Too many questions - Mum in meltdown

Savvy_Sue

deedums wrote: »

I think I will give the accommodation office a ring, the only reason I haven't before is because he was worried they'd think I was fussing (I probably am),

They will, but they'll be used to it ...

BTW, they probably don't want any electrical appliances such as toasters used in whatever passes for a kitchen either! And you may find that the sockets both there and in his rooms are on a circuit with reduced amps so if he DOES use one, he'll blow the fuse ...

Why not send him with the minimum, and let him find his way to Tesco / Asda and buy anything he needs in their cheap'n'cheerful range? He really doesn't want quality in the kitchen, his kitchen equipment will reduce term on term either because it's walked or he forgets to pack it at the end of every term!

(Me to DS1: "Where are your scales?" DS1 to me: "Oh yes, I had scales, didn't I?" Not any more!)

rubuhoeikanaika

deedums wrote: »

I think I will give the accommodation office a ring, the only reason I haven't before is because he was worried they'd think I was fussing (I probably am), so if he doesn't use the email address he's been given I will definitely call them. He'd really like to know what's going to be available but like lots of students going away for the 1st time doesn't want to be seen to be too concerned!

Thanks again

Please don't ring for him. He's presumably more than capable of doing it for himself, if it's important to him then he will. Please don't be a helicopter parent.

rubuhoe

rubuhoeikanaika

deedums wrote: »

Thanks, he's going to Oxford and we've looked at the university college website but it doesn't tell you anything about the accommodation facilities. When my other son went to uni 2 years ago they provided a very comprehensive guide covering all aspects so he had an idea what to expect and it also put my mind at rest!

I'll have a look at the studentroom site and see if his college is on there.

Thanks to you all for your help, it is much appreciated
And sorry for all the individual replies but I'm not sure how to do 'multiple quotes'

I was at Oxford and can probably answer your questions. There will be shared kitchen facilities. He will probably not have a fridge supplied for his room. First-years in particular tend to eat in hall.

He is going to Oxford, to be blunt he can sort this out for himself - I've been involved in various uni admin things and it was always a sinking feeling when someone called on behalf of their child.

rubuhoe

deedums

kingmonkey wrote: »

He wont stave since alcohol contains a lot of calories (and the kebabs have even more!!!)

that's conjuring up too many pictures in my head!!

deedums

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

They will, but they'll be used to it ...

BTW, they probably don't want any electrical appliances such as toasters used in whatever passes for a kitchen either! And you may find that the sockets both there and in his rooms are on a circuit with reduced amps so if he DOES use one, he'll blow the fuse ...

Why not send him with the minimum, and let him find his way to Tesco / Asda and buy anything he needs in their cheap'n'cheerful range? He really doesn't want quality in the kitchen, his kitchen equipment will reduce term on term either because it's walked or he forgets to pack it at the end of every term!

(Me to DS1: "Where are your scales?" DS1 to me: "Oh yes, I had scales, didn't I?" Not any more!)

Thanks, I think you're probably right. Because he's feeling apprehensive (and very excited obviously) I'm feeling the same.

With regard to the equipment, the same happened with my older son, only bedding, some clothes & bits and pieces found their way back home!!

deedums

rubuhoeikanaika wrote: »

I was at Oxford and can probably answer your questions. There will be shared kitchen facilities. He will probably not have a fridge supplied for his room. First-years in particular tend to eat in hall.

He is going to Oxford, to be blunt he can sort this out for himself - I've been involved in various uni admin things and it was always a sinking feeling when someone called on behalf of their child.

rubuhoe

You're right of course, he's more than capable of sorting it out himself. Unfortunately at the moment he is still working full-time to get some funds together so hasn't been able to do anything. He's asking me the questions and obviously I don't have the answers and I promise I'm not doing anything he doesn't want or feel comfortable with

Plus I've got that 'empty nest' feeling creeping in and I just probably wanted some moral support as much as help/advice - stupid I know:o

Thanks

Savvy_Sue

rubuhoeikanaika wrote: »

Please don't be a helicopter parent.

:rotfl: LOVE that phrase ... feel at the moment that I'm trying to create a draft behind DS2 to make some decisions about uni choices ... hope that's OK! (And no, so far the school haven't done a lot with him because he has a fuller timetable than most of the pupils so there's no room for 'Core', where they cover "How to apply to University".

princesslizzie

Does he get all meals provided because if he just gets 2 meals a day they should have somewhere for him to cook. Plus, I should think they should provide you with facilities incase you don't fancy catered or have guests. I'd say ring the uni. Especially if he's not heard from the uni, I was allocated my room in my first year by about July. Has he got info about where to collect keys and stuff yet?

rubuhoeikanaika

princesslizzie wrote: »

Does he get all meals provided because if he just gets 2 meals a day they should have somewhere for him to cook. Plus, I should think they should provide you with facilities incase you don't fancy catered or have guests. I'd say ring the uni. Especially if he's not heard from the uni, I was allocated my room in my first year by about July. Has he got info about where to collect keys and stuff yet?

In general, he will pay a fixed kitchen charge per term (on the order of a couple of hundred pounds) which will be included in his battels (the general termly bill which includes rent etc), plus a fee for each meal he eats. Hall will supply 3 meals per day.

In general, first-year oxford students don't cook for themselves - it's considered somewhat antisocial. The only people I knew who did every day were foreign students who couldn't stomach the food, and vegetarians who found the veggie options (another stuffed pepper! fantastic) uninspiring.

He probably won't be able to cook a nutritious meal for the cost that Hall will be. eg at my college, dinner is GBP2.60 or so for a fairly nice 3 courses with unlimited vegetables.

About keys etc, he will pick that stuff up from the lodge porter when he arrives.

rubuhoe

girlfrommars666

which college is he going to - facilities vary wildly from one to another?!

but in general, agree with rubuhoe - my college had cooking facilities but eating in hall was much cheaper and healthier (and more sociable)