Page 12 | Annnddd they're off! Uni Starters 2023 Thread.

Titsywoo · 2023-09-02T09:55:23+00:00

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 😬

Delphigirl · 09/09/2023 15:00

One packet of those lasts them an academic year and the pack is do small they just can leave it at the bottom of their laundry bag so they don’t forget it.

Seeline · 09/09/2023 15:49

Technically they need a TV licence if watching iPlayer or and live TV eg sky sports, prime sport etc. However, if they are watching on a device that is running off its own battery eg a laptop that is not charging etc) AND their home address has a license they are ok. They will get bombarded by letters from TV licencing regardless.

watcherintherye · 09/09/2023 16:10

In the end the iPlayer just asks you if you have a licence but I don't think they have a way of checking do they?

I’m hoping not!

Thanks for the info @Seeline

Fourcandlesx · 09/09/2023 16:19

As @Seeline says, they do get quite a few TV licencing letters and they are quite threatening too. Not nice for an 18 year old living in their own for the first time. There is usually a thread on here about it a few weeks in!

Tabbytabs · 09/09/2023 16:29

I doubt very many students at all watch live tv and unless they’ve got a games console most of them won’t even bother taking a tv. Dd isn’t taking hers, she’ll just watch Netflix/prime on her laptop. I’ve told her to just ignore any tv licence letters.

Plasmodesmata · 09/09/2023 17:18

I think we'll take some store cupboard stuff with us - am imagining that the supermarkets nearest to universities on moving-in-weekend are likely to be a bit busy.

MumblesParty · 09/09/2023 17:53

OK stupid question, but are people’s kids taking files and paper and stuff, or is everyone done on screens these days?

WednesdaysPlaits · 09/09/2023 17:56

MumblesParty · 09/09/2023 17:53

OK stupid question, but are people’s kids taking files and paper and stuff, or is everyone done on screens these days?

Ds is taking lever arch files, pads, pens etc

Penelope1703 · 09/09/2023 18:12

Z0rr0 · 09/09/2023 13:07

One week today til DD moves to Bristol and it's the first time I'm struggling quite a bit. I know we'll all be fine but it's such a big change to adapt to. Really feeling it today.

DS is off to Bristol too. I was excited. Today mostly sad. It'll be ok though. Circle of life and all that. He moves in on Friday 15th.

NotDonna · 09/09/2023 21:45

@tribpot the laundry strips look great! BUT If you’ve reviewed them online you may need to check that your full name & full address isn’t posted on their website like everyone else. I’ve emailed the company to let them know that this is a breach of privacy.

sammyjoanne · 09/09/2023 23:11

@MumblesParty daughters emptied all her files from sixth form and will be using those. Also got some note pads. Pens shes collected over the years so we had a big sort out.

Daughters off to Cardiff to see her b/f for 5 days, then shes back friday, and off to uni Sunday 17th (Reading)

IWillNoLie · 10/09/2023 00:27

That is us dropped off today. Big car load of stuff. His room is small so we picked up some under-bed storage fabric box things from IKEA once we got there as storage was limited. We also brought home some of the boxes/bags we took things down in - we will have to remember to take them with us when we pick him up at the end of the year! No coat hangers so we picked some of those up from IKEA too as we were there but that isn’t a great place to get coathangers as relatively expensive wooden ones (I was expecting 20 for a pound plastic ones).

We went supermarket shopping yesterday and bought enough food for about five days including a couple of ready meals (though I forgot about some of the fresh stuff and left it in our fridge). So he doesn’t need to stress about finding a good food shop immediately.

Back home now and feeling a bit weird about the ds shaped space in our home.

tribpot · 10/09/2023 06:48

@NotDonna that's a good spot - why on earth would they publish full addresses?? I haven't reviewed them fortunately. You can buy these laundry strips in Sainsbos (or poss Waitrose) so no need to hand over personal details to Truearth.

@IWillNoLie hope you don't find today too difficult as your first day without DS. I am very aware that this time next week I'll be waking up at home for the first time without him (he's been away with school before but a long time ago and we found it very hard). I'm thinking about maybe saving up the Barbie movie to watch next Sunday to cheer me up. Have you got anything planned to take your mind off it?

IWillNoLie · 10/09/2023 07:22

tribpot I have another one still at home which will help. But also ds left a trail behind him as he sorted stuff for packing so next few days will be tidying. Including his room. Dd also needs her room redecorating so will probably move into ds room to enable us to do that.

Also had quite a few WhatsApp messages from ds last night re minor domestic queries. I am sure he didn’t need to input - more just seeking reassurance.

BabyStopCryin · 10/09/2023 08:57

Last Sunday brekkie before he goes off. Pancakes, bagels and home made jam.

I know he is excited and it’s an amazing time of your life (the optimism, the dreams, the excitement!). The ‘university experience’ certainly isn’t anything like when I was his age, but then we didn’t have course fees and there were student grants!

IWillNoLie · 10/09/2023 12:22

Postal arrangements seem quite complicate. Post seems to get delayed a day at a central hub before delivery to their halls and the hub only accepts Royal Mail. It suggests other parcels need to be delivered to room or flat by courier. If the courier can gain access to their corridor that sounds a bit of a security issue 🤔. The hub has Amazon lockers which I’ve had to use this morning for something he forgot but they sound more straightforward.

