Another path - now we have a map

[chopc]

Chopc - Durham-History
@jano69 -Durham -History
@OnTheBenchOfDoom -Durham - Natural Sciences
@Majaso12 -Imperial - don't know subject
@bendmeoverbackwards -Bristol- History
@Pumpkintopf -Imperial/Cambridge -Natural Sciences
@ChimneyPot -Brown (US) - ? Subject
@Stillcrikey -Bristol -MML
@Tenpastseven - Bristol -also modern languages?
@Longtimenewsee - Durham - Chemistry?
@MidLifeCrisis007 - Durham -History
@BigWoollyJumpers - Exeter- History
@SeasonFinale -Bristol- History

I've booked a night away as ds going to Durham which is more than 5 hours drive away for us. . I say go for it, stay somewhere nice and have someone else cook you dinner and breakfast!

We’ve also booked a night away. Shame to be so close to the coast and not visit (from Exeter).

@bendmeoverbackwards I’ve just returned from an afternoon shopping in Bath. It’s definitely much busier and more like normal than it was a few months ago. Visitors are coming back, and the shops are busier.
Definitely worth a night away!

@bendmeoverbackwards
I definitely think you should book a night in Bath. It’s so lovely and if your experience is anything like mine I was definitely surplus to requirements 30 minutes after DD moved in.

We have always booked a night away but honestly I think the whole population of the South East is staying off the A1 there’s not a room to be had. Not helped by the fact that we still don’t know if it’s Sat or Sun

@bendmeoverbackwards I can recommend The Queensberry Hotel in Bath

@bendmeoverbackwards.. I think a night away would be lovely for you both. You should treat yourselves.
@OnTheBenchOfDoom..eek @ spider!! Dd hates spiders.. So much so that’s shes taking spider catcher to uni.

[quote Peaseblossum22]@bendmeoverbackwards I can recommend The Queensberry Hotel in Bath[/quote]
Thanks @Peaseblossum22 unfortunately it’s booked ☹️

Hmmm finding a nice hotel that doesn’t cost hundreds on a Saturday night is proving difficult.

www.johnlewis.com/content/home/what-to-take-to-university-checklist

DT’s were in catered for the first year and then shared houses. We found the first year wasn’t too bad as to what they needed although it was surprising how quickly the car got filled up.

We used the John Lewis checklist as a guide and bought most of what they needed from their. The starter kits/basic ranges were good and most things lasted the three years.

Booked Henrietta House hotel in Bath. @Peaseblossum22 are you familiar with this hotel or anyone else who knows Bath?

Just a comment on door stops
Halls doors are always fire doors, so go with wedges. I have not found a stop that is heavy enough...
Most of our car will be filled with the pc and 2 monitors .......

We've bought new kitchen stuff for DS and I've been getting him to use it at home as I'm concerned he won't remember what is actually his once it all gets mixed up at uni!

Bit annoyed to discover that some of his stuff is better than ours, since ours is all a bit old now!
Have to say, I found buying kitchen knives really hard - out of stock in a lot of places and ordered some from Dunelm for collection, but when DS went to pick them up (I was waiting in the car) he came back empty-handed, saying that you had to prove you were over 25! So then I had to find a parking space and go in for them .

@bendmeoverbackwards I’m not but I’m sure it will be lovely. We had a very nice meal at Corkage when we were there and an excellent coffee at the Green Bird Cafe where the breakfast also looked good .

Thank you @Peaseblossum22

Is anyone else finding student finance admin stupidly complicated? Maybe it’s just me. Me and dh have been submitting stuff for our oldest dd who’s starting her second year, but we haven’t done anything for dd yet. Worried I’ve missed a deadline or something.

Yes!! I keep thinking we’ve missed something. DD is fed up of me asking her if she’s sure we don’t have to pay anything for accommodation yet, or whether SFE know she’s definitely accepted her place …

It all seems eerily quiet

@bendmeoverbackwards. I recall that it does go quiet with SFE once they’ve applied and had confirmation of the amount they’ll get ( your Dd has had this.. yes?)
That was the last communication that my dd had .. although she did sign back in to change her bank details to student account

Bend with multiple DC the applications are linked, so you only have to do the paperwork once, apart from the initial form agreeing to support their application.

Our issue has been doing an in year reassessment for DD, due to a big change in circumstances. She got nearly full loan last year after assessment. However due to one company not supplying the tax certificate in good time this summer we couldn't finalise the appeal yet. (It's for a very tiny amount but you have to have all the paperwork). So they assessed her as needing to repay the assessed amount from last year and both DD and DS2 only receiving minimum this year. DD is actually receiving nothing due to the repayment! Luckily we are ok enough until it does get sorted, company sent certificate after a complaint.

DS2's uni pile starts with a trombone and a euphonium! We sold our camper a couple of months ago, so handily the kitchen equipment from that has come in useful.

BigWoollyJumpers both my older DC have had rucksacks, (with laptop compartments) and DD is currently advising DS2 on which one to get.

Excellent news on rucksacks.... I just couldn't understand what on earth could be wrong with them!

DD is currently doing a sweep of the kitchen cupboards to add to the pile of new stuff. I have also asked her to clear down the half worn pile of clothes on her chair to get it washed and ironed in time. DH and she put the empty boxes and bags in the car yesterday, and it all fits . Also turns out her BF has way more pots/pans and kitchen crap than she has, so she can always borrow his if in need .

Exhausted!

Been today to TWO branches of Dunhelm, big Tesco's and Next and got caught in horrendous traffic on the North Circ. Back of my car is now a huge pile of pink fluff and fur Bought duvet, pillows, mattress topper, bedding, fluffy throw and cushions. Couldn't face Ikea today!

@raspberryrippleicecream thank you, dd says she did the initial application back in April and then got a letter saying how much she would get.

I didn't know the applications were linked if you have more than one child. What I can't understand is - does each person (ie the student and two parents (sponsors) have their own account on SFE? I tried to phone them the other day and was on hold for 45 mins! I gave up in the end.

@bendmeoverbackwards yes, you all have separate accounts. So in my house DH and I have separate accounts, and each of the three DC have had their own in turn. DH's and mine are totally separate, each with our own financial information on.

Adding to confirm the patents only need one account, you add each child you are supporting into the account every year when you get the email inviting you

OK, today's excitement is that we've discovered none of DS's suits still fit him! Hardly surprising really since it's 17 months since he last wore one for 6th form and he's been eating constantly working out and has grown since then.
Fortunately we have some hand me downs from his older brother which should be OK and I think I can find 1.5 inches in the back seam of his dinner jacket trousers which might be enough.The jacket was previously big, so now fits - phew!

@raspberryrippleicecream

Adding to confirm the patents only need one account, you add each child you are supporting into the account every year when you get the email inviting you

Am I missing something here? DH and I don't have SFE accounts - just DS has one? He is not claiming maintenance loan, does that make a difference?