Preparing for Uni in 2015 continues...

[Chillywhippet]

New thread

Old one here with loads of info

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/2408327-Preparing-for-Uni-in-2015

Quietly.

Skype is an amazing way to stay in contact. The whole family can join in the call and we even have grandparents on Skype with three way calls now. Can't recommend it enough.

Gipsy... I suggested to my ds that we buy a small clothes airer. "What for?" Was his genuine reply.
Oh dear

Mrs rhod I had a similar experience when I joined LSE in 2010 as a mature (commuting) postgraduate. I can't tell you how shocked I was as the contrast between the glossy brochures and some of the LSE Facebook groups eg the "will that f**king girl in the front row put down her hand" group.

I so wished I hadn't looked - it was a sort of grim sleazy underbelly that I wasn't supposed to see! I felt quite intimidated.

But when I arrived, I found lots of normal people, and it was ok. I think it's best to stay away from Facebook until you arrive if possible, and then meet actual people once you get there. I hate the casual cruelty of some of these online "groups".

I rather meanly comforted myself with the thought that all the students who were posting horrid stuff were screwing up their online footprint, which would come back to haunt them when they started looking for graduate employment!

We dropped dd2 off on Saturday, 4 of us all the way from the Kent coast to Edinburgh on the train ! We took 4 huge suitcases and 4 back packs
We bought her quilt and pillows when we got there, forgot toilet rolls and she needs to go and buy an airer.
She was a bit emotional on Saturday night but seems settled now, her older sister is going up for a visit next week and has already had about 15 text requesting things to be brought from home

DS is getting a bit quiet about it all. A friend came round last night to drop off a circular saw (as you do) and was brimming with excitement about heading off next week, and I think it's made things seem a bit too real.

to all those who have waved goodbye. DD has another 3 weeks and I'm trying not to think too much about it or I may well up.
We braved the kitchen section at Dunhelm yesterday and overheard a second year lad re-buying everything because all his stuff was lost or stolen last year
She has the theme for first freshers' event 'Back to the Future' she thought it meant futuristic, I thought 80s or 50s style, who's right? It will come down to what she wants to wear tbh so I will, of course, be wrong. Back to the Future came out the year I went to uni

Here we have continuing shenanigans with those lovely people from Student Finance. Now it's my turn to supply even more financial information....

Offspring very busy with friends - most will disappear this weekend.

Have determined that the local Wilko is going to supply our equipment needs. After a hold-up on the M6 on Sunday night, I am determined that I am not going near Walsall, Wolverhampton or Wednesbury for as long as possible.

Haha Marianne I remember the ongoing paperwork with student finance. When my circumstances changed and DD1 could get a grant I applied. I had to fill in and send loads of stuff by post. Then they asked me to fill in another form as well. I just sent as much info as possible. It was worth it

quietly Im going to be just like you. I know it dd is going tommorow. If I get too much spare time in my head. I start tearing up, because flashes of David Attenborough 'life story" series comes into my mind arghh.. then I think if I was dd age having the opportunity of moving away, going to an exciting city, meeting new people, experience life I never could at her age, I soon feel very excited for her. Their world is so big and exciting these days. So much to explore and experience.
Thank goodness for fancy gadgets and apps to help us still feel connected to our little ones unlike the olden days. DD has taught me how to whats app and face time last night. Im less anxious about her health and safety. Don't know why, I keep worrying she might starve.

Yes it's pretty nasty. Some of dds best friends are boys and she is happy to befriend anyone if they have a kind personality. She is now able to see the Facebook pages of about 50 in her hall. It's very hard to form an opinion from a few photos, particularly as girls tend tô put up pictures from nights out when they look incredibly glam. It is better to meet people I think and then decide who you get on with.

I've just added to the packing problem by buying a few bags worth of basic shopping items, toiletries,pasta,rice,beans tea,coffee etc. As they have to cook for themselves on weekend evenings I'm trying to find out what she would like to eat this weekend. There is a big night out on Saturday with 'predrinks' from 7. I think she was a bit overwhelmed that suddenly food won't just arrive. She's been in touch with her neighbour who is planning to take pizza so I think I'll get her one too. Might get a ready meal for Sunday, I think she will be a bit too shy to start cooking much.

I have a dd who starting this year and I have also just spent an hour in an orientation meeting with 100 freshers. Tell yours to bring a pen! Not everything is electronic. Also - read the handbook, check your email and ask if you need help.

I was invited to join the freshers facebook page (I'm sure by mistake) now I am tempted to keep an eye on it.

