DD1 starting uni in September - what will she need?

[NorthernNell]

DD1 failed to get any offers for uni so we had resigned ourselves to a gap year and reapplying for the next acedemic year,she got 5Bs so took a shot at clearing and she is now going to be starting Liverpool Uni in september - we are all thrilled but I am now in a flat spin, haven't had to think about this at all, now I don't know what she'll need - she's decided on catered halls so at least the full dinnerservice and cutlery etc is not going to have to trog over the Pennines, but what about an iron? or an ironing board? - will she manage without a lap top or should we try and get one staight away? ARGH!

Any advice from someone who has done this would be appreciated! I don't know anyone whose DC has gone to uniand I could ask.

[PleaseDeleteMeLetmeGo]

Oh good idea about underbed storage boxes NN.

ds has done his account online with Natwest as you get a free 4GB USB stick as well as the Railcard.

[RustyBear]

Do you know how high the bed is?
Memories of fishing round under DD's for odd socks when helping her finish packing at the end of last year makes me wonder if there would be enough clearance for an underbed box.

[Milliways]

Great Thread - Thanks! "Watching" this one as I too have no real idea, but agree with Rusty as DD has joined a facebook group for her college and hopes to avoid 20 irons and no kettle.

[fluffles]

she will benefit from a laptop but apart from that in my opinion she'll just need clothes, music and nice personal stuff (fav. duvet, fav. mug etc) everything else she can pick up at super cheap freshers sales or pound shops if she finds out she needs it.

[waitingforbedtime]

Have only skim read so apologies if repeating......

music player
lots of towels
bed linen
some wine glasses
mugs
essentials box - washing powder, loo roll, tea, cordial, biscuits (defo essential!), pasta, etc etc
lightbulbs
nice pjs, dressing gown and slippers (v useful after heavy night!)
dvds
lamp
photos and photoframes
camera
if you were feeling v generous you could set up an account or buy a book voucher for her to help towards books
map of liverpool

I was in student flats not catered halls though.

[pasturesnew]

2 corkscrews, one to lend out and one to keep - good for making friends

[pasturesnew]

That list from The Student Room is quite odd, it is almost like a wedding list, no way would anyone be able to fit all of that in a room in halls!

I am not a complete alcholic, honest, but will also suggest a cocktail shaker for popularity reasons.

[pasturesnew]

Also if at Liverpool Uni not sure how the town/gown thing breaks down but generally in Liverpool people dress up a lot more for going out, so would prioritise party clothes a bit more than in, say, Durham.

[bluejellybean]

Comdoms and asprin?!

[maize]

Def slippers!

I would scout out where the nearest Tescos/Asda/Dunelm Mill is before you go, then assess the room and go out to stock up. Some halls are teeny tiny and some are gigantic and bland.

Obv things like plates, cutlery, stationary, wash stuff can be bought in advance but for soft furnishings to make the room look nice that can depend on the size and style of the room.

[MayorNaze]

ooh i was at uni in liverpool! def going out clothes, but on a more serious note - insure absoutely everything or check that it is covered by halls - please don't jump on me scousers, i did have a fab time in liverpool but i was also burgled twice and had my bag nicked from outside an exam hall

she will have a wonderful time, liverpool is great for students

[mumeeee]

I also agree with Rusty. DD2 has joined also joined a facebook group for students of her course and a couple of girls she met at the audition are going to be in her halls. She wil definatly need a laptop as DD1 found that it was sometimes very difficult to get onto the uni computers. DD2 will be taking her favorite cudly toy. A very battered knitted snowman!
Don't get a lot of big kitchen stuff as when DD1 went she was advised to wait and see wht other students had bought and then club together for stuff they neded. I just sent her with a basic crokery,cutlery and cooking utensil set. So I'll do the same for DD2 and I will alsoset her up with a basic food box.
I agree with MayorNaze definetly get her to sort out insurance for her room and stuff.
DD2 has also ben sent a reading list and so has to get some books before she goes.

[tickfeckingtock]

Had some more ideas.

Big cushions for along the bed so it is comfier to sit on with newly made pals.

Def space under bed before going for boxes, great idea for storgae though, most beds where I have stayed have quite a bit of space though.

