You're going tomorrow

Well Sasha, it doesn't seem that long that I was looking at primary schools for you (actually it seems a very long time ago, back in the dark ages when I only had one child).....let me start again. 
Well Sasha, it doesn't seem that long since I was worrying that you hadn't got into the local must-go-to comprehensive and that your academic achievements would be limited by going somewhere with, let us say, a rather dodgy reputation.  You promised me that you would do well and you have, and tomorrow you set of to Queen Mary for Freshers Week.  You are worried about money.  I am worried that you don't know how to cook or what to eat, so I am going to give you hints, recipes and advice and maybe even some groceries to help you too.

You have a saucepan and a frying pan.  I hope the halls have a grill and/or oven as well.  I know you don't have scales for measuring so I am going to tell you how to estimate the quantities of food you will need.  Let's start very simply.

Pasta with cheese.
1. Fill an electric kettle with enough water to fill your pan to about a couple of inches below the top and switch it on.
2. Switch on the electric ring to high.
3. When the water boils put it in the pan and put the pan on the ring so it boils with big bubbles
4.Measure your pasta.  On the side of the packet it will say something like '1 serving = 100 grams' (it might be 75g or 125g, whatever).  So, if a serving is 100g and you have a 500g bag of pasta, pour about a fifth of the packet into the boiling water.  Extrapolate this advice if you are cooking for more than one person or are very hungry.
.....Carefully so you don't splash yourself with boiling water.
If you do, run the burn under a cold tap till you get bored.
5. Get a small onion and chop it up small using your sharp knife.  Don't attempt this with a blunt knife, it will be very difficult and make a mess.
6. Put a bit of oil or butter in your saucepan and put it on the other ring of the cooker on medium.  When the butter melts or the oil looks a bit less viscous add the onions,  Shake a little salt on them.  Watch carefully and move them around so they don't burn.
7. Watch the pasta.  The packet will tell you how long it takes to cook.  When the time is up try a bit.  If it's still hard and gritty boil it a bit longer.  If it is soft and squidgy take it off the heat, pour off the water without getting all the pasta in the sink and put a blob of butter on it.  Borrow a colander if you can, otherwise put a plate on top, hold it with a towel or teacloth to protect your hand from the steam and pour the water away.
8. Cook the onions until they are soft and brownish.  Take them off the heat and put them in with the pasta.  Mix it around with your plastic spatula. 
9. Tip the whole thing onto a dinner plate.
10. Grate cheese on the top.  If it doesn't melt put it in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds until it does.
11. Eat.  The pasta gives you energy, the cheese is protein and will make you feel full.  The onions will repeat on you so you think you have eaten a proper meal.
Lots of love,
Mum xxx