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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Class of 18. No need for new school shoes

739 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 29/08/2019 07:16

Old thread:www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/3478916-Class-of-18-now-in-2019-blimey

A thread for those of us whose kids left school/sixth form/college a year ago. Friendly chat :)

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marmiteloversunite · 13/09/2019 23:06
Grin
OhYouBadBadKitten · 13/09/2019 23:09

Massive hugs Ursula.

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Knotaknitter · 14/09/2019 07:52

Ursula I'm so sorry but when you have to do it, you know you have to do it. I have all the forms for fostering but held off because I wasn't sure what my life would look like going forward and although it's a shorter term commitment I do want to make sure that I'm in it for the right reasons.

We looked after an elderly canine despot while his family was on holiday and he fitted right in but he hated going in the car which interfered with my granny visiting schedule.

UrsulaPandress · 14/09/2019 08:18

I realise now how lucky we were with BastardSpaniel.

Foster dogs could end up being too much but I'm hoping it will help me to bridge the gap. A pet free home just doesn't feel right.

Bronzegate · 14/09/2019 09:10

UrsulaPandress so sorry to hear about your dog.

HardwickWhite yes, but posting under a different name. If I forgot to PM you then let me know.

DS is going back next weekend. He is self-catering this year and needs kitchen stuff, so today is shopping day.

HesMyLobster · 14/09/2019 09:28

@UrsulaPandress so sorry to hear about your dog Sad
We had to have dbeagle pts in October and I still cry every day, despite now having the most adorable dpup.
I wanted to wait a year or so to get another but DH couldn't cope without a dog in the house so we got a little tiny ball of golden fluff back in April. He's now roughly the size of a small pony, a complete goof ball but utterly gorgeous!

Currently writing from DDs new room (her bed in fact!) - she was right they have done a lot of cleaning since I was last here. And covered the place in fairy lights, photos and cushions. It's actually lovely. And she's just brought me coffee in bed. Room service! I might stay again!

Sunndowne · 15/09/2019 19:58

Sorry to hear about dogs. I have 2 rescue cats for13 years and had to pts one in May. I cried a lot despite her being a difficult cat to care for over the years. So I surprised myself. First pets ever who brought my kids up!,Smile

Go for that fostering Ursula, you sound a natural with animals.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 15/09/2019 20:57

That's lovely Lobster :)

Remind them please that they need to register their new addresses for voting purposes.

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HesMyLobster · 15/09/2019 22:03

DD was way ahead of me on that - I mentioned it in the car on the way down but her voting confirmation letter was on the doormat when we arrived - her first post to her new address.

They also had a letter (fairly threatening in tone!) from the TV license people - so that's another thing to think about if dc are moving to private house shares etc.

They don't even have a television but apparently still have to have a license.

UrsulaPandress · 15/09/2019 22:50

? No tv but need a licence? That can't be right surely?

DD is off out to a Freshers event in the city tonight. She is getting the bus. Oh how I'd love to see that. Full slap and some skimpy arse skimming outfit. She'll fit right in.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 16/09/2019 06:54

If they aren't watching tv while plugged in and all residents have family homes where their parents have a tv license they don't need one.

Class of 18. No need for new school shoes
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Bronzegate · 16/09/2019 06:55

They are covered by a TV licence for the parental home if they are watching on a device that runs on its own batteries (not plugged into the wall).

They don't need a TV licence at all to watch streamed non-live TV e.g. Netflix.

Ginfordinner · 16/09/2019 08:36

Sorry to hear about your dog Ursula
The guilt we feel when we make those decisions is awful, even when you look at it rationally and know that it was the kindest thing.

DD's CFS doesn't seem to be improving at all. She had a solid 8 hours sleep last night and has woken up shattered. She has a questionnaire to fill in for university and she needs to make sure that they are fully aware of this. I hope she can pace herself for freshers week, although I think she will miss out on loads of activities.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 16/09/2019 09:10

That's difficult Gin it may be that the stress of going away is flaring it up?

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starfleet · 16/09/2019 15:17

So sorry to hear about BS Ursula. We had our cat pts sleep a few years ago. We had her for 15 years and DS's first word was cat. He treated her like a human and talked to her as such when he was very young. Not been able to have another pet since.

DS moved back last weekend. Into the house that Jack built. It's all lovely, modern and clean as they are the first tenants but there are some unfinished bits that he and his flatmates didn't 'see' - you'd think they would realise that there were no fixings bolting one of the toilets down..... one of the things about working in the industry I do I notice this stuff - I went round with a camera and made a snagging list for them to send to the letting agency. To be fair to them it only took them 24 hours to respond and send the maintenance guy round. He has also discovered an 'acceptable' barber - one of his major stresses.....

ShanghaiDiva · 17/09/2019 01:14

Sorry to hear about your dog Ursula?
When is your dh's surgery?
ds goes back next week. It's all so much less stressful this year: he has his house, a friend stored all of his stuff over the summer holidays so just one suitcase to take back.
Lectures start on 30th so he has nearly a week to sort shopping, sign up for any activities and settle into the house. One of them is bringing a tv so they will need to pay for a licence.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 17/09/2019 06:30

How are you doing Ursula?

dd goes back into halls in just over two weeks, she's still finishing up her summer internship. Hopefully she has a nice quiet room. We've a couple of plates to buy after she had a smashing time last year Wink but other than that we've not thought at all about packing or similar.

