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!

With Collingwood!

It was a scheduled fire alarm but I think that’s a bit mean to pick 6 am on Freshers week

Year before I arrived the story went that a heater caught fire at 1am and fire brigade was called and full evacuation of the accommodation for a good hour and a bit. Unfortunately this wasn't relayed to the health and safety team who commenced with their pre-planned fire alarm at 6am the same morning.
Consequently our "early morning" one was at 8:30am.

I did warn dd about early morning practices, and told her to make sure shoes and jumper are grabbable by the door with her keys. Number of people that locked themselves out during fire practices, with no shoes on and in thin nightwear was considerable.

I once slept right through a fire alarm when I lived in halls - just as well it wasn't a real fire!

@Benjispruce, I have no idea re cost of the gym, but DS was saying it was v well equipped!

Interesting hearing about giving bedrooms to younger siblings.
We are the wicked parents who are about to put the family home on the market, I don’t think the D.C. will be that bothered, as they are excited by our new plans, but it does feel a bit weird.

I spent the day after we dropped him off spring cleaning ds1’s bedroom. He has reluctantly agreed that ds2 can sleep in there while he is away (bigger bed). Little does he know that ds2 has pretty much moved in all his belongings!

Me too @Decorhate. Dc2 is using the room for his IB homework as he has the smallest room and I’m using it as an ironing/laundry sorting room - all with dc1’s approval

It was always the deal that they would swap bedrooms when DD1 went to university so it’s not without her consent. At least she’ll be used to a smaller room and a single bed!

It will be strange them going home to somewhere that doesn't really feel like it because they've never lived there full-time, don't you think @Itscoldouthere? Hope the sale is straightforward and quick. When are you hoping to move by - Christmas?

Oh New home is where the heart is! I should think so long as there’s a full fridge and a shower to use when they want, they’ll be happy!

@Itscoldouthere .. same here .. hoping to move end of November... DS coming home for weekend at end October as only an hour away .. but when he comes home at Christmas will be to new house

Those moving: are you downsizing?

Well our move is all a bit complicated and I think it may take a while to sell our house as it’s a rather cooky house in a village, but who knows, we moved here 6 years ago for various reasons (schools etc) now that D.C. are both at uni we feel like we are rattling around here, so plan to downsize back to London, the D.C. don’t mind as they don’t have any friends in the village, although they do like having the room to have friends to stay here and we won’t have that in London.
Who know how long it might take, but hope to go on the market within the next few weeks.

Just in time for Brexit!!!

Dd2 is in dd1s old room now stripping wallpaper. She has also waited all her LIFE (!) to not have the box room. Dd1 has always been award that they would be swapping. And although I'm concerned that she won't like it when she returns, I'm not keeping the bigger room free for 2/3rds of the year just so she can have it when she's home.

Ds1 actually offered to swap rooms with younger brother. I am redecorating smallest room and putting in a lovely old fashioned bureau (ds1 likes traditional furniture) and a new fitted wardrobe to soften the blow.

Little does he know that ds2 has pretty much moved in all his belongings!

The day after DS left for uni last year DD put all of his things in the bathroom they shared into a box and moved them out.

New it is expensive, isn't it? Hope it's good. The other uni gym is cheaper but this one has a pool and it's not that much more.

DD did Tesco.com order for delivery. Except she put our home address by accident! Luckily realised and has now changed it, otherwise it would have turned up here!

DS already moved into DDs room - was always the plan. We will redecorate it for him when he gets round to choosing a colour!

Ds1 has a much bigger bedroom than anyone, even us (but we have en suite) but it wouldn't feel right letting the other 2 dc's move rooms. Ds3 has a box room. So if ds2 moved to ds1's room he'd want to move too. Leaving ds1 with a box room when he's home. I'd feel like he wasn't welcome home if I did that. Perhaps I'm the only one that feels like that. But as the university is commuting distance ds may commute next year. But if he moves into accommodation in the city next year then maybe I'll think of letting them move rooms. Though they've not asked. Ds3 likes the box room at the moment as he's near us (he's 10)

No room moving here as we are now empty-nesters. But I have been tidying and chucking - anyone else I "re-nesting"?!

Definitely renesting here Tilly. Have this sudden drive to tidy and get organised after DS's 106 day summer break.

Heard from DS this evening and relieved to hear he's having a great time. Despite being disappointed to be allocated Stephenson College as it's so far from Durham city centre, it seems no one else put it as their preferred college either so he's with likeminded people having an absolute ball. He's not getting to bed until 3am so sleep deprived and hungover. Living on pasta and pizza but attempting a stir fry this evening.

Tomorrow is matriculation!

Jano69, that's great! We seemed to walk around quite a few colleges on the weekend and found John Snow - is it part there? Anyway, no worry where he is - it sounds like it's worked out.

No news from DS, so we are presuming all is well!

Hoping matriculation doesn't require them to be outside very much at Durham, given the current weather :-(.

John Snow is currently right in the centre of Durham, close to the railway station.

I'm not sure where John Snow is now Tilly. They used to be next to Stephenson but have since relocated. Stephenson have taken John Snow's old accommodation this year and doubled the number of freshers from 150 to 300.

Cross post - thanks NewModel I heard John Snow freshers are pleased with their new site.