Class of '18 still nattering.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

forgot the old link hang on a mo...

shanghai
To be honest I’m not happy with dds uni either everything has been sent this week and not very much information either.
It’s move in day! Train is at 2pm

Kitten, I'm a bit late having just seen this. We are on the train to take ds1. Dd has come with us as an extra pair of hands so everything he needs is in: 3 rucksacks, 2 back packs, 1 hold all and 2 suitcases. We each have 2 bags so we can manage on the underground.
I did a click an collect order at asda for bedding etc which we will get once he's unpacked and have arranged a grocery shop to be delivered this afternoon.
We also have to find a local argos to order a clothes airer once we know how much room he has and get some bits to make it feel more homely.
I've packed photos in his bag for him to find and plan to buy frames etc when we get there. We still need to know the hob type so we can get saucepans but he does have a masher!

I had a wobble last night and spent a fair amount of time crying- fortunately I made it to bed first so he has no idea and I'm fine at the moment. We think there is someone else from his uni on the train as they have a massive costume with them that fits the brief for one of the freshers events.

Good luck to everyone else moving today.

Good news Lonicera hopefully this will mean she's a bit more positive about the year ahead.

I am doing my first load of washing brought home. The Megabus is £15 return (after NUS card discount), the train for open day was an arm and a leg so this is a much better option. It's taken him a week to settle but his flat is now sharing cooking and is BFF with the flat immediately below. The course organisation has been a little.....fluid shall we say? Whole afternoon's activities cancelled in the morning, no timetable for Monday yet (or has he not looked for it?). You only ever see the situation through their eyes so who knows?

Best wishes for all those dropping off today.

It's good to know it can be done LDG (never know what to shorten your name to) It will be just me and dd but I could if needed get the train back the next day with anything else she needs.

Good luck to everyone dropping off today. I'm thinking of you Try not to cry in front of the DC. Upbeat and positive is the aim, just like on the first day of school. You can cry on the way home if you need to (or if on public transport you may prefer to hold it in til you get home)

DD went out yesterday with her friends. Most of them leave today or tomorrow, although her best friend leaves on Tuesday for a gap year on the other side of the world. DD is at her last shift at work here, still waiting to hear if she can transfer work to uni town.

Good Luck and safe travels to those taking DCs today.

DS has just let me know that he is going to do some washing today....he said he will FaceTime when he is in the laundry room...lucky me

Good luck drummer New job meant I couldn’t book today off for dd and I wasn’t supposed to be working but I’ve being called in sadly...
Dds Uber is booked and there’s been a lot of tears shed.

She leaves at 2

Good luck to all those leaving this weekend, especially those braving public transport.

lonerica sounds as if things are moving forwards.

I'm hoping DD will find the laundry today...

Good Luck all for today.
DD leaves tomorrow - I think the pile of stuff accumulated in the dining room has doubled overnight!
I did manage to consolidate the 2 large suitcases she'd packed with clothes into 1 (who even has 12 hoodies, let alone needs to take them all?!!)

She’s gone! I’ve had a cry at work. I feel guilty she’s not been able to travel by car but also because I wasn’t there to see her off.
I just hope she keeps her wits about her in London

That must be hard Fantasy but don't beat yourself up as there was nothing you could do.

We just facetimed with DD. We all spoke to her for ages, and then when we had to say goodbye to get the others out to an activity, her little chin wobbled. Oh my, I hope this gets easier soon. SIL kindly (and I mean that) told me we will always feel this way, and it is not a bad thing, just getting used to it takes time.

That's hard Fantasy. She will be grand in London, it's not so scary really.

Hugs Hardwick.

we've done an experimental pack. Looks like we can get the essentials into two large suitcases and two hiking rucksacks leaving one big box and her bike to follow on. It's going to kill me, but we will manage. Her little cactus family will have to follow on as well :(

I'm sorry you're feeling sad fantasy and Hardwick. Don't beat yourself up about it, your dds will be fine. The first week or so is bound to be difficult on both sides but it works out well for the vast majority of students.

Fantasy when I went to uni one of my best friends arrived on her own. She was absolutely fine and knew her parents would have been there if they could. Your DD knows how much you wanted to be there for her and I'm sure she will be in contact soon to tell you all about it.

Fantasy in some ways I found it easier that DD left me rather than I had to leave her iyswim.

Lonicera that all sounds very positive and exciting for your DD! So pleased for you.

My DD has very shy/non partying flatmates so far. I have encouraged her to keep trying to interact. The only other girl has a boyfriend who she is parting with. Luckily DD has a friend in the same halls so they have been going to things together. This poor girl was told today that they put her in the wrong flat and she had to move all of her stuff. DD helped but what a nightmare!

I am proud of myself today. Had a shower and a little cry in the shower. Then got dressed and put on make up. DH and DD2 took me to Costa for an outing. Totally wiped me out but happy to get out. Been napping all afternoon. Bedroom looks like a flower and chocolate shop so I am feeling very grateful/loved.

Hope all of the drop offs today have been ok.

Drop-off done and we're back home. We stayed long enough to help him unpack, make the bed and have a cup of tea & some cake in the key collection lounge.

DS1 room is at the far end of the corridor, so nobody is likely to walk past. Luckily, one of his neighbours had the door propped open, so he went and introduced himself. We helped them both find the food court (catered accommodation), gave DS1 a quick hug goodbye and left him there with his new friend.

No tears (from him or me).

Marmite - sounds like a lovely afternoon hope you are feeling stronger 💐

I'm so glad you could get out marmite. It's the path to starting to feel human again.

Well done Third!

Hands up, which one of you was shopping in a Kent Sainsbury earlier with your daughter, and said ‘potato masher. I Wondered whether you needed one of these the other day?’!!

(Or was it on the Facebook uni site that potato mashers were discussed?)

This is the home of potato mashers.
The FB group is the home of cacti and vacuum bags.

Drop off done and dusted - was fairly stress free, unpacked everything then went to the local Tesco which was heaving with parents and students stocking up!

Saw a few of her new flat mates and then she basically kicked us out. She text later to say she had made some friends and they are planning on going out tonight so sounds like all is good socially.

Felt a little emotional returning home and seeing her empty bedroom but have held back the tears so far.

Good luck to everyone else dropping off this weekend.

Well done everyone.. Hope all the DC settle in and make friends.

Marmite glad you managed a trip out.

DD's flat has a cleaner once a week for the communal areas, she complained when she rang on Tuesday that they had to clean/tidy for the cleaner coming!

Glad you managed to get out marmite.

I wonder how I will feel in a year's time. Relieved I think. If DD goes to Newcastle she will have her auntie and cousins nearby.

DD just FaceTimed and said she's feels as though she has been there forever. Not bothering to come home tomorrow. planning food with her new mates.

Lovely to know she is settled.