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Original poster

Annnddd they're off! Uni Starters 2023 Thread.

1000 replies

Titsywoo · 02/09/2023 10:55

Hi all,

I thought I'd start a different thread as the Alevels and beyond one is more geared to remarks and clearing at this point so didn't want to start derailing that with chat off packing and freshers week.

How is everyone getting on with helping their DC prepare and the idea that soon they will be moving away?

My DD is off to Cardiff to read psychology so will be about 3.5 hours drive away. I'm both nervous and excited for her right now! Packing is going well - pretty much all stuff has been bought and the induction pan set should arrive today. There is a large pile on the landing which keeps growing as we think of extra bits.

Due to a very lucky spot by me when scrolling Tiktok DD has found and been added to the Cardiff Psychology year 1 snapchat group. From that she got chatting to some others who aren't massively into drinking or clubbing and they have another chat for people who want to do other things than clubbing. They are organising meeting for some of the SU 'Give it a go' events such as an escape room and Ikea trip! Dd has also persuaded a couple of people to join the Hookers society with her (for crocheting! 😄).

Dd had a terrible time with bullying and social isolation from year 5 till the end of sixth form so I am praying this is the new start where she finally finds her tribe 🤞🙏

Looking forward to hearing how everyone's DC is getting on and how the first few weeks are for them. Not long to go now! DD leaves in 20 days 😬

OP posts:
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11
WednesdaysPlaits · 08/09/2023 16:56

We are topping ds up to the maximum loan. That means he will have £125 a week to live off after rent has been paid.

43ontherocksporfavor · 08/09/2023 16:58

Ah I see. I didn’t know that, thank you. Every day is a school day.

Plasmodesmata · 08/09/2023 17:03

we're paying the accommodation bills which is more than our top up would be. Can't afford to give him money on top but he can use the rest of the maintenance loan, plus CTF. If that's not enough he'll have to get a job as we can't afford more.

Delphigirl · 08/09/2023 18:37

WednesdaysPlaits · 08/09/2023 16:56

We are topping ds up to the maximum loan. That means he will have £125 a week to live off after rent has been paid.

Same as my £600 a month so it’s reassuring to see this is about the right ballpark

Stroopwaffels · 08/09/2023 18:40

Aurea · 08/09/2023 16:50

In Scotland you have a year's less schooling. You start school six months later and finish six months earlier than in England.

Many students are still 17 when they arrive at university; some are 17 right up until the end of the February of their first year. That is why Scottish undergrad degrees are typically four years rather than the three in England.

And this is why Scottish degree courses are typically 4 years not 3.

Stroopwaffels · 08/09/2023 18:40

Although you can go into start at 2nd year if you are older. Bit more flexible! DD is very glad she was 18 a fortnight ago.

Unmute · 08/09/2023 19:20

I left ds in halls today. It's a flat of 5, only 4 there so far and 3 have gone out with parents so ds is alone this evening. I think he's quite happy just unpacking and getting used to the place, so I'm trying not to worry!

toomuchlaundry · 08/09/2023 19:34

DS went up yesterday, there are 9 flats in his hall. One student had arrived the day before so was all on his own, another arrived yesterday and the three of them bonded over tea and biscuits whilst DH unpacked DS’s room! Don’t know if more arrived today

HappySonHappyMum · 08/09/2023 23:10

It's really hit home tonight - had some correspondence through from accommodation today. Drop of between 9 and 3, mandatory accommodation meeting for all freshers between 4 and 5:15, then a welcome meal at the uni from 5:45 straight after. That means we've got to be gone by 4 at the latest. It's reminded me that we've got to leave her and I'm trying not to cry in front of my DD. I've been so focussed on getting her organised I've tried not to think about the leaving bit at the end, but there's one 15 days until she's gone 😭

L1ttledrummergirl · 09/09/2023 00:33

We are topping dd up by £25 a week, so she will have roughly £61.27 a week. She will have her car there and needs to drive back for training 3.times a week, so realistically will have around £30 after petrol.

Motheranddaughter · 09/09/2023 05:24

We pay accommodation and £400 a month
Also pay for phone and other bits and bobs we currently pay
Taking DS today,feeling very positive about it but we have already been through it with DD

Whiskeyinthejaroh · 09/09/2023 07:01

Can I join? DS1 is off to Sheffield next week.

It's been a busy summer, so we are spending today getting all the things he needs for uni. He's found some of his flatmates online, and they've all worked out what they need for the flat - stuff like toaster, kettle etc, and they're each bringing something. DS's thing to bring is an iron - easy enough.

I'm very excited for DS, and proud of him, but I know I will probably cry the whole way home after dropping him off! Silly really, as he's only 2 hours away, and I'll see him the next week for a big family party! His younger brother (9) has cried about him leaving so that probably isn't helping 😀

Okay, off to order command hooks now. Anything else we wouldn't have thought of?

Allloveisbeautiful · 09/09/2023 07:39

For the self caterers are you going to do a ‘big supermarket shop’ at the start of term? I’ve heard some people do this and maybe top it up halfway through? Nottingham don’t finish until mid December so it’s a long term!
In terms of other stuff I think we’ll be buying as little as possible as have quite a bit of stuff at home already.

