Share with Endsleigh Insurance your tips, experiences and thoughts about sending DCs off to uni - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

Going to university from home is a rite of passage that many young people go through. However, the practicality and emotion attached to DCs ‘leaving the nest’ can create scary and unexpected experiences for both parents and children; from the difficulty of fitting everything into the car (yes, bean bags and fairy light are essential!), to ‘empty nest syndrome’, and keeping in touch (whether that’s through occasional texts from DC to inform you they are still alive or via skype).

It can also be a very liberating experience for both parents and young people, especially after the stress of A Levels and concerns about getting a place.

Here’s what Endsleigh have to say: “We’re proud to remain the only insurance provider recommended by the NUS. Our range of policies insures what's important to students, from gadgets and contents to bikes and musical instruments, starting at university and into your professional life - hopefully taking away that particular concern. We'd love to hear how parents help their young people make this significant step"

Endsleigh Insurance, who specialise in insurance for students, want to hear your stories of dropping your DCs off at uni and your tips for how to not only survive but make the best of it. Whether your DC is already at university or is set to leave the nest this September, share your thoughts, concerns and top tips. Did your DCs ask you any amusing questions about living independently? What unexpected perks have you found from your DC moving out? How well do they or do you think they deal with cooking and washing for themselves? What was on the essential packing list? How did you deal with the emotion and how long did it take for you to stop laying the extra plate at the dinner table?

Please tell us about your experiences and tips you have for others below and you will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher from a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks & good luck!

MNHQ

Standard T&Cs apply

[freefan]

I feel that if any of our DC's want to go to University then we will support them all the way, so much easier now with skype, social media, mobile phones to keep in contact, almost like letting them spread their wings but in a very controlled safe way.

[ama6270]

Myself and my son are going through this at the moment, he is starting Uni this September. We have started to buy bits like deodorants soaps plates cups to name but a few, this will save money once he moves in. He has got himself a Saturday job which will be a great help. Also a great idea we are having a so called leaving party where apon friends and family bring a little something for our son, be it a t towel or some money. The uni isn't to far from us and a few trips with a loaded car wont break the bank but it is handy another lad my sons friend is going to the same uni and as parents we have decided to share costs should we need to.My biggest tip though is to start saving young it will come as a god send.

[hiddenmichelle]

I went to a university far from home in the days when tuition was still free, there were grants....I loved it - not just the course but the experience of being away from home too - it was such an adventure. I want the same for my kids, but think that it will be too expensive and will ask them to look into studying at a university close to home - either that or I'll need to win the lottery!

[Roraima]

The first week was the hardest for me but little by little their phone calls were more and more eye opener, calls to ask a recipe or how to was some delicate garment or anything I was the one to do for them.

[stefalfie11]

Make a list of what you need kitchen wise otherwise when you're in the shop you end up buying utensils and gadgets that you will never use wasting both money and space in your new flat! Its amazing how many people turn up with omelete makers or ricer cookers and never use them.

[glennamy]

Ensure you have brought DC up correctly, giving them all the life skills that they will need, tell them that no matter what they can always call you whatever the reason, be happy for them, support their independence, for my eldest it was upsetting but I didn't show that to her so not to make it even harder for them to leave, was in tears afterwards. Be proud of the job you have done and what they have become!

[IonaAilidh11]

make sure they know how to do household chores, like how to use a washing machine etc

[helsrodders]

I encouraged my son to get to know the other students on his halls of residence floor as soon as he arrived, making sure he was out in his corridor and making friends. Initially it was hard for him, but as the group of friends got bigger, they all became more confident and knocked on others' doors to introduce themselves. They all now had mates to sit with at breakfast/dinner as well as going to events with during freshers week.

[Ikea1234]

I went to university in my hometown and drove in every day. I also had a part time job. I was the richest student!
We are saving frantically for our son, though for what? Advice is not to pay upfront for various things including tuition fees, and make the most of the loan system as they only pay back a small amount on hitting a certain salary, so do we keep it for his first house? A car? Decisions, decisions!

[tamalyn1]

my duaghter had just come home from a 3 year stint at liverpool uni, she loved it, am glad she decided to go away from home, i collected itens throughout the year, such as slow cooker, george foreman, airer, cleaning products etc. she also had a laptop for her birthday to help study. we had lots of flat packed boxes so she could store them under her bed. she loved having her own bathroom so do that if you can especially for girls. every month i sent her a care package, with chocolate and a grocery voucher to help out a little. she has made firm friends for life.

