Son/daughter going to uni in September 2012. What do we need to buy?

Char_pdc

chocolatepennyfarthing wrote: »

Have just bought son a laptop, was wondering what its best to do re virus proection, was thinking of AVG and the best place to get Student Office, is it a standard price everywhere?

If he is going to university in September and is planning to use it at uni and connect to the uni wifi/network check their IT website.

A lot offer free anti-virus to students and it might be a requirement of connection to have it installed. They might also offer software discounts or reccomendations through their website

teachergirl

Hello there. Whatever you do, do not pay the full price for office. I bught it from here http://www.software4students.co.uk/ when my children were at schol at a fraction of the price. You just had to check the name of the school was registered.

My son has made me a list ......it is so comprehensive it even includes sun tan lotion!!!!!!!! he has always been like this since a young child. He leaves in less than two weeks now as the medical students start early. Got lots of stuff in IK*A yesterday for the kitchen at very reasonable prices.

Minxz

I've had 2 boys go through uni, this year it's my daughter's turn. I remember 4 years go getting some things from freecycle, family & I gave them the odd plates/cutlery etc that I already had. For DD though it's been a bit different!
There were requests for fluffy cushions, a vase and 'pretty' things.. all of which were turned down as the bill added up!
She's going to a shared house, so she bought the kettle, someone else got the toaster, another the ironing board. She goe stomorrow ( leaving early as she's been offered a pt job there), and amongst the pile of packing in our hallway is:

• Underbed storage boxes- handy to put your spare dry foods if youre worried about it ging for a walk, plus for her spare books, printer papaer etc.
• airer
• kettle/toaster/toasty maker
• iron ( under £4 tescos)
• a small weekend bag for when she visits
• cutlery/crockery/pack of cooks knives (£ shop!)
• Egg timer, spatulas, wooden spoons, laundry bag, tupper boxes, ( £ shop!)
• Casserole dish to cook in bulk for a couple of days
• student cook book
• new duvet / pillows/ covers/ sheets
• lamp
• Mop & broom & dustpan
• Corkskrew- essential!!
• tin opener, veg peeler, pizza cutter, colander, fry pan
• value set of saucepans, big packs of climg film & foil
• towels/t-towels/face cloths/dish cloths/shower scrunchie
• enough toiletries to last her at least a month
• spare hair dye kit ( so she doesn't have to eat into her food budget)
• fancy dress items- essential for Freshers- pirate eye patches/scarves/hook etc- cowboy hat, school tie( there is always a school themed club night!)
• freshers tickets
• 18 box od Bulmers ( to assist in the first night friend making!)
• About 3 big jute recycle bags full of pasta, sauces, tins, sugare, tea, cereal etc to get her started

• files, file boxes, a4 paper, pens, stapler, hole punch,

A4 clear file pockets etc

I can't think of anything else right now! Hope that helps someone...:)

the-mango

chaostheory wrote: »

Thank you for this post. I think you have saved me a couple of hundred quid!!!! My son doesn't really watch any TV (he'll be more than happy with some DVDs that he can watch on his lap top) and I've just checked that he can watch BBC progs on i player legally without a TV licence.

Cheers!

I don't know if I read the TV license info correctly, but from what I undersatnd you can even watch live, as long as your laptop isn't plugged in?
Is that reallly right?!

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1/ wrote:

Your parents' TV Licence will not cover you while you are away at university unless you only use a device that's powered solely by its own internal batteries. You must not plug it into the mains when using it to receive TV.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1

mintymoneysaver

This thread has been a great help, and I think we've almost finished our shopping for DDs first year. How's everyone else got on? We've shopped as carefully as we can, but it has still cost a pretty penny, especially as a girl likes her stuff to match! She's off to catered halls, but needs to cater for herself at lunchtime and weekends, so still needs a few pots and pans. So we've bought bedding and things for her room, kitchen equipment, an iron and clothes airer, storage boxes, towels, and stationery.Some of the more random things we've bought are a student cookbook, a Where's Wally fancy dress outfit and some new underwear and pj's.

Going to do food shop this week to get her through the first weekend, and lunches for the next week, plus staples like pasta, make her some cakes, buy her a bottle of vodka and a tin of sweets, and then my baby is off to Manchester next Saturday. Where are yours off to?

bouncydog1

In DD's halls there were 18 of them 1st year - 18 sets of pots and pans is really too much too store, so I would recommend buying a wok which can be used for everything! We bought a set of crockery from Next in the sale and she took 2 sets, replacing from store kept at home when it got broken. Recommend a cheap single duvet to use as a mattress topper under a fitted sheet and a spare set of bedding and towels so that they have enough to keep going - washing and drying is quite expensive.

Also recommend signing them up for savers links like mse - dd gets the email and uses the offers. Also sign them up for online shopping from Tescos etc and ensure they can keep track of their bank accounts.

Recommend a large plastic lidded storage box - food does get stolen so at least they can keep non-fridge items in their rooms. DD actually took a food mixer with her (hand held) which was great as she could trade her cake making skills for others making her the odd meal!

I don't recommend a portable safe as this makes it easy for thieves (not necessarilly other students but visitors) to take all valuables in one go - you can't secure the safes to the floor etc as you can't fix anything to uni property.

Any new readers who haven't read the thread - there is lots of useful info on there even though it is now running to 5 pages!

sheilavw

My Daughter will be starting her 2nd year at Edge Hill shortly, she is staying in the same house as last year. Over the summer Ive bought one or two things each week and put them in a big box. Things like washing up liquid, toilet rolls, cleaning products. I have also bought lots of tinned soups, beans, spaghetti, tuna, pasta , mayo etc. I know then that she has always something in and wont starve

BACKFRMTHEEDGE

mintymoneysaver wrote: »

This thread has been a great help, and I think we've almost finished our shopping for DDs first year. How's everyone else got on?

I think we are almost done too. Just need to check that our house insurance covers DS when he's out and about (as contents insurance is included in cost of halls.)

And yes even when you're buying the bare essentials and giving them old towels, bedding, etc it does add up. :eek:

Fun though

happytobehere

Great thread!

We're going for a final food shop with our two sons tonight before they go: one to Manchester and the other to Bolton.

I've bought them loads of little bits and pieces and I know they really appreciate it, even though they may not be the most exciting things for them to have to think about!

I love the idea of sending them little gifts and treats - I'm so sad and emotional at the thought of them both going, that it will make me feel better and will hopefully cheer them up too!

BACKFRMTHEEDGE

Son said he didn't want the clothes airer but I think he wishes he had one now....