'Bottom Drawer' for Uni

hedgehogs_2

IKEA blue bags a must for carrying laundry.
On the subject of bottled water, buy one of the drinks bottles that can be refilled and have a filter. Cost a bit but cheaper than constantly buying water.
Not sure if it's been mentioned but a small digital radio.
Good luck.

Islandmaid

Thanks for the additional info - all very welcome

This week I,ve bought an additional few bits for him. The suggestion of an ikea bag as a laundry bag is great, I,ve been looking at a posh branded one that turns into a bag - you,ve saved me £27

As for pots, pans, plates etc DS has told me there is a uni forum, and once accomodation is confirmed, they will 'meet' the new neighbor's online and decide who,s bringing what, which is great. His personal plates and bits will be 2 of each, if he needs more, he can buy them.

We,re donating a clothes airer, and some basic ovenware and as a few of you have mentioned - a basic starter shop can be delivered, which we will boost with a few beers and treats to share.

DS is so laid back about it all, and I am such a prepper, that it's me that's getting stressed - have made a conscious descision to chill out :cool:

[Deleted User]

You'll both be fine petal, you'll miss him, he'll have a whale of a time and then miss you but it's not forever and there are holidays when he'll be so pleased to be home and looked after by his Mum. It's part of the fledging process on both sides and whatever he does, wherever he goes, whoever he becomes he'll still be your baby and you'll still be his Mum! Chin up chickie, you'll both be FINE, really!!!

THIRZAH

A folding dryer was on the list of things DD1 was told to bring to Durham. When she was there all the halls provided three meals a day and there was only a microwave in the kitchen on her corridor.

I do remember DD2 having to get permission to have a mini fridge in her room. We would drop her stuff off in her room then head to an out of town supermarket to stock her up with food as there were only a couple of small supermarkets in the town centre. She had to use "white-tack" to stick things on her walls. If they have to share a freezer some cheap plastic boxes that can be labelled and stacked together on a shelf might be a good idea-DD2 had half a freezer shelf in one hall.

Stackable plastic storage boxes are a good idea-makes it easier to clear the room out at the end of term. DD1 had to clear her room out each term but DD2 could leave some stuff in a lockable window seat.

I used to send them both back with a home made cake-very popular with some of their friends.

MandM90

Islandmaid wrote: »

Thanks for the additional info - all very welcome

This week I,ve bought an additional few bits for him. The suggestion of an ikea bag as a laundry bag is great, I,ve been looking at a posh branded one that turns into a bag - you,ve saved me £27

As for pots, pans, plates etc DS has told me there is a uni forum, and once accomodation is confirmed, they will 'meet' the new neighbor's online and decide who,s bringing what, which is great. His personal plates and bits will be 2 of each, if he needs more, he can buy them.

We,re donating a clothes airer, and some basic ovenware and as a few of you have mentioned - a basic starter shop can be delivered, which we will boost with a few beers and treats to share.

DS is so laid back about it all, and I am such a prepper, that it's me that's getting stressed - have made a conscious descision to chill out :cool:

Don't stress! When I got to UCL I realised I didn't have a lock for my cupboard, or pins for my notice board...so we just went out and bought them from a nearby hardware store. No biggie!

One of the things I got the most use out of was a microwave steamer. Great way to cook veggies easily, hassle free, and in minutes. I got mine from the pound shop. I also used a rice steamer too. All of the Asian kids (which is a lot at UCL) seemed to have a rice cooker, which I thought was funny but in retrospect makes good sense as rice is so cheap and keeps forever! They also, I seem to remember, could chuck meat/veggies in there too so a whole meal was pretty painless!

Dare I be the first person on the thread to mention condoms? :cool:

Spare loo roll for emergencies...

Also see if he needs an ethernet cable (ours was provided but might not always be the case)

Spare coat hangers (we were given two each...helpful)

Door stop. Probably against fire regs but we ended up propping ours open loads (only when in) as otherwise people are less inclined to stick their head around and say hi.

