University 2020 :8: Use the CAGs, don’t use the CAGs...

[MillicentMartha]

...if you can use the mocks, then use the mocks but not if they're higher than the CAGs.

And hopefully on to university!

Old thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3993327-University-2020-7-Results-tombola-roll-up-roll-up-pick-a-prize?pg=39

Dd had a couple of cases, two foldable crates, a lidded box of books, 2 ikea bags (bedding , towels etc and shoes) plus other small boxes. The crates and cases slide under the bed, although that is not always a free space in some halls.

..... Good thing he did not go by train!

We learnt the hard way with DS1 not to take a massive plastic box! This was his father's contribution to him starting uni and it was filled with store cupboard staples. It was huge and very heavy and took up loads of space in his wardrobe. At Christmas, I took it home and it now lives in my shed. I'd bought collapsible crates for him, but actually, they were small enough to be stored under his bed still set up, so he kept quite a bit of his store cupboard food in them.

For DS3 this year we have some collapsible crates, some fabric covered cardboard cubes and some blue Ikea bags and their big zipped bags for duvet/pillows etc. So the pretty cubes can either be folded down or put on shelves or in the wardrobe if space, the crates folded down or left up if they fit under the bed. He's also got two suitcases, a medium sized one for coming home at Christmas on the train and a cabin sized one in case he ever gets to go abroad, which fits inside the bigger one. I'm hoping they'll both fit under the bed.

I have about 10 plastic containers which actually are really useful whenever people move (or recently when I did about 25 trips to the council tip) and have lasted about 20 or 30 years so far but I have space in the garage for them. When the twins first went to university we used some of them to take the stuff in but then I brought them all home. I also just took back the ones my older son used when he moved into his new (proper) house. They are however bigger to store and I also use those cardboard boxes that store flat and we lawyers use for files which are also very useful for storage but again you would not want cluttering up a university room.

one of my sons took in second year the under bed wheeled wooden storage tray that goes under his bed at home which also fit at university

I remember taking an old-fashioned trunk to university. You can put a cloth on it and use it as a coffee table.

Only if your room isn't shoebox sized, tantamountto!

My son has almost the smallest room ever for him as of this week. It may be a bit bigger than the tiny room in Churchill Hall he was in in year 1 in Bristol, in a block they call "shanty" (as in Shanty Town albeit that he adored it and made his best friends despite the small rooms in his block). Not even a desk this year although he is sharing with one other in a flat and there is a table in the living room so I expect he will cope despite libraries all being closed.

DD went for the bag lady approach with everything in big shopping bags. DH who was doing the carrying said they were ideal as he could carry four at a time. He had her moved in and unpacked in 45 minutes,taking the bags away with him. She seems to have settled well. Really likes her flat mates and says that she thinks she might want to live in Edinburgh forever.

Moved dd into Edinburgh too with a mix of plastic boxes (fit under bed), medium and large laundry bags, cardboard boxes, a cabin case, pannier bag, 2 small rucksacks, a suit carrier for dance costumes/kilt roll, yoga mat, swords carried loose. And bike. Took a lot of trips but no time limit that we could discern. Has half unpacked, chatted to flat mates (all really nice) and relaxed a little.

We're heading off later to Devon. Staying over with a very good friend and moving DD into Exeter tomorrow. So glad I have a big car!!

Yes, a big car is useful. When I brought my son home from Bristol this summer as his twin (smaller car the twins share) could not, it was just as well. I have a volvo estate and you can put down the back seats and it is a bit like a small van. It was totally full. I could not even see out of the back as he had an easy chair from his bed room, a huge TV he had bought for the house to use and just about everything left over came into our car as "had more space". Anyway at least we got it all home. Yet when the twins went they had much less stuff than their older sisters took to university as in those days the girls had boxes of CDs never mind loads more clothes!

@tantamountto

I remember taking an old-fashioned trunk to university. You can put a cloth on it and use it as a coffee table.

I remember arriving at Bristol Uni in the 80s and you could spot all the ex-boarding school kids as they all had trunks with cloths thrown over them!

I had a trunk when I was at Durham. Few days after the beginning of term they were collected and then returned at the end of the year

Edinburgh have already removed take away food option from catered halls and outdoor seating due to "gatherings". Threat of suspension if caught in breach of rules. Could be counterproductive though as won't they just retreat indoors? Also limited capacity to eat in could generate queues.

@LIZS

Edinburgh have already removed take away food option from catered halls and outdoor seating due to "gatherings". Threat of suspension if caught in breach of rules. Could be counterproductive though as won't they just retreat indoors? Also limited capacity to eat in could generate queues.

Surely they need to rearrange those ridiculous exam-style single tables into restaurant-style groups of 6 then? (or whatever is appropriate in Scotland...)

You would hope so , if only to demonstrate some common sense and good will. SD not being enforced during fire drills though.

Fire overrides Covid apparently , we had an email from school about it !

We have had a nightmare. For some reason DD’s uni, UCL, hasn’t given her accommodation. So we have had to find her private accommodation today.
We have arranged for her to move to private halls in Kings Cross - this Sunday! I’m feeling overwhelmed.

My daughter went up to Edinburgh last weekend and is having a totally rubbish time. They have to eat at exam style tables in her hall, there are no club meet ups or activities (other than on Zoom) and the university is being strict about any groupings. She didn’t know anyone when she went and is now feeling really lonely and isolated. She’s a little shy but not painfully so and I feel desperate for her. She was so excited before she went.
How on earth do they think students will make friends?

I honestly think Edinburgh are going to see a huge number of dropouts. I feel so sad got your daughter @GaribaldiGirl - I hope she feels better and makes lovely friends really soon.

Oh that makes sorry reading @GaribaldiGirl. I don't understand how universities can disregard emotional well-being so easily. Hopefully she'll make friends soon.
DD off the Birmingham on Friday. She's going to be disappointed with the basic accommodation, no doubt but there are now 12 girls in her flat so what she's lost in bathrooms and fridge space she'll hopefully make up for in companionship. University has finally acknowledged she's registered on the wrong course and are working on putting it right, at least
Hoping for the best but planning for a few glum phone calls.
Really interested in how they're going to teach a lab based subject completely online. She hasn't seen her timetable yet as she's still registered on her clearing ( pre CAGs) choice. Again, hoping to be amazed but fearing she might be feeling short changed. There's a lot riding on the next few weeks

Dd2 has started lessons and been mixing with her flat and online meets with her course.
She’s now isolating but can still do it all, just needs people to bring food!

DD is having a better time in Edinburgh. In self catering uni flat so is in a "family" of 6 and has met up with some others with the same sporting hobby. Even had a face to face group meeting with her tutor today. She said that most of the uni social activities are booked up or cancelled but plenty open in the city. Restaurants and pubs loving groups of six who don't need to social distance from each other.

We're going to need another new thread soon! - only 27 posts to go...

Suggestions for thread titles?
First term: Bubbling up & settling down

@GaribaldiGirl that is so sad. The universities can be too clinical about this. I am annoyed that DS's hall have made no effort to create social opportunities for the bubbles - they should realise this year is different and do things to help them. I hope she finds her tribe soon. If you are stuff catered at least you can sort in your kitchen until someone comes along, if you are catered in an unsociable way it is really tough.