Well tomorrow DS starts his course. He did not bother to join any societies at freshers ggrrr... so am hoping that he will join something at a later date. He was keen on sports at school.

I wonder if when they start lectures if they will start to bed in a bit more having structure to their days.

HoldMyLobster · 29/09/2019 23:26

Husband has just booked our flights to see our oldest (of 3) at Family Weekend at her university in Chicago.

It started off at $2000 for 4 of us to go there, flights only. He's got it down to $200 total, everyone in extra legroom seats, by using airmiles and credit card points.

Now he's looking for a hotel. I'm intrigued to see what he comes up with Grin

Her siblings haven't ever seen her university, so I'm excited to take them there. Plus they'll get to watch a big American football game, see their sister play in her band, and maybe see a bit of the city.

bengalcat · 30/09/2019 00:08

Made it back from Durham to London in 4hrs 50 - hurrah . Check in time today was from 3pm - massive queue for room keys and I kept looking at the clock thinking aargh it’s going to take me about 5 hours to drive home .

MarchingFrogs · 30/09/2019 00:53

Does this matter? Had a vague recollection it needed to go into student account

From Student Loans' point of view, it doesn't have to be a special 'student' account. What would matter, is whether the account Ts&Cs stipulate that the loan must be paid into it.

bigTillyMint · 30/09/2019 06:07

@ProfessorLayton1, there's Congestion Charge and ULEZ if you have an old diesel (we do!) - we live in zone 2 and would never bother to drive into town (but do have to cross when driving out of London) Public transport is plentiful and relatively cheap. Or Uber/Kapten, etc. Please do ask if you want any advice!

@bengalcat, not able to check in till 3? What a pain for you when you want to be able to settle them in. But under 5 hours to get back is good - did you stay on the A1?

MrKlaw · 30/09/2019 06:37

@justasking111 easier to sign up and the drop out - I’d be worried once studies start they don’t start to look for other stuff. DS tried squash but didn’t get on with it and was ‘thinking’ about some others but I guess that means not signed up

I reminded him this weekend to make sure he has some distractions from studying and staying in the house.

He did rely to his mum that he’d made fajitas and tuna pasta bake - that hopefully suggests sharing with flat mates so maybe they’re going to try sharing the cooking?

bigTillyMint · 30/09/2019 06:47

MrKlaw, it sounds like he's beginning to find his way? Does he have any mates who will go up to visit? Would he consider getting a job, maybe in a uni bar or indeed anywhere to give him a sense of routine/roots, etc?

FWIW, DD didn't join any clubs and didn't do any explicit budgeting Smile

tommyshaircut · 30/09/2019 07:23

@Fozzleyplum ds is also in a Lancaster townhouse. He's in County college. They were going out last night to the college bar with the next door house.

Ginfordinner · 30/09/2019 07:45

Finally! Some freshers pictures from DD. She looks like she is enjoying herself.

Benjispruce · 30/09/2019 07:48

Quick phone conversation with DD this morning reveals that there is only one bathroom with one shower over bath for the whole corridor of ten rooms! They have all complained but they’ve said there’s nothing they can do! They can reduce the rent for a start imo! I’ve advised she joins the gym and uses those showers- presumably there are some. Really annoyed that they think 1 shower and 2 toilets is acceptable between 10. The bathroom isn’t even complete and being tiled today. It’s a big room too so could fit a few showers in it. Angry

bigTillyMint · 30/09/2019 07:58

@Benjispruce, I am Shock at both the lack of showers/loos, and that shes already up!
The bathroom that's being tiled is in addition to the one already there or the only one? Showering inthe gym is a good plan, but needing a loo...

Ragwort · 30/09/2019 07:58

Mine sorry to hear your DS is struggling a little, really hope he will feel better once the lectures start today, I think they have a fairly full timetable (at least more than my 4 hours a week many years ago Grin).
I think my DS has been very lucky, he is sporty and has joined a few sports groups, started a part time job already and seems to have made quite a few friends, not just in his flat.

Citygirl2019 · 30/09/2019 07:59

Benji the shower situation does not sound good. When we looked at accommodation the shower facilities and student ratio was very clear, can you check what you thought you booked? I

Jano69 · 30/09/2019 08:05

I'm drinking a cup of tea in the Premier Inn at Durham - we must be the last Parents here!

Drop off at Stephenson College went well. His room is basic but he has plenty of storage space and we've made it home with cushions and stuff from home. Kitchen is dire and two showers/two toilets between 11 of them!!

We arrived at 3pm and didn't leave until 7pm but we felt the time was well spent as he's completely unpacked and ready to go! Stevo has a real buzz and exceeded expectations - so that's a good start.

We said goodbye at 7pm but felt terrible as we left him hungry. DS was convinced the college were feeding freshers for the first week but we only discovered this was to start on Monday. He had to grovel to his new flatmate to share his pasta!

He enjoyed the Stevo Launch night and said the people were great so, so far so good.

DH and I went for a meal and drinks in the City Centre - lots of freshers out having the time of their lives!

Matriculation is on Wed - he's brought smart gear but looks like he's the only one without a jacket SadThere's 9 at Durham from his school so hoping he can borrow from one of them who doesn't matriculate in the same day.

No tears for us yet, but it's early days.

Benjispruce · 30/09/2019 08:09

There is only 1 shower. It’s over a bath so can’t even be used separately. 2 toilets, 1 not working. The 1 bathroom is untiled. 2 international students have been there since Wednesday and not happy now the floor has 10!! They had an induction paint party last night so covered in pink powder and has a meeting at 9. Great planning Collingwood Hmm
As for what we booked, we didn’t, you just get allocated but they said most corridors have 2 showers but some have 1 if less people on that floor. Her floor is full.

Jano69 · 30/09/2019 08:14

@Benjispruce We saw the Collingwood freshers out last night in their white t shirts and painted faces having a fantastic time.

Mustbetimeforachange · 30/09/2019 08:23

Gosh, Benji that doesn't sound great. Do they at least have wash basins in their rooms? 10 people wanting the loo & a shower before 9am lectures isn't going to work.

bengalcat · 30/09/2019 08:28

Yes the only good things about the relatively late drop off and leave is that M1/A1M were clear and ethe rain had stopped . She likes her room and had a paired shower and loo . Kitchen alright but no idea how many users. More space then when I was a student

bigTillyMint · 30/09/2019 08:31

@Benjispruce, ah old clothes for paint party....

@Jano69, I wonder if DS was one out in town?!