Tales from the first term - how are they getting on?

[seagull70]

I thought that a catch up would be nice to see how everyone is getting on as we haven't really chatted since the build up to results and clearing.

DT1 - loving it. Quite a few issues with her accommodation and a few glitches with her course but everything seems to be coming together. She loves her flatmates (she is the only one of two English students in her flat, so is loving the multicultural aspect).

She has made so many friends and has socialised more in the last few weeks then she ever has before! She is doing loads of cooking too. One of her flatmates has his mum come over once a week to do his laundry and another was caught trying to fry an egg last week without actually cracking the egg first. Just an egg in its shell sitting on a hot dry pan

DT2 - very wobbly to begin with. She's in Belfast so not that close. We stayed for 3 days with her just to get her through all the initial bits as she was very very panicky. She has gradually found her feet though and is loving her course. Has taken delivery of a lab coat and dissection kit and can't wait to get into the gory side of things. I think that around 80% of her weekly budget goes on booze, 15% on books and laundry costs and approx 5% on food


Lovely Boy - a wobbly start again and a few issues with finance but he's getting on with housemates and gradually finding his feet. His course is a killer though. Pretty much 9 till 6!


They all seem different somehow, more confident and grown-up. Will all be home for 'Reading Week' though at end of this month so I'm bracing myself for the wonderful chaos

How are your DCs getting on? Hopefully no disasters and everyone is settling in x

[cricketballs]

DS has settled in well. He's getting on with his flat mates, they have rotas for kitchen etc and are doing bulk purchases to save costs (for instance they went and brought a shower mat together on Saturday!).

He's got into a routine of working, cleaning, washing etc (and he's sent pics of his room being clean nearly fainted when they came through.

He's liking his lectures although there is one whose accent he is struggling to understand and hes just been issued with his first assignment.

He's joined the cricket team (waiting to hear which squad he is in) and hes looking for a part time job now he knows his way around.

He is doing far better than we thought as he is a home bird I'm just glad he has also got into the habit of calling me once a week

[seagull70]

That's lovely cricket

[Needmoresleep]

And nice to hear, Seagull, that the accommodation is working out.

[CakeUpWall]

DS is only on day 2! I feel somewhat that I'm lagging behind most other parents; still at the big-DS-sized-hole-in-the-household stage.

He's loving it so far though - phew! He hasn't started on his timetable yet, still in Freshers' week, but everything seems to be lovely so far. Fingers crossed it continues that way!

[Crazy8]

My DS started quite late at his uni compared to his friends. I feel like I'm also lagging behind.

He is also not very good at communicating himself so I have had to call him. Sounds like he's enjoying himself though. Hope it continues.

[seagull70]

merlin your daughter sounds similar to mine. I think that Uni has given her the chance to reinvent herself a little though as she certainly seems to be gaining in confidence and making lots of really interesting friends.

I agree about numerous clubs and societies - I think it's one of the best ways of finding people that you have something in common with (even if they are all crazy).

Your DD sounds as if she is doing amazingly well

Good luck to those of you who's DC's are still settling in, I think that ours really enjoyed Freshers week but were keen to get into lectures and start a routine of sorts.

[BackforGood]

My ds is loving it - been there nearly 3 weeks.

I get regular reports on things he's cooked, and lots of questions about bank accounts and the student loan and accommodation payment, but not much mention of lectures or work! .

Fortunately seems to be really lucky with his flatmates - all seem to get on and have similar outlooks, so that's a relief.

[Littleham]

Apart from one night with food poisoning (what did she cook?) dd1 has got on well. She is really interested in the course and has joined some societies. She is running as language representative (quite brave, as she has always been an introvert & follows some of the same traits as your dc's). Doesn't like the clubbing though, so not taking part in that.

The only downside is that she is in a flat where she is the only fresher, so not much interaction there. Hopefully she will still find someone to share with next year.

[Kez100]

DD loving it and has coped with a couple of issues thrown at her admirably.

The main wobble was when she was followed home from Uni one night. We had tears on the phone but insistence from her that she only wanted some support until her flatmates came home and that she would go to welfare the next day, when it was light. She did, gave a descriptive statement and has been quite happy with their help and advice.

Her flatmates are all really nice and they are starting to really get to know each other now. They all seem to accept their differences and there is no pressure for any to be something they are not. They seem to be one of the flats others come to for a chat, which is nice and they are getting to know others that way too.

Her course is her passion and she is so lucky to be good enough to study it at this level and she knows that. So, she is working hard and loving the work and the challenge.

We are going to see her tomorrow for a day - really excited! Especially as I was unable to be with her the day she actually moved in.