Whiskeyinthejaroh · 09/09/2023 08:09

I never thought of a food shop... see this is why I need to go back and read this whole thread.

Thinking about it now, we'll probably go and get food for his first week and some staples like oil, condiments, etc.

Might consider paying him to eat the odd fruit or vegetable, as I imagine he'll live off pizza and cheesy pasta.

lastdayatschool · 09/09/2023 08:18

We were going to go off and do a food shop once we'd dropped off at halls next Saturday afternoon - rather than transporting food overnight/length of country.

But then someone pointed out that once you'd done drop off, you can't park near halls again, so any shopping you do locally has to then be carried from wherever you are able to park.

Consequently, now having 2nd thoughts and may buy most food - dry, non perishable etc in advance and just do a small shop for fresh/freezer stuff post drop off

Unmute · 09/09/2023 08:36

I didn't do a food shop when I left ds. He wanted to wait and see if his flatmates would share a few things (maybe oil, salt and pepper, tea, coffee, that kind of thing).

I'm going to send him some of these frozen meals this week though, https://allplants.com/, so he won't starve.

allplants | Chef-made meals delivered | Shop delicious, nutritious vegan meals

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TalkedTooMuchStayedTooLong · 09/09/2023 09:13

I did a food shop before driving home... just set him up with basics and about a weeks worth of food...and he also has a Sainsbury's gift card which will take care of next one...

TalkedTooMuchStayedTooLong · 09/09/2023 09:14

As we were amongst the first wave moving in parking wasn't an issue,,,

Delphigirl · 09/09/2023 09:19

Allloveisbeautiful · 09/09/2023 07:39

For the self caterers are you going to do a ‘big supermarket shop’ at the start of term? I’ve heard some people do this and maybe top it up halfway through? Nottingham don’t finish until mid December so it’s a long term!
In terms of other stuff I think we’ll be buying as little as possible as have quite a bit of stuff at home already.

Yes we always take them down, settle them into their room (inasmuch as make the bed, I leave the rest to them) and then go to the nearest big supermarket, having seen how much fridge cupboard and freezer space they have. I do a big shop including lots of easy frozen food for late night cooking eg massive bag of fish fingers, massive bag of gyoza - but also big thing of ketchup, olive oil, washing powder, big lump of cheddar. ie pricy stuff.

toomuchlaundry · 09/09/2023 09:25

@lastdayatschool we included a few store cupboard items in the bags we took in the car. But we didn’t take too much as remember they don’t have much storage space in the kitchen for food. Normally one over the counter cupboard and a shelf in the fridge (and if you are lucky a drawer in the freezer). So even if you are planning to do a food shop when you are there you won’t be carting too much from the shop to their flat.

tribpot · 09/09/2023 09:29

I'm staying overnight and planning to do a big supermarket shop (as big as space allows, anyway) very early the following morning, before the morning slots for arrival are open. I'm hoping this means I'll be allowed to park at least in the overflow car park but I guess time will tell.

Motheranddaughter · 09/09/2023 09:29

Spoke to my DS about doing a big shop but he really wasn’t keen
Seems to be about starting out on his own from scratch
We have a late slot today so plenty of time to do a shop if he changes his mind

HicIocusEst · 09/09/2023 09:29

Allloveisbeautiful · 09/09/2023 07:39

For the self caterers are you going to do a ‘big supermarket shop’ at the start of term? I’ve heard some people do this and maybe top it up halfway through? Nottingham don’t finish until mid December so it’s a long term!
In terms of other stuff I think we’ll be buying as little as possible as have quite a bit of stuff at home already.

Have you checked the kitchen space? Communal kitchens don't have that much storage from what we can see. Apparently DD gets one (labelled with room number) cupboard, and half a freezer drawer. The cupboard has to contain food and utensils.

We are dropping off and then doing a click and collect for a couple of days of food.

Tabbytabs · 09/09/2023 09:30

I have been buying food for dd (tins of beans, pesto, dried fruit) when I see it on offer. I know she’s going to live on pesto pasta. I will take her shopping when we get there and possibly go to Costco too. She has Franks buffalo sauce on everything, so she’ll need the massive bottles from Costco! I don’t know whether to batch cook her some of her fave food and freeze it to take with her. It’s difficult because I’m not sure how much freezer space she’ll have.

YellowWindmill · 09/09/2023 09:31

Allloveisbeautiful · 09/09/2023 07:39

For the self caterers are you going to do a ‘big supermarket shop’ at the start of term? I’ve heard some people do this and maybe top it up halfway through? Nottingham don’t finish until mid December so it’s a long term!
In terms of other stuff I think we’ll be buying as little as possible as have quite a bit of stuff at home already.

I've bought cupboard essentials already, stuff like oil, spices, large bags of rice and pasta, tins of tuna, sweetcorn, mayo, ketchup, stir in pasta sauce.
DS wants to cook before he goes and take a few individual pots of his chilli and chow mein for the freezer. Figured he won't have to worry too much about meals until he's settled.
His uni room is quite spacious so will be able to store a lot in there.

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