1st time at Uni.....ideas please

bunny_too

ciderwithrosie wrote: »

That's just how I was too, so organising, shopping and collecting things so that he was as well equipped as possible really helped me. Happily, he loves it and hasn't starved or turned into a tramp or any of the terrible fates I moithered about and he's in East London, although his halls on the royal albert dock are the most cushy student digs I think I've ever seen (although a very dull campus in terms of nightlife/student groups) - my Art College had prefab huts that were put up temporarily during the war!! :rotfl: My next worry is where he's going to rent in September, 4 of them want to share but I reckon all they'll be able to afford is a flat above a kebab shop or something! Where's your son hoping to go?

regards CWR

We live in Northern Ireland, and he is off to Warwick.

rosalie-lavender

ellay864 wrote: »

My eldest goes off to uni this year too...assuming he drags himself off the Xbox/MSN and actualy does does some revision lol
I am actively not thinking about the details...if I wonder about what he's eating I would worry far too much. :rotfl:

Actually you might be surprised about what they eat. My son is in Halls and his corridor got together and cooked a Christmas dinner for 10 that most experienced cooks would be proud to serve up. I saw the photos on facebook and was very impressed. The next corridor along from them did the same.

hethmar

When my son went - his first year was in the student halls of residence - you need to sort that out asap. I gave him a couple of cook books, cooking for students - have a look on amazon. He is now 28 and a very good cook actually They all sort themselves out, dont worry - he will become a dab hand at pasta cooking.

rosalie-lavender

bunny_too wrote: »

We live in Northern Ireland, and he is off to Warwick.

My son is at Warwick studying Physics. He started in October last year after a serious bout of depression. It was very hard sending him off under those circumstances but it has done him the world of good. He is so much more confident and I cannot fault the university for the support and help they have given him. The group he has been living with have been very supportive both of him and each other. It helped that the university sort out who is going in which room according to the hobbies and interests they put on the accomodation application form.

I would be more than happy for either of my other children to go to Warwick if that is what they chose. Make sure you meet the deadline for accomodation applications and if he is going to apply for any Bursaries check the deadlines for those too. Make sure he thinks carefully about what he puts down as interests, etc on his accomodation form because they consider those things when allocating rooms. Be aware that in most of the en suite rooms you have to clear the room completely at Easter and Christmas. We have discovered we should have a Tardis not a car! The hall my son is in does have a large storage cupboard they can leave some bits in but most still has to come home.

If you have any questions about Warwick uni that you can't find answers for pm me and I will ask K what he thinks.

Owain_Moneysaver

rosalie-lavender wrote: »

I saw the photos on facebook and was very impressed.

I'd have been mortified if my parents had been able to see what I was up to on facebook!!! :rotfl:

pjcox2005

I'd say make sure he understands his weekly budget so doesn't blow all his money away straight away.

The other one would be to ensure he doesn't go home on the first few weekends/couple of months. I've seen too many people who aren't sure about uni at first going home on weekends and then they struggle to get involved later on as they miss out on the time people get to know each other.

hethmar

Its a wonderful experience for them they learn independence and make life long friendships on top of receiving an education for a satisfying career- my boy travels all over the world to meet up with old friends from university and they often have group meet ups in some exotic places.

As pj above says, dont encourage him to come home too much - bonding is very important in that first year

ciderwithrosie_2

tabskitten wrote: »

Sorry i was referring to the OP........

should have used quote box.

Yes, I know you were, but seeing as I was of the same feeling as Bunny Too this time last year and have now been through the process, I felt more in a position to reply/defend - as for Bunny Too and her son this is all virgin territory at the moment. I'm assuming you don't have children this age yourself, maybe when you do you'll realise it's got nothing to do with being a smothering, anxious parent, just a caring, supportive one. I am thrilled for my son that he's living it up in London and having all these experiences but that doesn't stop me missing him and wanting to help wherever I can still. Some of the posts on the 'Student Room' from Uni kids neither getting or expecting any type of support from their parents are heartbreaking.

Muntz

I remember my parents sending me a few care packages at the start of Uni, with silly things like biscuits, my mail, recipies etc. my GF at teh time's parents sent her a cuddly hot water bottle which i think she till has.

I say things to send your DS off with to start if there in halls at least 2 plates, 2 cups, 2 glasses ad cuttelry. CHEAP stuff, it will get ruined. Student cookbook, sounds like your babying them , but seriously comes in handy when u cant remeber how to cook an omelette (dumb i know)
washing stuff for clothes and showering.

to be perfectly honest i dont hink there is any correct list of things to take, cause you'll worry about taking to much or two little. another idea is to email freshers who r starting and see what their taking.

rosalie-lavender

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

I'd have been mortified if my parents had been able to see what I was up to on facebook!!! :rotfl:

Ah but it works both ways, he knows what I am up to as well.:rotfl:

The golden rule though, if a parent has facebook is you don't post on their wall! That is most definitely not cool. K knows I am pretty easy going and I just laugh at their antics. In fact a picture of the rude bread they made got passed round his Grandma's oap's club and caused great hilarity. It wasn't me who printed out the picture and showed it to grannie though, it was his Aunt! So poor K not only has Mum that can see his antics but Grandma too.:eek: