First Year exams ( continued from prep for uni and starting uni 2015)

[voilets]

Dear all,

I have really enjoyed these threads. So if anyone else wants to keep up posts on DC travelling through trials and tribulations of uni life - do post here.

Have your DC been revising at all for instance? Do you now stand back?

I love hearing what DS is up to, work and otherwise, as do I others' DCs , especially those who were going through admissions at the same time. That's not exactly the same as driving up and standing over his desk . As well as being enjoyable I've had some really good advice given to me on threads like these - long may they continue.

I almost wish Ds was a secret reviser NiceCardigan - it would mean we could all use the dining table more over the holidays.

One of the things I learned when I was at university was that my parents were no longer there for me.

Over one holiday period - Xmas in the first year - I had to have a minor operation, involving the removal of a ganglion. I was meant to wear a sling, which meant it would be impossible to get the two suitcases I had brought home with me back to university via public transport.

I asked my mother, 'What shall I do? I can't get my luggage back to college.'

Her reply?

'You should have thought of that.'

Marianne ,
'You should have thought of that.'

I went to university in my first term with a big suitcase on the train (not even a wheely one) and even I think that is possibly a little harsh.

Ds has done exams - 2 marks to come back - the first is fairly solid which is good - the second we await him letting us know - tbf he may not have it - he didn't at the weekend.

When DD1 went, I kept an open mind about how much contac there would be, leaving her to drive it. To be honest, I was in her face a bit too much about schoolwork when she was here.
She's in contact most days, which is lovely. Bounces ideas off DH and I and even DD2 sometimes. Puts me in my place if I ask if she's meeting deadlines, or remembered an appointment. Find hat quite difficult, as she has organisational issues.
At first I always waited for her to contact, but now she's settled, don't hesitate to drop her a text first. She loves little bits of gossip from home rather than all the talk being about what she up to, as it was at first.

l love hearing how everyone else's DC are doing as well as sharing practical tips.

Long may these threads go on!

dd2 is the same circular - chatty but independent. dd1 is very self contained but when we do hear from her she is happy.

dd2 is leading up to exams now and has bought vast quantities of snacks to get her through. Good marks on her coursework so far. She is very excited about the modules for next year.

DS contacted me on Friday to say there had been rumours that a student had died in their accommodation and then everyone received an email from the uni confirming it .

How dreadful Pugs. Must be very unsettling for them all. There was a murder near dd's halls a few months ago. She was more worried about it than I expected. I think they feel it more when they are away from home

PUGS - how awful. How is your DS? Feel so much for the family of the student - what a shock for everyone.

My DD had her first exam today - it was a long one! She gets extra time and rest breaks so all in she was there for 4hrs 30 minutes! All done but no overly confident about it though!

Terrible PUGs. Especially for the flat mates and friends.

dd2 has her first exam on Friday. It has mostly been course work. I feel for the university as they are dealing with unwelcome visitors at the moment. Hasn't caused any problems for dd so far.

From the tone of his whatsapp convo I think he found it very upsetting. I found it upsetting as all I could think about was we are going to pick him up on the 20th to bring him home and the poor family of the student will not be able to do that with their child.

DS has an exam on the 16th, he has finished everything else, handed his work in about 10 days ago.

4hrs 30 mins Quietly

I have been reading about the experiences of your DC with interest, DS 1 now finished his exams & will be back home from the 27th for 2 months , then back to Edinburgh to his new flat & to work during the festival. I am looking forward to having him back. He has thoroughly enjoyed first year & seems to have made some good friends. DS 2 going into 6th year in August so back to open days & prospectus. Hope everyone's exams go well.

Am a bit sad my Ds has said a few times he feels a bit lost. Meaning that the topics are really challenging and there is no-one really to ask. Exams coming. He's aiming to pass first year. He should do a bit better than that but his course is all so very new to him and apparently Eng. degrees can be overwhelming first year.

Poor love. I want to help and can't really. Just there for him.

Sorry to hear that Violets Hopefully, he's just having a moan and will feel more positive sooner rather later.

Hi everyone, just popping in to see how everyone is.
PUGS, that is awful

Haven't heard from DS for a couple of weeks. I have no idea when his exams are or when he is expecting me or DH to collect him. He'll probably ring up and expect us to drop everything to go the next day and fetch him...

voilets, would your DS speak to Student Services do you think?

