The CDE of University Life (2019/20 cohort) - assignments, flat-hunting, Halloween and the end of their first term fast approaching

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread - Obvs the end of term is looming sooner for some than for others? I guess the Oxbridge posse will finish by the end of November or just into December?

@DrMadelineMaxwell, I think that situation is pretty common TBH. It's really awkward telling people you don't want to share with them. And if they all go drinking/clubbing together, perhaps it didn't occur to them that others who don't might want to be in their group or feel left out?

If shes at Yotk uni then I know students who have stayed on campus all 3 years. Wouldnt gave been my choice but a possibility.

Just totally depends on the area and what’s available, my DS has just signed up for his flat share for Y2, with two other friends, people he met through a society, not his current flat mates, although they all get on very well and three of them are looking for somewhere to share together.
However his rent is only going to be about £500 less for the whole year than Halls, it will include all bills so I think that makes it easier to budget and less arguing between flat mates ... but still expensive .

I've assumed rent will be way more because you're paying for the full year. Anything close to a 36 week Halls rate would be a bonus.

And makes it shocking how expensive halls are!

Sorry - a question totally unrelated to anything you’ve been discussing! How early did your DC go up before the beginning of term in Sept? How early do halls allow them to go up? He’s going to Newcastle and is on a gap year. Thanks

LaBelle most Halls give a specific ‘moving in date’ (some will specify the actual time slot), I doubt many would encourage the students to arrive before a specific date.

Ah ok - @ZandathePanda and Ginfordinner ( can’t remember your new username) - was that the case for Newcastle? I know DS’s friend who’s at Leicester went up at least a week early.

There will be a moving in weekend at which students need to register at Uni etc. Many places rent out Halls commercially during the long summer holidays so they are not available to move into. There’s no advantage to going up early anyway- everyone moving in simultaneously is good socially

Has anyone had experience of using self storage facilities over university vacations? Now that we've got DS's stuff up in Oxford I am a bit concerned about bringing it all back again at the end of term given the uncertainty about DH's health and whether he'll be able to drive at the end of Christmas vacation. Rather than having to rely on friends and relations I am thinking it might be better to rent a small storage unit and for DS to bring home only what he would be able to take back on the train, perhaps with our help (so clothes, books, computer). It would be rather complicated - he'd need to wash and dry all bedding before storing, arrange for a large taxi to transport, etc - but I could probably be there to help.

It would be useful particularly to know if anyone has had a bad experience of particular storage companies - hidden charges, lack of security, damp, etc.

My DS is at Nottingham. Term started on the Monday and they could move on Friday, Saturday or Sunday ... we had a time slot for parking etc ... it was really well organised .

@SchrodingersKitty (((hugs))) to all your family. Hope you get good news soon.
On storage, we could leave some stuff in storage at college, so get him to ask. Priority was given to overseas, but I think your situation would also count as priority. I had a lockable trunk that went there over the summer, and I had a fur cover I put over it during the other holidays which made it look like a footstall, and just let my scout know so she didn't worry about it.

Dd spent last week teching for the freshers' shows and was very tired on Sunday when she phoned. But she is actually eating toast, which is a great addition to her diet
She also has got two people to share with next year, so hopefully they'll find something shortly. I'm much relieved as last time I spoke to her she sounded quite despondent about finding anyone.

Thanks @Witchend - I hadn't thought he would count as priority (they've said only overseas students do), but it is certainly worth him asking.

It's worth asking. I went to the domestic bursar and said we lived up in Lancashire and my parents couldn't come and collect me so I had to get the train, and he was fine with it. I'm not even sure it was really checked anyway!

@SchrodingersKitty, DD left stuff in storage in Bristol for about a month at the end of first year. It cost a small fortune - the initial price you see is increased greatly by add-ons.... I would definitely ask if there is any option to store at the uni given your home situation.

At least they don't have to bring everything home between full year house rentals!

Do they definitely need to empty out over Christmas Kitty?

DS2 has a 40 week contract though, his only needs to be cleared out in June, so Christmas and easter are fine.

Hope you get something sorted.

DD’s house rent plus bills and food is about the same or a little cheaper) as catered halls at Durham. But at least there will only be 5 of them and 2 showers!

Wax they almost certainly do in Oxford because they'll want the first year rooms for interview candidates.

That's not great is it witchend? Got to keep the ££££ rolling in I suppose.

Can anyone tell me when second year’s generally move in to their accommodation? I know the rent starts in July but I’m thinking DD will probably be working at home somewhere until term starts. Is that the norm?

Years not year’s

Benjispruce it depends. At same university my sons contract in-house began a week after he had to move out of halls 😡😡😡but his girlfriends didn’t start until the week before they went back in September.

Her rent starts in July but just wondering when they start to move in.

LaBelleSauvage123 hello, for Newcastle there is a strict day you go up, in fact they used eventbrite to ensure we picked a 30 min time slot. Within that 30 min time slot we had 5 mins to unload the car and Dh parked up somewhere else, whilst I and the helpers (2nd/3rd years) helped to cart stuff to the flat. It was all done with military precision.
Overseas students arrived several days before. Parkview (U.K.) students were staggered over a few days. We were last in the Sunday freshers started.

LaBelleSauvage123 bold fail (see above)

DS has just stated a desperate need for Febreze.

Don't know about anyone else but I can only think of three reasons why. None good. All related to bodily functions....