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

What are your dc transporting their clothes in?

@bendmeoverbackwards I was thinking a suitcase? So they can bring it home full of dirty clothes at Christmas?

@bendmeoverbackwards, plan is for clothes to go in the big suitcase but vac packed to get more in. He seems to be planning to take everything he owns. Conversation about limited storage in halls will be had.
We will bring the empty big suitcase back with us.

Yes I was worrying about storing a big suitcase unless they unpack it and we bring the case home?

That’s my plan bend. It might have to be a quick unpack but there’s no way and no need for him to store it.
I’m stressing cos we are staying in a premier inn the night before that doesn’t have a car park! And there was me feeling all organised. So we need to leave the car in an ncp car park nearby. This means we probably need to pack it so it doesn’t look ‘full of stuff’ and therefore probably need to take some stuff into the hotel with us. Big suitcase on wheels therefore makes sense. Big valuables such as laptop / keyboard (music not computer) etc. will also need to come in with us.
Arghh. It’s only bloody Tuesday and I’m stressed.

@Stillcrikey I got stressed just leaving our fully packed car in the packed car park at the Services on our way to uni. 🤷‍♀️
But I’m sure you won’t be the only one using the overnight car park. Do you have a morning drop off slot?

Re suitcases, we found the suitcase on wheels was perfect for taking up to DDs room, but there was no room to store it, and we brought it home the following day.
@BigWoollyJumpers recommended some large storage bags which were a perfect size for packing most things (including clothes) and had the advantage that the empty bags can be stored under the bed. In the end we did a mix and match, so bags and suitcase!

DD seems to be settling in well, her flat all seem to be getting along and they’ve been out partying together. However apart from joining the gym, I’m not sure how much DD is getting involved in other clubs/socs. She was intending to go to some taster sessions, but she hasn’t commented on them since.
I’m hoping she will call for a catch up today as I know she had a few things on yesterday.

BWJ - lovely to read your update, your DD seems to be settling in really well, aside from the cut finger!

@olliepolly it’s great that your DS has completed the referral forms and will accept that he needs some extra support to help him get the most from his university experience. I hope help can be set up quickly for him.

Hope the week is going well for everyone.

It's so nice to hear about dc's settling in to Uni! My ds is very uncommunicative when he's out of sight so I can't imagine I will get much info .

Just thinking ahead to Christmas holidays, will your dcs just use their rucksacks to come home? My ds will take the train home, so maybe my plan of leaving him with a suitcase is not a good one . I wasn't thinking of him needing to store it somewhere...doh.

On suitcases, DD took a big one, a small one, two big laundry bags and two plastic rigid storage boxes. Very lucky she has a double bed with space under, so it all goes under there. She will bring the bigger suitcase back for Xmas to do swap of clothes and accommodate big jumpers and coats on the return journey. If she pops back in reading week she will bring the small suitcase. All on the train.

Thanks @BigWoollyJumpers! I think ds will only have a single bed, so I think we'll just have to play it by ear on drop-off once we see the storage space.

Slightly funny how we all get a bit stressed about things, like what to pack and what bags&suitcases etc ( me included!).
For both dc we used a suitcase at moving in, but took it back with us afterwards. For reading week etc DC1 just uses a sports hold all (or whetever they are called) sand a small backpack.. DC2 has no space underneath the bed anyway

Thanks @Notagardener - I am a self-confessed control freak about packing and planning, and I am very envious of those who can just leave it to their children or spouses to do their own thing!

Ha, wel not least because of what I read in the past on MN I had it all planned beforehand how to to the unloading. DC would put things away in the kitchen (and chat with whoever might be in the kitchen), while I would make the bed. DH would take control of the car (London).
Obviously DC was then not happy with my choice of bedding (old one rather than the new one, AND which she would have seen considering she was in the car sitting NEXT to the duvet with the old one on already)

Glad to hear that the Exeter crowd are all finding their feet. My DD has thrown herself into partying with her flatmates and has been getting home at silly o clock! Apparently the boys have been up to East Park a lot as they have a pool table.

For packing my DD took a large holder on wheels for clothes which fits neatly on the top of the wardrobe and another large rucksack for coming home at the weekends. All kitchen/bedding/toiletries were packed in large plastic laundry bags that zipped up. I bought four of them from my local home store for £3 each. The fold down nicely and are stored under the bed. I think chopc may have posted a link sometime ago. All packed neatly in the car but we didn't have room for the clothes horse so bought another when we arrived.

Good luck to everyone leaving this weekend.

One thing my DD was very impressed with was that all the boys in her flat, who all sound lovely, cooked and after eating immediately washed up and put everything away. My DD would have hated a messy kitchen.

I told my DD that their parents have taught them well!

DD has just told me they've had 3 fire alarms since last night - 8pm, 3am and 10am (East Park)!
Should I be worried that it was only the 10am one which woke her?

Oh Avocado, that made me laugh

@AvocadoPlant Apparently the fire alarms went off twice in Lafrowda last night too.

Radio silence now from DS which is what I expected, DH and I both feel we need to give him space.
Both his sisters messaged him with no response ( that makes me cross)

Another Exeter drop off on Sunday here. Initial moving in seemed to go OK - DS met and was chatting to flatmates and drinking beer with them by the time we left. We stayed over locally and saw him briefly the next day to take him a few extra bits he needed and he was having a bit of an emotional wobble, but he was hungry and tired and texted us later to say sorry if he worried us - it's all just a bit overwhelming (think he'd been up clubbing til 2 am too!)
He's got into things OK I think - seems to be going to Freshers clubs and events and doing stuff with his flatmates, fingers crossed it will all be OK. His very good friend from school who is in 2nd Year arrives on Saturday too, so that will give him a lift too I'm sure.

The 'FOMO' obsession with Freshers club nights etc is definitely unhelpful/unhealthy though - part of DS's wobble was because he hadn't managed to get tickets in advance, and it seems many were in the same boat - the Freshers FB was awash with students trying to buy/ sell/swap tickets for over-priced, sweaty, poorly-ventilated, covid-infested warehouses . Thank god DS had covid recently - I'm sure half the campus will be isolating next week!

@olliepolly I know it's hard. Unfortunately this may be the way it's going to be

Hey all, brilliant to hear for everyone who has already dropped off dcs that they are starting to settle in.

@BigWoollyJumpers sounds like your DD is doing really well - how are you?

@chopc your post about your DS's phone made me smile as DS DID THE EXACT SAME THING going in the sea with his phone in the pocket of his swim shorts 🤦🏼‍♀️. Has he been reunited with his phone?

@ChimneyPot how's your DD doing?

Ds's school mate got his accommodation finally. Southside, South Kensington. Typical. However DS seems chilled about it, DH has sold the benefits of Kemp Porter hard and I pointed out at least he has a floor to crash on now 😁.

He's been out loads with his friends before they all leave for uni this weekend/next weekend- he'll be the last to go on the 2nd. It's not looking good for his driving test - just won't have had enough lessons we think, so trying to decide whether to give it a go or defer til Christmas.

@Pumpkintopf if you can afford the retest, definitely give it a go

No luck with the phone. He got himself a new one albeit older model. I stayed out of it ......

@chopc I think you're right.

Also well done you on staying out of the phone thing. It's hard isn't it, not to just jump in...

@JulesJules any chance you could ask your DD's friend what the mattresses are like in Kemp Porter? Wondering if I need to get DS a mattress topper 😁

@Pumpkintopf I'll ask DD to ask her friend!