Dep on type and state of mattress she might like a matress topper from the likes of Ikea, def one to sus out first though.

Most of the stuff on that list actually makes sense.

Like permenent marker to put name on everything, don't go too mad marking your groceries in the first week as you will be singled out as an anal non sharer .

Drawing pins, most uni rooms have a big cork board above the desk. take blu tack though for rest of room.

Often there is no bedside table and an evil overhead strip light to read in bed, so a plastic drawer unit and a bedside lamp make all the difference.

Bike might be an idea, don't know about Liverpool though, as in where everything is wasn't thinking about how likly it is to be nicked. But it is a cheap and easy way to get around. Apparently very popular in StAndrews for students (well maybe umpteen year ago .

[NorthernNell]

Thanks everyone!

Have calmed down a little now after first 'ARGH' - I don't do last minute and unplanned this is well outside my comfort zone! Am calming myself down by writting lists and breaking jobs down.

Am going for basic to take with her, bedding, towels, clothes, teddy,alchol + choccy cake,and then anything else she deems essential when we get there we'll shop for!

Luckily they will get well fed, so will sort a snacky box for her for late night munchies - but at least we aren't going to be going to the cash-and-carry for catering size bags of pasta!

Just have to sort said accomodation out and try and find all the bits of paper needed for finance! For someone who has a holiday packed for and itinarary(sp!) sorted weeks in advance this is soo hard! We are going for a look round on Friday, but they can't let us into halls so will just be around the campus, will take a wander round where the halls are to get a feel for the place, find out where Tescos' etc are!

[RustyBear]

You will need to get started on the finance thing pretty quickly if you hadn't been expecting DD to go. Our LEA says allow 6 weeks, though in fact we got DD's 2nd year assessment back in three, despite (or perhaps because) being two months late.

Student Finance page for parents here.

The other thing to remember is that if the university has a Freshers' week which takes place before the official start of term, your DD won't actually get her loan till term starts - the Hall shouldn't expect the accommodation fees to be paid till term starts, but you may need to subsidise DD a bit for that week for other stuff.

[NorthernNell]

Rusty - am trying to work out the forms for finance as I type! As if I haven't shed enough tears this week!

Did speak to a very nice man from the help line who did suggest the uni may be a little leniant about when fees were paid knowing that the money would be forthcoming - if not Nanna has offered a loan.

Once she has decided which Halls she is going to apply for there is a Facebook thingy she can join.

[mumeeee]

NorthernNell. Students can sometimes get a litle bit of advanced money from thier student loan if it is not going to be completed on time. DD2 applied for her laon at the end of May and it was confirmed that she had been succesful by the end of June.
She now has a letter saying when it will be going into her account.

[Dominique07]

When I went to uni I
did not have a laptop (decided I needed for 2nd yr but lots of students cope without)
or TV (was more sociable to go to common room and fight over remote control)
or a radio (got one for 2nd yr to drown out noisy neighbours or for when feeling lonely, and to listen to the news)

DID take a mobile phone,
clothes,
shoes,

WOULD HAVE LOVED mum to treat me to; some nice accessories for bedroom girly cushions to go on bed/cosy clothes like a nice bathrobe,
storage solutions (IKEA?) for tidying bedroom,
cutlery and crockery for at least making some lunches at the weekends and for guests,

[Dominique07]

oh yes condoms reminds me,
a friend's mum put on the wall a framed condom and a message "to be used in emergency"
except one day her flatmate BROKE the glass and used it!!! Very embarassing for my friend, and annoying! So remember that nice stuff may not be entirely respected by some flatmates.

[MrsGladpuss]

Nice cosy (but easily washable) blanket. I still have mine and used it to wrap up warm after DS was born!

Boring but essential things...

Get your home insurer to add you daughter onto your policy. Student halls are notorious for things going walk about and it's best to be covered. If your policy won't add her on (or if they want a ridiculous amount of money) try Saxon or Endsleigh.

If she has a bike you may need to get that covered separately.

Don't forget cover away from home for mobiles etc. Don't let her get separate insurance it's a waste of good beer money!

Make sure she's got a suitable bank account to have her loan paid into (and for you to top up easily in an emergency).

Mobile phone top ups. Or offer a regular top up, say monthly.

Nice toiletries and tampons.