YellowWindmill · 10/09/2023 13:20

@tribpot @Tabbytabs
I feel so much better now DS can cook! Hopefully he will keep up with the batch cooking and not resort to pasta every day like your daughter Tabbytabs!
He is really not keen on shopping but will have to get used to it! I'll tell him to go at the end of the day so he can pick up the special offers.
I asked him how he would carry stuff back (no car) and he said he'd just take a back pack. When I was in Lidl yesterday I saw some big backpacks with wheels which would be ideal ( though not sure if he would be seen to use one).

YellowWindmill · 10/09/2023 13:27

IWillNoLie · 10/09/2023 00:27

That is us dropped off today. Big car load of stuff. His room is small so we picked up some under-bed storage fabric box things from IKEA once we got there as storage was limited. We also brought home some of the boxes/bags we took things down in - we will have to remember to take them with us when we pick him up at the end of the year! No coat hangers so we picked some of those up from IKEA too as we were there but that isn’t a great place to get coathangers as relatively expensive wooden ones (I was expecting 20 for a pound plastic ones).

We went supermarket shopping yesterday and bought enough food for about five days including a couple of ready meals (though I forgot about some of the fresh stuff and left it in our fridge). So he doesn’t need to stress about finding a good food shop immediately.

Back home now and feeling a bit weird about the ds shaped space in our home.

I might put DS clothes on coat hangers beforehand as it's something I'll forget! Must remember the electric toothbrush charger too!
Yes come next weekend there will also be a big DS shaped hole... I've been okay but now it's getting closer I feel a kind of ache in my stomach. Single parent and empty nester. Definitely need to plan something in for next weekend.

Tabbytabs · 10/09/2023 14:28

YellowWindmill · 10/09/2023 13:20

@tribpot @Tabbytabs
I feel so much better now DS can cook! Hopefully he will keep up with the batch cooking and not resort to pasta every day like your daughter Tabbytabs!
He is really not keen on shopping but will have to get used to it! I'll tell him to go at the end of the day so he can pick up the special offers.
I asked him how he would carry stuff back (no car) and he said he'd just take a back pack. When I was in Lidl yesterday I saw some big backpacks with wheels which would be ideal ( though not sure if he would be seen to use one).

Dd has a Costco card and a Booker card, so she can go there for cheap booze and massive packs of loo roll 🤣 We’ve already worked out where the cheap food shops (Farmfoods and Heron) are and how to get to them, so hopefully she might actually cook some real food and not eat pasta all the time. She is perfectly capable, but lazy!

DrMadelineMaxwell · 10/09/2023 16:02

The hall is now full of her stuff ready for Sat and she has suitcases in her room to put clothes in.

We have dug out her passport and they also specified passport photos so found the ones we have taken for her provisional license as her actual passport ones were too long ago.

She knows that the people in her flat who have been on the chat groups aren't moving in until the week later but is still happy to go next week and get settled.

Susiesue61 · 10/09/2023 20:30

Hope it's ok for me to join!
DS2 is going on the 19 th to Sheffield. He has already been too laidback about booking a slot, so his kind sister is taking him 2 days later than planned 😠 it dos mean he has to come to my mum's for her 80th though!
I'm assuming it won't matter if they're 2 days into freshers when he gets there? He's my 3rd to go, but DS1 went locally and didn't move out until 2nd year, and DD again went locally and struggled, then changed course and is now living at home and about to start second year.
He will be 1.5 hours away and he is in love with his girlfriend so not sure how often he'll want to come back to see her! I feel really nervous, he doesn't seem to be at all 😂

FriendlyLaundryMonster · 10/09/2023 21:21

@Aurea That looks like a lovely drive to Uni. Good luck to your DS!

Delphigirl · 10/09/2023 21:25

Susiesue61 · 10/09/2023 20:30

Hope it's ok for me to join!
DS2 is going on the 19 th to Sheffield. He has already been too laidback about booking a slot, so his kind sister is taking him 2 days later than planned 😠 it dos mean he has to come to my mum's for her 80th though!
I'm assuming it won't matter if they're 2 days into freshers when he gets there? He's my 3rd to go, but DS1 went locally and didn't move out until 2nd year, and DD again went locally and struggled, then changed course and is now living at home and about to start second year.
He will be 1.5 hours away and he is in love with his girlfriend so not sure how often he'll want to come back to see her! I feel really nervous, he doesn't seem to be at all 😂

Hi @Susiesue61
tbh lots of people find freshers week (which is really 10 days including weekends) all a bit much and a bit long so coming in 2 days later is probably a good thing! Sheffield is a v friendly place, I’m sure he will be fine.

Allloveisbeautiful · 10/09/2023 21:56

We have opened Nationwide FlexStudent account today. You get £100 if you pay in £500 by December I believe….

IWillNoLie · 10/09/2023 22:03

Allloveisbeautiful · 10/09/2023 21:56

We have opened Nationwide FlexStudent account today. You get £100 if you pay in £500 by December I believe….

My ds is only 17 so still has a children’s account as student ones require you to be 18.