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

Higher education

Starting Uni next month!!!

16 replies

LollipopViolet · 04/08/2008 17:38

Hi all,

I'm starting my BA Hons Media Production in September, and I'm quite really scared!

I don't like change much anyway, but I've got other worries.

Will I make friends even though I'm living at home?
Will my lecturers be nice about my eyesight and the additional needs that brings up?
Will other students be understanding of said eyesight?
Will I have time for a social life?
Will I be skint even though I'm not getting a loan (getting a maintenance grant then paying off tuition fees out of my bank account)
What happens in the first week or so?

Lecturers/ex students/current students/mums of current students etc please help me!

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ten10 · 04/08/2008 18:00

I am a lecturer and can only speculate as there are no definite answers to any of your questions but:

You will make friends, there is a high probability that you won't be the only student living at home, it depends on the college you are attending, as some have a higher likelihood of this than others.

As long as all your lecturers know of any sight issues you may have they will accommodate this with all projects/lessons etc. and will be perfectly understanding. If you think that you need particular extra help then you are wise to get in contact you the course leader asap.

Other students are going to be very difficult to predict but the majority will probably be fine, they are supposed to be adults.

You will have time for a social life as long as you plan and manage your self directed study time well. Just don't let things pile up and if it does seem to be getting too much then have a word with your course leader. I have been very accommodating in the past to students who are parents as they have so much more to cope with than the other students.

You may well be skint but see how it goes and you can always apply for a loan part way through the year. Have you looked into if the college offers any bursaries on the fees to families of low income. My institution offers up to approx £1000 cash back on the fees, but only if the student is having them paid through the student loan.

The first week will probably only be for enrolment i.e. getting your student card, library card, etc
and freshers week i.e. freshers fair, lots of orgainsed drinking events and hopefully chances to make friends, join organisations etc (their may well be an organisation for students who are parents and this could be a good support group to investigate.

Hope this helps

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LollipopViolet · 04/08/2008 18:25

Thanks for the tips Although, as I've said in most other threads, I'm not a parent just yet (not ready) but feel this is a place I can ask advice on issues my own family are unsure of (and uni is new ground for all of us though). I've got a Disabled Students Allowance thing on Wednesday so that should help course wise.

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ten10 · 04/08/2008 18:36

Sorry didn't realise you weren't a parent, just assumed.

You will be fine, probably everyone will be in the same boat as you i.e. new students, so are probably worried too.

Even though you are going to be living at home I would recommend going along to the student bar on the Sunday night before enrolment as this is when the students who are going to be living in halls will be moving in and they all tend to go to the student union bar to socialise on their first night.

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3andnomore · 07/08/2008 14:13

Just want to wish you best of luck

I am starting University in September, too and am starting to freak out a bit....I suppose it's quite a normal feeling....!

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LollipopViolet · 27/08/2008 09:22

Well, I've enrolled (online, posh eh?) so there's no going back now. I'm part excited, part nervous. I think it'll be a really good experience though, might will boost my confidence and make me a better person.

Still scary though, the thought of being a first year again, like it was in secondary school, and college.

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SubRosa · 27/08/2008 15:25

It does seem scary, but it's definitely worth every penny! Most students will be friendly, but there may be one or two who are surprised that there's an 'old' person studying. In terms of making friends, as Ten10 pointed out, this depends to some extent on the uni you're attending. The uni I'm at has a relatively small percentage of mature students.

If you've got the time, try to get to as many uni social events for mature students as possible, it's a great way of making new friends, as it's all too easy to become isolated, especially at some of the larger unis.

Hope this helps

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LollipopViolet · 27/08/2008 17:11

Hehehe, I'm not old, I'll be 19 in December. I'm studying Media Production at Staffs Uni. Will definately try and get out as much as I can though

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Peachy · 27/08/2008 17:19

Just absed on my experiences, finished Uni this year

Will I make friends even though I'm living at home? That didn't have anything t do with t, many students don't ;ve in halls, virtually none at most places after Year 1.

Will my lecturers be nice about my eyesight and the additional needs that brings up? Yes. they have to be.

Will other students be understanding of said eyesight? usually, although there's a prat everywhere.

Will I have time for a social life? Depends on so many variables- didn't particualrly but in fairness I had 3, 2 with sn and one on the way LOL. If you do now chances are you will then.

Will I be skint even though I'm not getting a loan (getting a maintenance grant then paying off tuition fees out of my bank account) Yes. But you will be amongst poeple who are also skint so you won't feel it as much.

What happens in the first week or so? Registration, freshers week (at our Uni a waste of time)- just a chance to gad about, meet poeple, get yourself acquainted with library etc

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Peachy · 27/08/2008 17:20

Oh and get yurself ont facebook- lots of Uni's have groups where you can 'meet' people

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SubRosa · 27/08/2008 20:12

I didn't realise you were 19, LV, I thought you were an old bat like me

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LollipopViolet · 09/09/2008 13:41

No, I'm 18, turning 19 in December. I'm really excited about Sunday/Monday now, because it's gonna be a big adventure. Just need to make sure my support is there for my VI problems.

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trumpetgirl · 09/09/2008 16:19

I'm a single mother studying at university, and have never gone out, or lived in halls. I have friends who are 5 years younger than me and some that are older.
First week will be freshers week, so get yourself out to some events and you'll meet all sorts of people.
I have friends who have to work part time so they can have a social life, and they do fine.
Time can always be found to socialise. I think that is just as important as getting good grades. University is an experience that you will never have again. Make the most of it!
There will also be lots of societies to join, where you can meet like minded people (even just silly things like watching Neighbours!)
The staff will definately be understanding about your eyesight. I know someone who gets all of the lecture notes printed for him (or photocopied off someone else.) I have to bring my daughter to lectures sometimes if I can't get childcare!!
Some students are just daft and annoying, but you will find that it is slightly better than school, and that you will make good friends who don't care what other people think about you.
Don't worry about anything, it'll be fantastic!!!

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LollipopViolet · 12/09/2008 21:09

I've booked a ticket to go go karting on Tuesday! Can't wait. Tomorrow I'm going to get all my papers ready for Sunday (Student Card pick up) and Monday (Meeting tutors, classmates etc) Can't believe I've booked onto an event without knowing who's going!

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trumpetgirl · 12/09/2008 21:15

Hope you have a great time

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toadstool · 12/09/2008 21:36

Hi,

Enjoy the freshers week, and enjoy uni! A couple of pointers (I'm a lecturer):

Ask lecturers (esp. the ones who talk quickly...) if you can audio record their lecture/seminars - I always say yes -. If the audio quality is poor, they can usually give you a typed copy of the lecture. PowerPoint is trendy just now, and you might find that some lecturers are letting visuals do the talking for them - if this is going to be challenging at all, do let them know.

Remember to register with any student disability support services, even if you don't want to v much. It's the only way you can be supported for extra time requests for exams, typing support, etc.

HTH