The ABC of university life (2019/20 cohort) - Will NewModelArmyMayhem18 forgive me?

[MrKlaw]

previous thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3701968-The-ABC-of-university-life-2019-20-cohort-settling-in-we-hope

Hope you don't mind - people have pent up comments about cheese graters and traffic cones to get out of their system!

Thank you to the nice people who replied.

@bigTillyMint
@GoldenRuby
@SchrodingersKitty
@Ginfordinner
And a couple of others, sorry.

Thanks all. Mum of trans DD (and will soon name change yet again to avoid certain people on here). All going very well for her I think.

Does anyone know the best time to start looking for 2nd year accommodation in Nottingham. My DS in NTU says nobody is looking yet. Can someone explain the process to me please, including deposits. Are rentals generally cheaper than halls?Also what's the best areas to live. I know nothing. Thanks

I don't know anything about nottingham but here's what I have generically. Renting is probably cheaper than halls (but I guess it depends how expensive your halls are) but things to bear in mind are that you will probably rent for the full year rather than just the academic year. Bills may or may not be included, make sure if they are renting a room in an already shared flat (or if they use a buddy up service with a rental agent) that the others in the flat are also students as otherwise there will be council tax to pay (flats with all students in them are exempt). Some things might work out cheaper i.e. doing washing will be cheaper in the flat than in halls. Things that are probably included in your halls will be electricity and gas, internet access, contents insurance etc. You will want to establish what level of furnishing will be supplied e.g. appliances - they also might be more likely to require a tv licence in a flat. For example, it looks like rental for a 4 bed where DS is, is about £1k - £1.4k per month. So, say £250-350 per person per month, plus bills, maybe another £50 per month? His small, scruffy single bed non- ensuite room in halls is £113 per week for 40 weeks (Total £4520). His share of a flat rental looks like it will be about £3600 to £4800 for 12 months.

Usually I think it's 1 month rent up front as a deposit.

Take photographs of everything both on arrival and leaving. The landlord may require regular inspections, check how often these will be and whether they expect a tenant to be in or if not, are the agents retaining keys. Obviously also read meters if being liable for bills.

in terms of location, at DSs Uni, they are not in the city centre, and the accommodation is even further out. I think we'll maybe be looking at something between the city centre and the uni, try to keep near the bus route and check out the availability of a supermarket. Also consider if they need to be near sports facilities or work if they have a job. Upper floor flats are preferable (despite the stairs) as they are warmer and generally more secure.

I'm still here! Not been very chatty as elderly father has deteriorated over recent weeks and we've also been away for a long weekend in Europe. Don't hear much from DS. Would love news and photos but I generally get dull questions re life admin. We spoke on the phone tonight (only every 10 days or so) and he's looking forward to coming home to London soon for some home cooked food and a free laundry service. He's worried about money and looking for budgeting tips. The university experience had definitely matured him.

@Atreus that’s great. I think my DD is getting really fit too after 2 years of hardly any exercise during A levels. Shame she’s drinking so much but hoping that will tail off.

Great advice there @WaxOnFeckOff. Though wish DD’s rent next year was as little as that.

I’m still here, mum to a NTU Fresher.

mine so pleased you had a lovely weekend with your DS & that he is enjoying NTU, as is my DS, seems like they made a great choice. I am very impressed with the number of different groups and activities DS is involved with (not just drinking ), he really seems to be making the most of the opportunities on offer ... has even asked us to send up his walking boots which I don’t think have even been looked at for the last few years .

He has half heartedly talked about next year’s accommodation but I hope he doesn’t rush into it, my DN booked a house with her fresher flat mates quite early on but then there was a major falling out and it all got rather difficult with deposits etc.

Benji, I think it is more expensive per head in a smaller flat but there is a bigger supply of those. I think we might be benefitting from an excess of supply due to the oil situation. He says at the moment that the 4 of them want to share but I think its still early days. I think they have a consolidation week in January when they go back so I'll suggest that might be a good time for them to suss out options.

Thank you @WaxOnFeckOff for the advice.

Liverpool mum here.
Settling well, great crowd of friends and enjoying course. Been home once, much more grown up but lovely to see here. No looking for next year yet but DD1 had signed for hers by Xmas of first year (£350 pcm plus about £50pcm for bills).

Glasgow here, all going well, but I suspect a little touch of homesickness creeping in, she’s coming home this weekend. Lots of problems in their halls, the latest being their plate cupboard falling off the wall, but they seem to be taking it in their stride.
I’m also a personal tutor at my university and my freshers are both finding their feet and hitting a mid-term low as they realise there is work to be done, not just socialising!

Thanks for the great advice Wax. Really helpful. Rags my DS is definitely getting a bit more involved, although still not as much as I would like. I think there may be the start of a 'friendship' with a girl, so all is good. And whilst I don't want him to rush into finding accommodation or choosing flatmates, I don't want him to be left behind. Although happy to leave finding the deposit for as long as possible.

Is your DD in Murano chemenger?

Yes, Murano, cheap and cheerful!

Not much to report from me. Went to see ds this week as I have the week off. He seems to have settled in. Not as many contact hours as he thought so far. He seems very relaxed about January exams at the moment. He has a flatmate doing the same course & they have made vague plans to share a house next year but haven’t done anything about getting others on board or looking yet.

DS at Edinburgh here. All going fine so far except we’re a little dismayed to find he has exams on Dec 20 - it’s a long term when they started the first week of on Sept! We’re up visiting as it’s our other DS half term week; it’s a lot colder than it is in England but a lovely city.

20th? DD breaks up 13/12.

DD wants to come home, she is so ill.

He is surprised at how little he is spending - I however wish that he would relax and spend a little more! @Clankboing our DS is exactly the same. He had £675 (first month's money from us and a some leftover from SFE, after paying his rent) to start with (hasn't yet paid in a cheque I wrote out for him for October). He still had £400+ left a few days ago. I keep telling him not to live like a hermit monk!

Will try to make sure I am around to do the next thread later on. We've slowed down but still filling them up nicely!

@Ginfordinner, your poor DD. Do you think she should/could come back for a few days, or stick it out?

@Ginfordinner - Does she mean to get better, or permanently?
I hope that she is ok - I forget how far she is from home? Can you go and visit?

No, just because she feels so ill. She has managed to get a doctor's appt for this afternoon. She is so disappointed to miss this evening's activities. She has spent money on tickets and an outfit. She missed a party on Monday as well.

@OatyGoaty ... my DS is at Nottingham Uni ... there are a few of us here too .

I'm still around. DD is in Chicago and we are east coast US, and I haven't seen her since early Sept. She's having a great time, so I'm not worried. I do see her on TV and YouTube occasionally when she plays in her band, which is a little bizarre.

We're visiting her in a couple of weeks, and her siblings will get to see the campus, her room, etc for the first time. Can't wait. I am ready for it to be cold but I really hope it doesn't rain.