Oxford graduate applicants 2009/2010

My parents want to come and visit me on Matriculation day. Anyone can tell me if this is a wise idea?
I know I will be busy during the morning for photos etc, but I'd like to know if there's something that new students usually do a part from this (like formal college lunch, dinner...). I'm afraid I'll be too busy.

Just as an update - Oxford emails should have been sent out this morning. Hope you guys all got yours.

However, strangely, Oxford has decided to use my nickname in my email. Would it be wrong to ask them to change it to my full name (I prefer to use it as it is more professional)?

Oh and if anyone is studying Politics - our reading lists and induction schedules are now up online.

This is probably an extremely silly question, but in regards to opening a bank account in the UK, how are most of you planning on bringing money for those accounts? Are you bringing GBP cash with you, or can you charge or debit money into your new account from your old account?

I'm asking specifically in regards to overseas (US) students. One of the accounts I'm looking to open requires a 1,000 GBP minimum...does that mean I should bring $2000 USD in cash or travelers checks with me or could I just use my credit/debit card to use when I'm there?

As regards bank account. I hadn't found anything free for internationals that also offered debit cards but was told on TSR about the current account at llyods and am planning on getting that. As regards withdrawals, I have a BoA account in the US and they actually have a deal with Barclays so if you withdraw from Barclays ATMs (there's one at Cornmarket Street), you don't have to pay any fees either at home or abroad. I withdrew all my money over a few transactions and then deposited it to my bank. You get the best exchange rate from ATMs and don't have to go through the hassle/extra costs of wire transfers etc (unless you are lucky enough to get free international transfers) so I would highly recommend this method if you bank with BoA.

Umm, carefully read the fine print. It would appear that, yes, there are no ATM access fees, but there is a transaction fee of either 1 percent (ATM) or 3 percent (purchases) in addition to exchange commission. Depending upon the amount transferred it may not be an issue, but it's important to keep in mind that there are indeed fees involved.

Can anyone suggest some free wifi hotspots in Oxford?

The fine print for what? I am sorry but I didn't understand who is charging these fees.

Bank of America. Being part of this Global Alliance simply eliminates the existence of local access fees for use of the ATM. However, there is still a transaction fee after (free) access has been granted. Again, it's minimal, but it's not free. If you are transferring larger sums of money, there are cheaper alternatives.

Mhm, I did not get any mail regarding my e-mail account either. Whom should contact or should I just wait?

Edit: Ok, I thought my E-Mail would'nt work because I could not log in via Herald, but I can obviously log-in via nexus.

The registration page says that I have actually 2 mail-accounts, one from my college and one from my department. Does anyone now how to log-in into my departmental account?

It's only one account. Any mail to your department address just gets redirected.

Can anyone suggest some free wifi hotspots in Oxford?

It's only one account. Any mail to your department address just gets redirected.

Also, regarding the technicalities of moving all my luggage, anyone know if I can use the luggage cart from the baggage claim all the way to the Heathrow Central Bus station? I'm just worried that at some point before I get to the coach, they're going to make me return the cart and then I'm going to have to move 4 suitcases to the coach on my own.