Islandmaid

MandM - we've had the upgraded version of the birds and the bees chat - lots of eye rolling, as that boat had sailed, but he understands that condoms aren't just for stopping babies, and it's both parties responsibility to use protection - at least I,ve said my piece.

Silly question, but can you cook pasta in a micro steamer? I think most of his initial meals will be pasta based

minimacka

Loving this thread Islandmaid, my d/s is going to uni in September, so I am making notes on things he will need to.

isitenough

I keep trying to mention to my DS, who should be going to Uni in Sept (has a firm offer for lower grades, so will be going to somewhere!), that we need to start thinking of things (and I am!) but he and my OH are all 'you're too early, lets wait' etc... It's annoying! And I have a feeling we'll be panic buying. Which I hate. (although bedding can't be bought yet as both choices have different size beds, have to wait & see!)

I've got a load of good ideas, from threads like these, but can't put any into action yet as DS isn't on board. He's a picky so & so, so doesn't feel right going to buy stuff when he's not participating in the choices!

By the time his results come through I'll be chomping at the bit to spend money so he better be ready!
*I suppose I am getting annoying. Every time we go in a shop I'm commenting on what we see that'll be 'handy' for DS! My OH wants to throttle me! But it's exciting! I love planning.

THIRZAH

I love planning too. We'd usually visit DDs at uni once or twice a term and I'd always be on the lookout for small interesting food items-small jars of jam or honey, packets of individually wrapped biscuits, mini cheeses etc- to take with me. I'd bake before going and take a few home made biscuits or pies plus cakes like fruit cake which kept a bit longer. I have some individual loaf tins and a six inch cake tin which were useful. DD2 used to like a couple of things like individual home made frozen lasagnes in foil dishes.

FairyPrincessk

A few things I don't think I've seen mentioned:

A stapler/hole puncher/tape/ruler--the sorts of desk items that are usually one per household.
A few permanent markers for laundry/labeling food etc.
A bottle opener, tin opener and sharp knife (even if housemates have these, they always either seem to break, go missing or be rubbish so backups are handy!)
If there are cooking facilities, don't forget a colander, cheese grater, spatula--I've had too many flatmates who brought all the saucepans and cooking trays money could buy but didn't have these things).
I think someone mentioned spices--if not, a mini set of some of the lesser used (just decant a spoonful or two from the household ones) and a full set of the common stuff, depending on his tastes. Buying a full jar for just a few pinches a term is always annoying, but spices can really expand your flavours when you're eating cheaply.
Multiple towels, thinner ones are probably better as they dry more easily
Oven gloves if relevant

He will almost inevitably get 'freshers flu' possibly several variations of it throughout the term, so if he isn't used to self-medicating, knowing when to go to the gp and when to treat at home etc. then it might be worth a chat, some basic medications and clear guidelines written down (i.e. be careful of paracetamol in cold preparations, don't double up, go to the GP if glands are swollen etc.) A thermometer can also be useful. When I used to live alone and move around as a student to various unfamiliar lands I'd always assemble an illness box for myself. It had cold and flu supplies, V&D supplies and a stock of very easy food to eat in the event of illness--I used to keep cup a soup type sachets, cream crackers or similar, pre-made jelly pots and a packet to make for the next day, rehydration mixture, tissues and an emergency pack of disinfecting wipes in mine. There is nothing worse than being very ill everywhere and needing to clean up, keep yourself hydrated and rest and not having what you need or having anyone to pop out for you!

Please also ask his current GP about the Meningitis vaccine and any others recommended for this year's intake of freshers. If he can get it before he leaves it will save him doing it when he is there.

I'd also suggest a file of important documents--NI card, NHS card, photocopies of bank cards with lost/stolen numbers, passport etc. and I'd probably slip in a bit of cash for an emergency. It needn't be a lot. I'd record basic family contact info in it etc. It can then be stored safely and if he loses his wallet and mobile he'll be prepared for what to do.

It will be a brilliant adventure for him.