My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Higher education

Second year degree parents - following on from the empty nest thread

10 replies

Kez100 · 14/08/2015 19:55

Here we all are.....a year on from results day. It's flown, hasn't it?

DD still has four weeks left at home. Summer work set by the course is completed and they have started to release the titles of the new module briefs so they can start to plan. Her house isn't ready yet (moving into one purchased by a students family) so good news is she doesn't pay rent until she moves in. The negative side though, some of her mates are going back now early as they have flats they are paying for.

OP posts:
Report
SecretSquirrels · 15/08/2015 19:41

Hi Kez. Looking at all the A level and starting uni threads takes me back to last year.
DS has been looking at second year modules and doing some preparation. His house tenancy starts in September but he's not planning on going down much before term starts. Looking at his rent and utilities I think it is going to work out much cheaper than halls. The flatmates are being fairly organised about who takes what so they don't have duplicates of kitchen stuff.

Report
Kez100 · 15/08/2015 20:01

DD should find rent cheaper too - even paying for twelve months. It's all inclusive like halls but they also have a washing machine and tumble dryer which last year cost extra. They also walk past a supermarket to get to Uni, so might save on buying reduced food and delivery charges (Or it might cost more with all the treats you buy when you can carry them easily!).

They are so excited to have a lounge, TV licence and decking area outside. Just somewhere a bit homely to chill rather than their bedroom or a vinyl floor kitchen. Plus I think there will be two cars onsite.

She's grown up so much. The lists this year I've had nothing to do with. She's asked to go to the city tomorrow after hitting the local car boot sale as she has stuff to get but I've no idea what it is - her boxes in the spare room are just filling!

She doesn't seem to have module choices. They all do the same but the work they produce can be geared to their specialism, so I suppose that's where their choice comes into it.

OP posts:
Report
traceyinrosso70 · 16/08/2015 08:30

I have to say it was lovely on Thursday not to have results day (we had GCSE results for DS the week after too !) . My DD is going back early to work on the open days early September and as she is more than a four hour drive from home she's staying there until term begins. It's lovely having her home but I know she feels like her freedom has been taken away to a degree. The fact that she has met a lovely young man at Uni also means she is desperate to be back to seeing him every day ! It's hard accepting that they don't need you (well until they are ill or some disaster happens) but will definitely be easier to cope with her going back this year than adjusting to her being away at the start of Freshers.

Report
traceyinrosso70 · 16/08/2015 08:31

Oh and her rent will definitely not be cheaper this year !!!! :(

Report
Headofthehive55 · 16/08/2015 08:47

We won't even take ours back as she now has her own car. Don't think she is looking forward to going back, she seems to have been much happier at home. Results day brought a bit of sadness and regret, as she got her insurance not her firm. The anniversary of a bad day I think.

Report
cricketballs · 16/08/2015 10:17

DS going back early September, got to replace some items as they didn't survive halls!

Report
popcornpaws · 16/08/2015 12:24

Yes, it was great not waiting on results day this year!
DD passed all her exams in may and is staying at the same flat this year, different flatmates/flat but in the same building.
It all feels so relaxed this year, most of her things are in storage at the flat and all her other stuff is in the spare room washed and ready to go back.
I remember the day after she left last year and i was sitting in her room in tears as she was only 17 and i wanted her home! (not that i would have told her that)
It was a case of being all upbeat and positive about everything although inside i was upset.
This year i am positive and upbeat for real and hope she gets good flatmates and they have a great old time, but she has grown a lot in the last year and is more confident in herself, its great to see them doing well!

Report
Kez100 · 16/08/2015 21:04

DS has just finished first year of BTEC level.3 and done really well. He has decided to try in 2016 for an apprenticeship or job with potential for prospects and spend a "gap" year in addition trying to secure this. If he doesn't then he might go to Uni to increase his education further.

He wants to extend looking to national level so we've said we will support him with rent if necessary - seems fair as we are standing his sisters rent at Uni.

We aren't sure whether in this gap year he will be able to do another funded course at college - to keep him busy (but which he could drop if he secured a place) or whether he would need to find work (hopefully the job he has now will keep him on with interview flexibility - zero hours jobs are handy for students!)

OP posts:
Report
Delilahfandango · 17/08/2015 16:59

I can hardly believe that a whole year has gone by and how stressed and panicky I felt this time last year. DD went straight into a house as she didn't get a place in halls. It all worked out well - good housemates, nice property and she managed her finances well. She's grown up such a lot as well. Passed all her exams with good grades. She can't wait to go back and is going at the beginning of September. That means stuffing the car with all her belongings and dragging it all back. She's moving to a different house so it has all had to come home! I'm really relaxed about her going this year, and don't think I will be the gibbering wreck I was last year. I do feel her heart is in her uni city, so for her sake, will be pleased for her to be back there. It has been lovely to have her home thoughSmile

Report
Isthiscorrect · 27/08/2015 18:22

Oh yes this year is so different to last year. For sure I am much less worried about this year than last year. DS has gone back, he moved in yesterday. His boxes were due to be delivered from storage today but the truck was stuck in traffic after a crash today.
Its been a difficult summer, he didn't get to do much of the stuff planned due to tearing the ligaments in his leg before term ended. He is still in a cast after 8 weeks! Fortunately it is getting better. I went with him to help him find somewhere to live after being let down by his friends in June.
Good news though he has a job in halls with the freshers and he loves his new flat.
It's all so different this year. They really have grown up a lot.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.