[boys3]

DS1 only started last weekend so early days. Quite monosyllabic when dropped off and not at all keen for any of us to stay beyond getting the car unloaded. All a little worrying.

However first contact made yesterday evening when he skyped us and was in quite ebullient mood. Seems to have made a number of friends, was rather pleased with himself about the amount of free pizza he'd managed to get at Freshers' Fair, and similarly impressed that had managed to go punting and not, unlike some others, fall in. Had just had his first supervision and first essay to get done for the following week, however seemed very up beat about that too. I think I can easily forgive the fact that he skyped during the bake off final, although I do now wonder about his priorities :). Lectures started today, and I am staggered that he has a 9.00am lecture every day of the week this term - given he's doing a humanities subject. Still gets him up and out so no bad thing.

Really pleased that others are settling in well.

[lismore]

DS1 also only started last weekend. I think he has settled in really well, it's me that's finding it much harder anticipated. I've had 3 brief texts and a phone call when he didn't have time to talk, but just needed some information he'd left at home. He says he 'might' have time to skype 'briefly' this weekend :(

[seagull70]

Lismore - maybe he's just wrapped up in the excitement of his first week. I know that freshers week is an exciting time but all 3 of ours were also really caught up in the 'admin' side of things. There was a fair amount of paperwork and meetings regarding enrolment and meeting tutors etc. it seemed pretty stressful at times.

Does he have his timetable yet.? I'm sure that once he's settled into a routine they'll open up an obvious window for Skype calls etc.

I know that both my daughters also find it hard to chat on the phone in their rooms as the walls are paper thin!

He'll get homesick soon and will suddenly feel an urge to talk to you

[PurpleAlert]

Dd went off to Loughborough two weeks ago now. The two weeks before she left were horrendous- loads of tears- panics about all manner of things- she's very much a home bird- was particularly worried about not being able to sleep ( she has fibromyalgia so it's a big concern.)

She has settled in brilliantly and is just loving it. Her halls are very new and she is in a lovely flat with 4 others. Lovely ensuite rooms with a huge kitchen. She has joined the dance society and the gym so lots to keep her occupied. I am very relieved! . She has made loads of friends and is loving her course.

They seem to put loads of support in for the freshers to help them settle in. Each flat is assigned a freshers helper who helps them find their way around
( it is a huge campus) and get them involved with all the activities which seemed to have prevented her getting too homesick. They seem to lay on alternative freshers activities for those who don't like to party. All very well organised and thought out- I am very impressed- very different to when went to uni where we were very much left to our own devices.

She does call and text alot (thank God for FaceTime ) but generally seems content. She is coming home next weekend- three whole nights at home- really looking forward to seeing her!

[whatsinaname01]

Hi Purple. DS went to Loughborough and seems to be loving it.

He is not one for partying/drinking but has signed up for lots of sporting activities- he seems very busy, infact so busy he is not coming home until Christmas!
I even suggested that we would go up and see him but he's happy to see us in Dec how will I cope.So been having lots of as I'm in .

Glad he is so independant but crickey it's happened quickly.

Good job I have a DD still at home

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

Lovely to hear that everyone's DCs are settling in well, despite a few wobbles.

DD1 is having a fantastic time, loving her course - it's something she wanted to do since she was small so on the way to fulfilling a dream

We've had lots of communications, including quite a lot about her course as well as socialising and shopping. I've had a laundry question, a cooking question and a finance question so far! She doesn't like clubbing and doesn't drink but has found similar friends so is happy. Last Saturday night three of them decided to use the accomodation laundry as they guessed it would be fairly unused at that time. They took some crisps and popcorn and chatted while watching the washing go round!

Let's hope the rest of the term goes well.

[Crazy8]

Just ordered our Friday evening takeaway. It normally comes to around £35/£40 for 2 adults and 3dc. Today without DS1 here it came to £19.

[secretsquirrels]

DS also has 9 am lectures every day together with a staggering amount of work. Luckily he is hugely excited about the work. He hasn't got much free time but seems to be doing ok on the domestic front and sharing the cooking with his flat mates.
We had the takeaway thing last week Crazy, so cheap we might do it more often.

[CakeUpWall]

I've found this evening really hard; our first Friday evening without DS1. Not really looking forward to this weekend. I think I was OK whilst busy with normal weekday routine stuff, but as soon as I had time to myself I started missing my baby. Dramatic much?

Hey ho, i reckon this week will be the worst. by next week I'll be ready to tackle the bomb-site that is his room. How's everyone else managing?

[BOFster]

Oh Cake, leave the room for now! I really need to do the same, but I'm putting it off until I can be sure I won't end up sobbing into dd1's pillows .