setting up a first time student

rosalie-lavender

I have a similar problem with My DD. She knows her Hall but it is very small and there doesn't appear to be a list of what is in it. When she asked on the facebook group what was provided she was told we have a cooker and a table and chairs. What we want to know is things like kettles/toasters and whether she needs to bring a duvet. My boys halls provide all bedding but I know a lot of places don't.

We went to a boot fair today and managed to get her plates and bowls and a brand new multi-steamer saucepan set and silly bits like graters and a fish slice. She is also delighted because she managed to get a whole pile of dvd's she has been saving for at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

For anyone who hasn't bought any pans yet the multi steamer sets that go on the cooker are quite handy. The type with a pan at the bottom and two steamer sections that fit on top. When space on the cooker is limited they only take one ring but will cook two or three bits at once. They also take up less space in the cupboards than saucepans because they usually have much smaller handles.

Westywoodpecker

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

Just to add ... you can also get those gift cards from Sainsbury's, bean cards I think they're called. You keep one half to top up and the student keeps the other half (to use).

rozmister wrote: »

I had one of these and when I got into dire straits my Mum would put a wee bit of money on it for food or as a treat sometimes. I never ever spent mine on alcohol because I felt too guilty thinking my Mum gave me that money for food but you can so it depends how much you trust your darling child. I knew a few people who did use theirs to buy alcohol and felt no guilt about that and I knew some people whose parents just reimbursed supermarket receipts in full with alchol on them and all after their kids purchased it - I'd guess they came from a different background to me and didn't see it the same way I did.

I solved this by telling my DS that I could see what he was spending it on on-line :rotfl: If I work an extra shift I would top it up a bit to reassure myself he was still eating well.

Someone mentioned getting some photo's for ID purposes, this is an excellent tip as my DS almost missed his foreign holiday by having a "tatty" passport due to constantly using it for ID. (His replacement came the day before! :eek:)

Something I hadn't thought about was some decent bike lights as my DS bikes it to Uni.

bouncydog1

Joggers headlamp - great for fishing stuff out from under the bed, back of wardrobe. Fits easily around wrist if walking home. Don't bother with an iron. They hang clothes that are really creased in the shower. Ironing cuts down on pre drinks sessions and don't kid yourselves your children will be any different to the rest!

jayII

We're adding a cheap hand blender and first aid box to our list. DS uses our blender all the time and would be lost without one. First aid box is so that he can have basic painkillers, plasters and his emergency meds (he has an illness) handy.

Poppy9

Family are starting to ask what they can get DD as a "starting uni" gift.

I've steered a few in the direction of making up a small hamper. The family that are ex students have embraced this with great ideas and she will hopefully have a food hamper, stationery hamper, toiletry hamper, alcohol hamper and a chocolate hamper!!

Poppy9

Prescriptions - are they free in England up to a certain age? In Wales they are free for everyone regardless of age.

jayII

They're free for school / college students until they turn 19. She will have to pay for the dentist too, if she needs it (not sure how that is in Wales).

Poppy9

jayII wrote: »

They're free for school / college students until they turn 19. She will have to pay for the dentist too, if she needs it (not sure how that is in Wales).

Thanks I think I can still order her asthma inhalers at her surgery at here.

We are the same as England for dental treatment so she has to pay for check ups at our NHS dentist from 19 here in Wales. The receptionist told me this a couple of weeks ago at her last check up and said to come before she turns 19!

jayII

Poppy9 wrote: »

Thanks I think I can still order her asthma inhalers at her surgery at here.

We are the same as England for dental treatment so she has to pay for check ups at our NHS dentist from 19 here in Wales. The receptionist told me this a couple of weeks ago at her last check up and said to come before she turns 19!

With asthma they may be free here. My DS gets all his free due to an on going health condition. She'll need to get an exemption card if that is the case. You can apply for them on the NHS website.

BACKFRMTHEEDGE

Alye16 wrote: »

Half price kettle at £6 from M & S some good reviews

http://www.marksandspencer.com/M-S-1-7L-Electric-Kettle/dp/B001VB6HHW?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_1&nodeId=42966030&sr=1-1&qid=1377453033&pf_rd_r=1MXZ4TMMRMEFCHA53YPV&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=321381407&pf_rd_s=center-3

Argos have one for a £5 -really good - and a toaster for the same - really good too. And an Iron... all value.

They have a sandwich maker for £4.50 - haven't bought one of these though.