Planning for son going to uni

Mojisola

silvercar wrote: »

I've yet to meet a student who doesn't use the alarm clock facility on their mobile phone.

But I have met students who have forgotten to charge up the battery.

thorsoak

I've always given students who are starting uni a set of "toaster" bags - they can then produce toasted sandwiches from the toaster. Cost about £3-£5 - and I've always been thanked and told that they are so useful!

Michelle63x

Oh and I forgot to add this bit - checkout the Student Union to see if they have any events on moving in day. My daughter started at Uni of Sussex in October and the SU had organsied a 'help yourself' day. Basically 3rd years who were moving out had left loads of stuff that the Freshers could take for free. This included bedding. clothes, cookery stuff, course books and coathangers. We saved loads as daughter got tons of useful stuff. Your local SU will have a website or FB page so its worth asking nearer the time if they do this - or even suggesting they think about it if not.

Person_one

Mojisola wrote: »

But I have met students who have forgotten to charge up the battery.

...and students who turn their only alarm off and then go back to sleep for another four hours!

Skyllo

silvercar wrote: »

I've yet to meet a student who doesn't use the alarm clock facility on their mobile phone.

*waves* I like to wake up to the radio in the morning, it's a lot more gentle than BEEP BEEP BEEP. Although the only radio station I could pick up in uni halls was Radio 1 and the sound of Chris Moyles made me get up very quickly...

The one thing I always suggest is tin foil! I was the only one that brought some and comes in very handy, from cooking to fancy dress!

Underbed storage boxes from Home Bargains etc. are useful extra space.

For crockery, I'd say bring 2 plates/bowls/mugs/glasses but only put one in the kitchen, keep the other one under your bed/on top of the wardrobe so you have something when the other one goes missing!!

I'm in my final year of a 6 year course (phew!!!) so am a well-seasoned student!

jasperlil

WOW thank you all for your replies - I really appreciate your help.

When I said we couldnt fund him, what I meant was pay for his accomindation and living expenses. We still have 15 years on our mortagage, hubby does have a good job , but due to me having to go part time due to health issues , our family income has dropped, so taking longer to pay off some of our past debts. We are lucky that we are covering the bills but we are not going to put ourselves further in.

We will be helping with food parcels, travel home- our son has already said he doesnt expect us to pay for him but we have promised him he wont starve and we will get him home if he wants to

He has his first interview in Feb so until he starts visiting , we wont know what, where he can stay. So havent a clue yet. Im just one of those who try to plan ahead.

We have already started helping him to become independant, he is asthamtic and when he turned 16 I started getting him to manage his prescriptions.
He can use the washing machine, including not to mix darks and whites lol

He works part time in between 6th form. He transferes money each pay day to his savers (now has online banking)so is starting to budget and we have already spoken to him about making his student loan last. He is a good boy and buys most of his clothes and always pays us back if he has borrowed money in the past.

Over the past year or so he has started cooking for himself basics, as sometimes he has to have his evening meal before we finish work for him to go to work for the evening. Its only basics but I know he wont starve or live on take aways. Im just about getting him to clear up behind himself - but I am working on that.:rotfl:

Again thank you for all your replies. I think we will put away a few £'s each week rather than buying now and take him to get what he needs when the time comes.

Just cant believe that the baby that I thought I would never have will be leaving this year. But what an experience for him.

Thanks

Shelldean

silvercar wrote: »

I've yet to meet a student who doesn't use the alarm clock facility on their mobile phone.

which is great until the phone breaks..... OH MY the trauma of no phone. :eek::eek::eek::eek:

Mrs_Ryan

Ive lived in halls 3 times now and what I cant stress enough is... loo rolls and plenty of them!! When I moved into halls last time I was at uni my Mum bought me 6 M&S loo rolls when I first moved in and I was very, very grateful!!!

ciderwithrosie_2

Places like Wilkinson's are fab for student kit. They also do special promotions Aug/Sept time. I collected stuff as I saw it

Ask around family and friends - most people have spare pans, towels, crockery etc.

We started a food basics box - sauces, pasta, rice, tins so at least he would have something to eat for a couple of days whilst he found his feet, but I used to do him a tesco delivery once a month to keep him topped up.

Also (off the top of my head)...

Laundry bag and washing tabs
Bedding
dustpan and brush
teatowels
duster & polish
Chopping board
couple of sharp knives
baking trays
wok
casserole pan
microwave saucepans
grater
tin opener
colander
cutlery
crockery
plastic boxes for leftovers/sandwiches
bathmat & towels
basic first aid kit
crate of beer (for networking!)
desklamp
stationery

...Will have to start all this again soon for DS3

belfastgirl23

If he's sensible with money (which it sounds like he is, well done ) it might be better to just put money aside for him beyond giving him very basics - tea/coffee/cheese/cereal of choice etc.

Don't forget communal fridges are often raided so don't go crazy on stuff that can't be locked away. DH still complains about having a load of good ham taken and that was 25 years ago!

But to be honest I think the best thing you can do for him now is make sure he has the skills for independent living. This includes an ability to get himself up and out in the morning, to travel independently and to take responsibility for his own studying. We have placement students at times and some are so coddled they haven't any expectation that they should organise themselves!