[Ranita]

Teaching a child to 'keep house' is the best advice - a few decent recipes under their belt, how to clean,budgeting skills and shopping smart.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

DD is in Y12 so we're just beginning to think about possibilities and planning some Open day visits. I'm hoping she'll consider how far away Uni's are as would be good if she's able to come home reasonably conveniently and affordably. I'm also wondering if she might apply to some where we know people. An Aunt even offered that she could be a lodger at theirs which seemed a neat idea - though I'd expect she'd want to spend the first year getting to know others in halls.

[strawberrisc]

My daughter is 12 and keeps changing her mind about what she wants to do with her future, as they do at that age.

There are only the two of us at home and I am going to have to fight the urge to keep her with me. Instead, I want to feel proud that she spreads her wings and finds her own independance. My tip to myself will be to keep a brave face on in her presence and do my crying in private!

[hbakfam]

I went to university and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Lots of drinking, lots of stress and at the end you're left with the same jobs as people who didn't go to university and a mortgage worth of debt to show for it.

When I went to uni tuition fees were about £3,000 per year and maintenance grants were also of around £3,000. Now universities are trying to charge more than £9,000 a year in fees with £8,200 a year in maintenance loans with no guarantee of a job at the end of it, it's madness!

[linasi]

Definitely start with budgeting practise years before the actual event is a great plus. I gave mine a look at my housekeeping budget and asked them to budget for a few weeks.

Actual experience beats imaginary scenarios, lol, and they will realise just how difficult it is to make sure everything is paid while still providing meals for the family with a bit extra left for those unexpected expenses

[rachelmi]

I would always allow a visit home in the first few weeks but encouraged my son to stay in the early days to get to know others and begin to settle. By coming home at the weekend you miss out socially and to forge new friendship. ( Also first few friends are not always the ones you remain close to).

[Marg2k8]

I was worried that my son would never wake up in time to get to lectures, but we bought a huge loud alarm clock and he put it on the far side of the room, so he had to get out of bed to turn it off.
I worried how he would manage his finances, but he has been very level headed about it.
I'm very proud of him two years in.

[janeyf1]

It is a long way off yet but I hope when the time comes my dc will stay local and choose the university where we live. I would hate her to move to another city and fear her changing

[grumpymummy3]

Mine are a long way off but we have discussed it, the experience is amazing but is it worth getting in so much debt for. If they want to go we will encourage them to get a job before they go and while they are there, maybe go close to home to make it cheaper and prepare them by ensuring they can look after themselves.

[alsproject]

Make sure they know how to cook cheap and easy meals

[planepointer]

Make sure they know the basics of a few things to cook and how to do their laundry!

[RACHELSMITH45]

No experience yet of this but I can't even imagine them not being here! I would keep in touch lots though, go to visit, ring and text! (yep I'm one of those mums!!)

[buckley1983]

My little one is a long way off from uni yet.. but I do think about him going in the future, & the skills he'll need! My Mum was sobbing when she left me at uni & I imagine I will be very much the same if, & when, my little one makes that leap! I didn't have a clue about eating well, despite my Mum's best efforts to teach me. I'd like to think, if I start early enough, my LO will have a sound knowledge of how to eat well, cook for himself & enjoy his food.
I hope I'll have taught him the importance of washing your clothes regularly & ironing your bedclothes!! My old housemate never washed his sheets & his duvet didn't even have a cover - not through lack of funds you understand, he just wasn't bothered!
I hope he'll have a positive relationship with alcohol.. if he chooses to drink at all. I used to drink a lot when I was younger, & would be terrified if my son got up to the things I used to. Maybe we all feel like this!? Drinking in moderation is fine, hopefully he'll have learnt this before he goes..
Another practical one, which I learnt the hard way, is to ensure whoever is last up - make sure doors & windows are locked! We didn't & it took my housemate & I around an hour to realise someone had climbed in the (open) lounge window once night & nicked his cash, mp3 player & ciggies!

[QOD]

Be very supportive when they want to follow their boyfriend to the uni just 8 miles away 😈

[sweir1]

always leave the door open to them