((Hugs)) / Manly Back-Slaps (delete as appropriate) for all who have just said goodbye or are preparing to do so.
I've forked out for a Freshers Pass (£80 
) just to make things easier for DS. He says his 3 (female) flat-mates have them and intend to attend every single possible event 
. Am quite disappointed the pass is for mostly club nights and parties. Presumably more low-key events will be organised by Hall JCRs for those who don't want to face the prospect of getting home pissed at 2.00am in a strange town. Which is a useful life-skill, think on.. Ds isn't much of a drinker, but has witnessed enough crying, vomiting and falling over youthful high spirits at the very few parties he's attended to be aware of the pitfalls and consequences. Have given him The Talk about looking out for pissed mates who might be vulnerable.
Weepy and stupid at work this morning. Lovely elderly volunteer enquired after DS, who has been working with us since last October. He told me how his generation's rite of passage was National Service, not university, and how that was the first time he'd seen young men cry from homesickness. But they made all made friends too! Everyone is being so kind - many of my fellow workers have grandchildren at uni so have been through it themselves, and they're all very fond of DS.