That's terrible PUGS, that poor DCs family and friends.

Voilets Would your DS have a tutor/senior tutor that has a drop session, where he could go and discuss his exam concerns?
Did he have exams last Senester, or are these the first for his course?
Hopefully just a wobble.

Ds only has 3 exams - or as he puts it 2 and a half including one on a Saturday which seems a bit mean .. I'm not sure exactly what constitutes a half exam but presumably it means less revision...

That is awful PUGS - poor student and their family. Ds is feeling quite wobbly as he found out that one of his friends from primary school died last week (suicide)

voilets ds has found the university wellness centre very helpful when he's been feeling low - they will presumably have something similar at your ds' uni

Hello all, I haven't popped in for a long while, but have been following you all since sixth form and feel like I know you! We've shared a lot together .

Pugs and Noits, how shocking for those poor families.

I'd also like to say how much I enjoy the support and friendliness of this thread, it really helps to know what others are going through. Sometimes especially the negative stuff that no one in real life seems to admit to!

Violets, DS1 is also doing an engineering course, second year now, and yes, they're really hard! Has he got friends on his course that he could talk through difficulties with? Or second or third years who may be able to help (poss not in exam season though). He may find he's not alone, and sometimes it really helps to talk through the difficult subject with a peer.

One of dd1's university friends died (also a suicide). dd1 was upset and started getting really bad insomnia. The thing that really helped a lot was talking with her tutor who was very helpful.

voilets - hope your ds finds someone to help with the course.

thank you for posts.

Ds does have a mentor. His personal tutor has been reasonably helpful but he can't seem to ask a lot of academic questions - apparently that is not what they are for.

At end of year, we may go with son to student services to see how they can help next year - if they can.

We also have provided a bit of support in an online tutor who he can ask questions of - which has really helped. I just feel uni should offer this service. One subject tutor has been good.

I think he will be okay. Jan exams went unexpectedly well . But he is stressed - today lost bus pass and uni card - because I think he is in a bit of a flap!

DD is back for a few days - I think she has her accommodation till June so she'll be popping to and fro for a while - uni only half an hour away by train! Has some work shifts this week and 'plans' to drift through summer doing her shop job and chilling.

Has just had third tattoo of the year. Is that excessive??
Year seems to have gone reasonably well - lots of stress and some dark times but that seems pretty standard, and she's had some good course results.

cooroo-glad ( strange to say) that you report stress in your DD - because it reassures me that perhaps that is part of being away from home and coping with high demands!! I do wish your daughter well

My DS has his new uni card and bus pass already ! ( smile) Uni do seem organised in many ways!

Voilets - I keep reminding myself I went through some strange stuff in my first year. I think the age - halfway between adult and child - and being away from home maybe for the first time, not to mention the social and work pressures, make this a difficult time emotionally for the most balanced kids.

I just rely on her basic common sense (what makes me think she has any?!) seeing her through.

Academic here. OP has your son actually approached the lecturer of the courses he is struggling with (as well as attending all available revision and drop in sessions)? I would be very surprised if there is no help available. Everyone I know is happy to spend time with students to help (within reason, email ahead to ask, don't appear in my office at 5.30 and expect me to spend an hour with you). I answer emails on my subject all the time (I teach a first year engineering class of 400, I would be in trouble if they all emailed me, but they don't!) and run dropins throughout the year and just before exams, I am not unusual. Take up is always low. The students who do go and speak to staff benefit doubly, they get help and they get goodwill from staff, we all like a trier!

Most students work in study groups to solve things together, this can be very effective. Nowadays a massive amount of class "wisdom" is shared via class facebook groups as well, where they discuss things and (probably, I'm not on them) share solutions to past papers etc. This is also a massive source of mythology, so needs to be taken with a pinch of salt at times.

we all like a trier!

Chemenger, - my Ds is humanities but the reports he has had back (from tutors) is that they appreciate the effort in. He isn't perfect - but he tries. So - essays in on time - takes note of feedback etc. It makes him sound a bit swotty - he isn't really - just thinks it is a two way thing. I hope his tutors are the same as you