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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Going off to university

49 replies

3littlefrogs · 12/09/2008 11:50

Ds1 goes off to uni next week. He will be in university accommodation, (6 bedrooms and shared kitchen).

I have made a list of all the basics - cutlery, crockery,bedding, towels,cleaning stuff etc.

Does anyone have any tips for things that I should get for him that would be really useful but I might not have thought of?

Thanks in advance for all ideas.

OP posts:
gonaenodaethat · 12/09/2008 11:52

cookbook
paracetamol (hangovers in freshers week!)

AMumInScotland · 12/09/2008 12:04

coffee/teabags/sugar/whitener/biscuits - very helpful for making friends the first day, specially lots of biscuits!

Hassled · 12/09/2008 12:11

Agree re a good basic cookbook. A basic saucepan set if the kitchen isn't equipped. A kettle and some mugs for his room? Loo roll! I also did a basic first aid kit - plasters, painkillers, antiseptic wipes. And some initial basic food - a bag of pasta and some sauce, bread, tins of beans, tomatoes - enough for a couple of meals at least.

My DS1 is now spending third Uni year in Berlin on an exchange scheme, and DD is off at the end of the month for first year - it's a weird feeling, isn't it? On the one hand they're clearly ready to leave home, on the other hand it doesn't seem like a week since you took them into Reception class.

dancedance · 12/09/2008 12:21

Extension leads with extra sockets - laptop, printer, lamp, straightners (maybe not for ds!) etc will need more than the standard 2 sockets they provide.

First aid stuff is a good one, he's bound to carve his finger when attempting to cook.

With 6 of them don't worry about toaster, kettle, etc. Someone will have one! And if not they can club together for them.

Some beers and cake or biscuits. good for handing round.

DD just going into 2nd year, we just had some photos developed and found some of her moving in that we'd forgotten about which was nice. So don't forget the camera for a few sly shots as he'll prob want rid of you once you sorted, transported, and paid for shopping

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 12/09/2008 12:36

Thanks - this is great. It is so hard to think of everything.

OP posts:
brightwell · 12/09/2008 12:45

When my dp's dd went to uni I bought her a kettle, toaster & a george grill. I also did a "leaving home box" with things like looroll,kitchen roll, biscuits, chocolate, paracetamol, jar of hot choc, a couple of bottles of wine, pasta, pesto & tuna. Tea towels & washing up liquid, cling film. She was impressed with the box.

laweaselmys · 12/09/2008 12:57

Big box of tissues and some extra blankets for freshers flu... the heating won't be on until october.

laweaselmys · 12/09/2008 12:58

He will also probably end up with a mini-fridge in his room. Everybody does!

girlsnextdoor · 12/09/2008 15:16

you need to check that uni will allow kettles in bedrooms- some don't due to H&S rules- ditto toasters etc.

If he is going to cook, best bet is a store cupboard of stand bys as people have said-pasta, cans, sauces, tea, coffee, washing powder, etc- oh, and condoms, lol.

Libra · 12/09/2008 15:21

Washing powder for clothes and some washing-up liquid?

jesuswhatnext · 12/09/2008 15:25

i was going to suggest an iron, then thought ' duh, daft tart, hes off to uni, he will be looking crumpled for the next few years'

juuule · 12/09/2008 15:26

Our ds just took bedding, his laptop, clothes and his guitar.

Went shopping for groceries etc once we'd gone and he discussed with new flatmates what they needed. We'd done a quick tour of the campus to find out where the shop, restaurant, cash machine were.

Self-catering student halls, so kitchen had utensils etc.

juuule · 12/09/2008 15:33

Oh yes, forgot his crockery and cutlery for 1.

flatmouse · 12/09/2008 15:42

bottle opener
instructions on how to use launderette (house of 5 girls my first year and NONE of us knew how!)
radio
phone card?
I feel old now...it was nearly 20 yrs ago that i went!

LollipopViolet · 12/09/2008 18:44

Camera (for freshers week funny pics)
Enough money to last til student loan comes through (apparently sometimes they mess it up)
Picture of the family (he might miss you!)

Can't think of anything else, but then I am living at home Still nervous though, Welcome Week starts Monday for me!

catweazle · 12/09/2008 18:59

bluetack, string, scissors

RustyBear · 12/09/2008 19:04

DS (just going into his 3rd year at Warwick) says vodka and chocolate cake are better ice-breakers than coffee & biscuits

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 12/09/2008 19:56

Vodka and chocolate cake - and condoms?

There was me thinking he was going to be studying!

OP posts:
compo · 12/09/2008 19:58

we got a freshers pack that had a small carton of Daz in it, can't remember what else was in it, but that Daz lasted me that whole first term

mumeeee · 12/09/2008 22:39

Duvet and pilows were provided at DD1's.
Shh took some crokery,cutlery and some basic kitchen utensils.I also gave her a students cook book which she found handy.
She took her laptop which was an essential item as she had a lot of course work.

ethanchristopher · 14/09/2008 11:42

get him a mini fridge for his room cause everybody steals milk... so im told

Lilymaid · 14/09/2008 17:27

Vodka and chocolate cake (as previously mentioned) goes down well with new friends on first night. DS bought a George Foreman Grill - but to start with they will probably live on dial a pizza.
Cosy blanket for the inevitable freshers flu and extension leads/adaptors.
All these were previously mentioned but are vital.
Bluetak for posters? Washing tablets rather than powder so they don't put too much in machine.
Bottle opener and a small tool kit.

mumeeee · 14/09/2008 18:06

Ask about mimi fridges before you nuy one. DD1 was not allowed these her room in halls.

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 14/09/2008 18:21

This is great - I am making a list

Thanks everyone - I knew there would be things I hadn't thought of.

OP posts:
WendyWeber · 14/09/2008 18:25

DD1 went into the biggest hall at Leeds & none of the bedrooms have a bedside table - not a lot of drawer space either, so having been forewarned by a friend with a child already there we bought a nice sturdy solid wood 3-drawer one & it's been all over the place with her since then!