The FB pages are a bit of a double edged sword.
DD has loved meeting people on her course, and theyve been starting to plan some socials.
However she gets the feeling (hopefully wrongly) that many in her halls, and maybe even the rest of her flat are the clubbing type. So starting to stress she may be the only one that isn't.

circular DS is also not the clubbing or fancy dress type. He likes a drink with the best of them - but in a bar or pub. It is worrying that they may have nothing in common with the others in their flat - although there are 11 in DS's flat so hopefully they're not all into clubbing. I also worry that he may start off the evening by going out for a drink and then be the only one who doesn't want to go on to a club and being left to find his way back on his own in a less than sober state . He is not used to city life. He has lived the rural village life for his whole 18 years. Here he is safe to stagger home alone from the pub. I worry that at best he will get robbed or at worst beaten up in a city.

He has just been on his Uni accomodation Facebook page where there are students complaining they have been allocated single sex/alcohol free or quiet accomodation when they asked for standard accomodation. WHilst they might be unhappy, I feel sorry for those who did request this type of accomodation and who find themselves mixed in with people whom they will have little in common and whom they were specifically trying to avoid

Snap. And if I've checked my phone once I've checked it a million times. Am I allowed to ask which uni's you've all sent your children off to?

bigbluebus we had this problem with dd she wanted quiet accomodation non drinking ideally ensuite but because she got in uni as insurance. They could not give her choices but rather what was left. She initially was ok with halls but in the end she ended up going for private student appartment, she befriended a international student on student room who had already put a deposit down but changed her mind wanted to go to another uni. DD managed to get her accomodation for very reduced rent as the international student needed to shift her rooms otherwise she would be liable for the entire years rent if she cant find anyone to take over her rent. Her flat was still under construction so we only seen floor plans and showroom, so hopefully its going to alright . But now I worry she's not get going to make friends. Don't know whats best sometimes have friends maybe they a bit loud or few friends but lonelier existence. Hope it turns out alright for your DS.

bigbluebus we are also rural (have one village pub). DS has never been into town (his choice). It's a big worry isn't it.

My main worry is the first few big clubbing nights. The events run until 4am then they have to get themselves back in whatever state they're in in a strange city. When dd1 went she had a taxi card and spare cash in her purse so she could leave whenever she wanted, I think she lasted until about 1am and found someone else who'd had enough.

Maybe, as we're all saying our dc do not like to get absolutely plastered in clubs, there will actually be quite a lot like that. I think Saturday day and night will be absolutely overwhelming for them. Although dd knows her university city to shop in the day she has never been for a night out there.

bagpuss She will hopefully have the opportunity to make friends with people who are doing the same course. What subject is she studying? Are there any activities run by the Uni related to her course?
DS is doing an engineering course and they have an Icebreaker Challenge in Wk 1 so they will get to know the students on their course. Also his course has lab based practical teaching so he will be working in small groups rather than just sitting in a lecture theatre without speaking to anyone.

It certainly is PugaLugs. I really worry about how sheltered DS has been from the real world in his rural upbringing. He is just not streetwise - has rarely used public transport - school buses laid on and 'mum's taxi service' due to lack of transport in the evenings. He has only ever been away without us when he has gone with the school. This is going to be a steep learning curve for him and I am going to be a challenge for even the best quality hair dyes

bigbluebus she's doing a mathsy with sciency degree. I'm trying not to out her so being vague. As I created a thread for her when she was having some distress about missing her grades and not wanting to go to her insurance. DD was worried that it would get too rowdy in halls, she was told her course requires a lots of self studying time alone maybe thats the nature of maths, science engineering courses I think. She doesn't operate well if it's too noisy. In dd head the scenario of the toilet/bathroom being the busiest room if students in her halls are bladdered since she was having to share was what what pushed her to think she had to live with ensuite then to risk cleaning after them. Think she was being over dramatic about that though.
She's joined FB page for her course and also uni run a club for just fresher students living at home or private halls apparently they have planned a day out on the 27th so that's nice. From what dd says her appartment is predominantly international students hopefully they are friendly and not just want to be with students from their country of origin.

They will want to practise their english speaking skills bagpuss so should be keen to include her I think.

Just got a call from ds - he missed his departmental induction because ... He was in hospital getting x-Rays as he's fractured a bone in his ankle playing football

Woah Noitsnotteat What a dramatic start!

Hope he is ok & that someone will help with food shopping / bag carrying.

Oh no Noits! That's my worry. DS plays a lot of rugby and gets a lot of ankle injuries. I'm worrying about what he will do without mum and dad to drive him around if he hurts himself - especially as he's off campus. Is your ds able to walk and get around?

Crikey Noits, he'll not forget his Fresher's Week, will he?!
Hope he's OK and that his flatmates are being helpful