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Knotaknitter · 17/09/2019 07:44

We're off today, I am already sick of hearing myself say "do you know where X is?" I'll take him for lunch and then let him get down to finding out what it is he forgot to pack. The kitchen and bedroom/bathroom stuff will be all there because it went straight into the garage but the stuff that went into his room may or may not make it into a case.

Bronzegate · 17/09/2019 07:59

Last year DS was in catered halls with shared bathroom. This year he'll be in a studio flat with its own kitchenette (no kettle or toaster provided). He and I did a shopping trip to buy kitchen equipment and some other items he needed.

He only owns two pairs of jeans (both ripped) so I'm taking him clothes shopping today.

We pay for his accommodation, but other than that he has never asked for anything, nor asked for any money, and I'd like to treat him before he goes.

Nettleskeins · 17/09/2019 08:30

Ds1 is pathetically grateful when I buy him clothes. To the extent that I was thinking I could buy him yellow cords and a interesting colour woollen jumper to brighten his life up...he would wear them, whatever I bought.when he is cold and has run out of clean things.Have been v careful to buy cool colours up to now..black polonecks that sort of thing.
He buys himself horrid clothes from Primark when he is desperate for socks, clean teeshirts, so Im trying to avoid that scenario.
This last year has been brilliant for teaching him about laundry..he now expects no laundry services, and very much organises it himself, as so he should!!
We have heard nothing since I accompanied him back. He is over the moon about his new room, which is quite large, and near the river and the shops, an awkward triangle is taken out of it by the ensuite though..for some reason he has a room designed for wheelchair users, evidently there wasn't anyone who needed it this year, and it is part of a flat of 8 people. Another nice thing about the room is that the "front" door is incredibly light, and being dyspraxic he struggled with heavy fire doors so that is a bonus.The person opposite plays the clarinet, so I'm hoping this person will be a good influence and encourage him in cultural pursuits, whatever they may be! -not pub crawling
This year, I bought him no groceries, or anything really, except shampoo and soap, which I know he gets very worried about running out of. I did buy him an alarm clock, which he promptly dropped, and broke, - then in a complete tizzy about that..
He has left his box room at home/room in a fuggy state though - it feels very odd not having him there. But he kept such dreadful hours this holidays, it is a relief to think he will be bustling around at university - a beautiful Meadow across the road. Last year he was miles from the main hub, although he didn'tmind, this year he is right in the centre.

Nettleskeins · 17/09/2019 08:35

Ds has left behind the following essentials. The guide to Music Theory. Lives of the Composers. A Star is Born - Judy Garland version (which i have been nagging him to watch for the whole summer as he is obsessed by La La Land) The pillowcase that matches his duvet. His posters.

UrsulaPandress · 17/09/2019 08:37

I'm ok thanks. I miss him terribly as he was always by my side. I have no reason to get up in the morning, nor to go out. Struggle sitting at my desk as he was always lying on my feet. But time heals.

Not got a date yet for DH's op. He has his pre OP this week so hoping to get a date then. I want to book a European city break with a friend for early next year so would like to know when he will be fit enough to drive and look after himself.

Dd is settling in to her y2 accommodation but has been incommunicado as she has been reading The Testaments. She sent me a text at 1.30 am to say she has finished it so I may need to drive over to collect it.

She is off to London tomorrow to see Tyler the Creator. 🙄

Nettleskeins · 17/09/2019 08:46

I bought Ds the Testaments on the way to university town, at the WHSmith. He looked aghast at the fact that he might have to read something, but he is very interested in the Handmaid's Tale Dramatised series, and did it for A level (although I'm not sure if he actually ever read it properly). Oryx and Crake is wonderful too - has she read that? Dystopian, but different characters.

Hardwickwhite · 17/09/2019 18:37

I am sorry about your sad news Ursula. They do leave a big hole don't they, especially when it gets to "that time of day' and you would normally be taking them out.

DDs cat has survived her first year away, which was pretty unexpected. He is only 17, but is creaky and quiet. We do worry about him.

It took me a minute to realise what you all meant when you spoke about buying the Testaments. I honestly thought I had missed a fashion for deep reading of the bible! I bought DD a book of interviews with female musicians this week as a start of term gift. She was delighted and told me she still had the tab open on her laptop from thinking about treating herself.

One of her course buddies has a different elective from her this semester, and found herself in a three hour lecture yesterday. I cannot even begin to imagine such hell!

@NoHaudinMaWheest is your DD back now too? Has she settled well back into halls?

Sunndowne · 17/09/2019 19:06

DD goes back in 3 weeks. Only time she's been home so it's nice.
Sadly, I'm slightly worried for my older DS who has just moved back to his uni town to commute to a very good grad job. His flatmate, a lovely uni friend has lived at home thru most of uni and now doing a PHD wants to try to be independent. 2nd day in, she's gone to cinema with her mum. Hope my DS won't be lonely!! Starts job monday, hope has more new friends soon. Do feel a bit worried- will this stop????

Good luck with DH's op Ursula. Hope you are all enjoying the bittersweet peace that comes when they return to uni.

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