Daughter Starting Uni?

Peggy40

Hi there. She mind find an alarm clock helpful ? I did!

gdawg55

Just a quick thing to help. As of 31st August there is a new site coming up called myunihub.co.uk. I think it's run by someone famous in the business world?! They are going to offer discounts on the products that students want and recommend (I think there is even a student essentials part, so that may be a place to look into). I read they do everything and have big names on board already (bedding suppliers, kitchen packs - very important for starting at university, george foreman, vodafone, onepiece, russell hobbs, the list is huge) and the prices are super low. They actually have the products on their site and no stupid vouchers that don't work half the time. If you sign up using your student email at the moment I think you can be in for a chance to win an iPad 2.

babyshoes

Hmm, it is a while ago now since I was living in halls. Things that stand out in my mind are:

Hot chocolate was always a winner, along with something creamy and alcoholic to go in it on cold nights. Good for making friends! A few extra mugs are useful too, even if you only get one or two of everything else. Powdered milk and coffee creamer can be kept in your room and avoid the problem of using a shared fridge. Coffee creamer mixed with warm water on weetabix is wierd, but strangely palatable!

A wall hanging and bright multicoloured rug helped to disguise the boring generic decor. Blue goes with everything, or at least doesn't clash! Photos of family were essential, especially in the first few months - we posed for some shortly before I left.

Phone cards were well used then, now I guess you would just need airtime!

If the residence provides linen, don't bother with your own - washing it is a pain in the a***, especially if machine time is limited. Much easier to just take the dirty linen to the housekeeper each week and exchange it for fresh!

Pens and paper, folders, notebooks etc - you will use lots, so buy cheaply in bulk if you can. Don't forget things like highlighters and coloured markers for studying and making diagrams.

If you can get to a wholesaler like Costco or Makro, (see if a friend has a card) it may be worth stocking up there on things like stationery, toiletries, instant noodles, sweeties, biscuits etc.

A nice bath bag is very useful, especially as at some point you will probably have to share a bathroom.

I had a proper, old fashioned metal trunk that we found in Gran's house from her school days. Painted it a funky colour and it doubled up as a table for my kettle and tea making stuff. Great for packing everything up and storing it every term! Try not to buy stuff 'just in case' - having to pack up an un-used iron, still in its box, each term is not fun! Someone always has an iron you can borrow if you really need one for a special occasion, but if you are tumble-drying clothes you simply take them out while still warm, shake and fold quickly. Not perfect, but good enough for students! Cardboard boxes with nice pieces of cloth, or tablecloths on them make good temporary tables, and they come in almost any size you like, plus they can be stacked. They also fold down when not in use. Also, packing tape for packing up each term. I used about a roll a term.

Something I wish I had discovered as a student - a mooncup.
(Guys; if you are squeamish, stop reading now.)
It is an alternative to using tampons, just wash it with soap and water each day you use it, then monthly it needs a good scrub and a soak in sterilising solution (a box of baby bottle sterilising tablets costs pence and lasts ages!). It has seriously improved my life - look it up on google to find out more - I think there is even a thread on here somewhere about it!