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!

Drawer! FFS.

I found a few fluff encrusted sock balls under DS's bed, but had already ditched the partners some time ago. I have yet to have a proper clean of his room. There doesn't seem to be a particular rush.

Same here Benji.

DS did specify that he wanted a quiet flat on his application on the basis of his Autism, so I was surprised to see that it seems to be party central. I bought him some healthy option ready meals from M&S that he just has to nuke.

There is a girl in the flat is even more shy than him, and I am hoping they can form a united front on the group chat if necessary. Apparently they have agreed to bake a cake together when there is a quiet time one evening.

A proper hullo!

I've had a scan read of this very bustling thread so many different experiences.

@RaptorInaPorkPieHat

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 hullo! I think has linked to my thread of WOE - just came on MN to rage about the woefully overcrowded under resourced kitchen and non existent communal space at DD2 uni. she's happy enough though - despite her visions of lovely cooking witb her flatmates being shattered. We said we'd review it in a well and then see if we could swap accommodation if that what she wants.

A bit mixed up typing up there apologies.

@notaflyingmonkey the problem is that one person's quiet is another person's noisy. It's so subjective, isn't it? Good that there is another shy flatmate and that they seem to be bonding - it could be the start of a beautiful friendship!

I'm only clearing out DS2's bedroom so early because a) it was a health hazard b) missing clothes and cutlery c) the risk of a long abandoned packed lunch d) it hasn't been decorated since he was 4 😂

NewModel don't know who you were looking at to end your parcel to DS, but I sent one over 2kg with two sets beddings and a little chocolate with Hermes, tracked for £7

I know Edinburgh uni will certainly do practice fire alarms, so I'm sure many others will as well.

When my friend’s son went off to university, she rearranged his bedroom so the younger son could have it. She moved a chest of drawers to find branches of mould up the wall. She sourced it to an old lunchbox wedged under the chest of drawers. He last had a lunchbox at primary school .

Good lord! I'm fairly confident there aren't any primary school lunches in there. Although it is a possibility...

Oh thanks for that tip re cost @ifonly4 - I went to the Post Office clearly trying to rip me off. How did you organise a Hermes one - online?

Yuk to that @ZandathePanda but I can well believe it.

I cleared out DS's room early on the summer hols when he was away. It's needed another overhaul since he went up to UEA. It is considerably more habitable now but there's still some way to go before it's ready for DD to take over. Currently one of our pusses has taken up sleeping rights in the rocking chair in there - she's allowed as shes very tidy but for the odd bit of fur left on a cushion.

Yes, agree our house is much tidier, calmer and quieter , practically no washing and or ironing, does anyone else have a teenage DS who seems to think it is easier to throw something in the washing basket even if it's only been worn for an hour . And yes, in the spirit of being a backpack mum I suppose it is my fault for doing all the laundry at home .

The fridge remains full, no need to cater for different tastes at meal times.

I too sent a parcel via the Post Office (£13), mainly full of things DS had forgotten to take plus a few treats, chocolates, biscuits etc. I can remember loving getting parcels when I was at uni and DS even texted me a 'love you Mum' message after receiving it (worth £13 just for that!).

If you serch on parcels2go you get a variety of options for sending stuff. Much cheaper than the Post Office.

search

yeah we use parcel2go or parcelmonkey. Lots of options including collection if the parcel is bulky and decent prices.

Its suprising that washing often gets the short straw when it comes to teaching DCs domestic chores. Eg for chores we have them making packed lunches for us DPs; loading the dishwasher and clearing the table; and as they got a bit older they do dinner at the weekends (with a little help where needed). That all works well.

But for some reason we (and I'm sure many others) ignore the washing machine so its this mysterious object in the kitchen that they're almost afraid of - so many buttons and lights..

I got Dd those all-in-one washing tablets for convenience (size and carrying) and told her to just shove them in the drum first. She asked ‘what’s the drum’?

I've got a few things needing to go up to DD, mainly some internet shopping that didn't arrive in time (still waiting on one bit) plus her leather plastic jacket that went missing the day she went (found 3 days later at the bottom of the laundry hamper). I daresay with this crappy weather (despite having a perfectly serviceable but boring waterproof coat) she's missed her coat! Now I know her halls reception accept parcels (unless they're very big apparently) it makes things easier to send stuff to her...... I might sneak a halloween decoration in

@JennyWreny that gym membership seems very expensive - is that for Bath? The UEA campus one seems to be £150 a year which I thought a good price.

Thanks for flagging up parcels2go - where have I been to not know about this?

NewModel, yes I did it online and had to drop it off at a local point. Just had a look at the parcel2go site and that looks interesting.

HoldMyLobster well done to your DH for getting such bargain priced flights. How did he get on with hotel accommodation? When are you going? Have fun!

He didn't do as well with hotels - we're paying about $600 total for 3 of us for 2 nights. He works for a hotel company so he can usually get great deals, but not this time. Still it'll be fun. We're going in November so it'll be a bit chilly!

Reading the stuff about maths notations on iPads with interest. DD got an iPad and pencil for her 18th with the intention of using it for university. I know she will do some maths (and chemistry) courses so I wonder if she knows about these apps.

Our house is a bit quieter and a bit tidier, but we still have 2 at home, and DD had been at boarding school for 4 years anyway, so it's mostly gone back to normal.

I do miss DD though - we had a slightly unexpectedly lovely summer with her this year, and I feel like she's finally coming into her own and turning into a really cool person to be around. And now she's gone :-(

Think Nottingham gym was £205 for the year ... and is quite impressive

It was a scheduled fire alarm but I think that’s a bit mean to pick 6 am on Freshers week. From her latest photo she was at a dinosaur party last night so I’m guessing 6am bells were not welcome at all.
DD’s college gym is only £50 pa which seems very cheap. Tilly ? Is that right?

DD2 is waiting (has been all her life) to move into DD1’s much larger bedroom. I do feel conflicted as it would be nice when she comes home to return to her old room but on the other hand she’s had the luxury of a double bed that DD 2 has dreamt of for many years.

Just checked the gym membership is £40 all year and it’s newly refurbished since Sept 18, certainly looked very smart. Just need to spend some money on showers and I’ll be really happy with