Who else has DC approaching Uni finials? Graduations to hopefully celebrate?

[Milliways]

I was on the first empty nest threads with my DD, and now my DS is approaching his final weeks!

Anyone else with finals looming? How are your DC coping? Do you have their timetables like when it was A levels too?

I must say, I am so proud of DS for his work ethic and the hours he spends in the library each term. I truly hope he gets the grades he deserves. He needs a 2.1 for his job offer.

That's the next thing, trying to find accommodation for a new job is worse than Uni halls, having to maybe share with total strangers in a professional share etc as no way can they afford London prices on new entrant salaries (unless you are my friends DD who got stupidly high wage offers from Google and Amazon! DS is very fortunate to have a job offer, but the wages are not in the skyhigh bracket :) )

After he graduates I will have a totally empty nest as both didn't return after Uni.

Will you be buying a new outfit for the Graduation day?

Yes Milliways, we have met many times on threads re education :) DD submitted dissertation14 March and get mark back literally yesterday. So about five weeks.

hello again. First degree coming up (medicine so second one later) and they seem very calm about it. We now have to face the prospect of being a guarantor for accommodation for the first time so I'd welcome some advice from the more experienced. We're going on holiday - how long do credit checks take and is it going to be a problem is their guarantor isn't in the country to sign papers? What information do you have to supply for a credit check anyway, its a very ong time since I've needed to do anything like this?

DSS1 is about to graduate. He needs a First in order to fulfill his offer from Cambridge for his Masters but we aren't stressing about this. We won't see him much this summer as he is staying in Bristol until he starts a two-month internship in the City in mid-June. Not sure he'll be home much in future. But hey ho, he's very happy and excited about the future, which is the main thing!

alreadytaken, I let property in London, often to new graduates. If they have steady jobs with known employers it is unlikely you will be asked to be guarantor. Estate Agents normally use specialist referencing firms. It is worth priming a previous landlord to provide a reference. Other than that I think it is mainly credit checks and confirming employment and salary. (Plus a new legal requirement to confirm the right to live in the UK.) My advice, if looking for a shared property, is to try to take on a tenancy in June/July rather than September, or at least start looking then. September is a bunfight. Unlike the rest of the country you would not look more than two months in advance and landlords often prefer tenants who can more quickly.

Agencies can turn round credit checks in a few days as long as forms are filled in promptly and the employer/previous landlord respond quickly.

needmoresleep thanks - but as they are still a student (medic starting clinical training) and so are their flatmates I think I may have to end up being guarantor for everyone. No previous landlords to ask for a reference unless you count the university. As clinical training starts earlier than most they wont be leaving it until September. I'm concerned that they may find somewhere when we are away and I dont have to hand the sort of information they may be asked for. Do they just ask for addresses and bank details or do we have to supply other information?

Alreadytaken, you should be aware that an increasing London trend, driven by the large numbers of (relatively affluent) overseas students without UK based guarantors is to ask for six months rent up front.

I will speaking to a couple of letting agents in the next few days so will check what information they ask for and PM. If they find something nice they may need to move quickly. DS and his friends have made it work by renting ex local authority in a central location and using the living room as an extra bedroom.

Hi Milliways from another on the original thread! DS2 graduated (MSc) at the end of last year. He had the broadest smile imaginable as he had heard, that day, of his job offer. Anyway, we are now "done" with education apart from any vocational education that the DCs might undertake. Hurrah!

You wrote a couple of days ago "Not sure yet of the building where DS will be but they have some great architecture in Manchester."

DH went to a graduation at Manchester University about five years ago as the industrial supervisor of a PhD student. The hall was too small for the numbers in the "audience" and the student's family, who had come all the way from Malaysia, had to watch it by video link in another building. And ... just after the procession had made its way in, the fire alarms went off and the building was evacuated. Then everyone had to fight their ways back in three quarters of an hour later!

Sincerely hope that your DS' graduation isn't anything like that, but make sure you get there good and early!

Lol Lilymaid, that is hilarious (except when your DC is graduating)! I do hope that isn't us too.
How lovely that your DS got his job offer on graduation day.

BoboChic, I didn't see much of mine once they started uni. Both of them had full time jobs or internships every summer and both left uni straight to work. At least DS isn't also planning a wedding like DD did.

Hi milliways I'm another one who was on that early thread now DD3 (and youngest) is in her final weeks
She unfortunately is not coping very well at the moment very stressed and anxious but she has good support from her university.
We have told her she has done very well and know she'll be able to get her degree.
We are very proud of her as she has done well in spite of her learning difficulties.
Anyway she had 2 assignments to get in yesterday. Her Dissertation and I think another assignment is due in late May.
She has been applying for Graduate scheme jobs and has had several
interviews and got as far as the assessment day for one but unfortunately hasn't managed to actually get any further.
I know she would like to stay up north but she will work anywhere. She doesn't really want to come back home but we'll see what happens.

Hi again Mummee, i remember you too from three years ago, you DD has done so very well! huge congrats

Hello Mumeeee :)
Hope your DD settles for the final push, it's so tough watching them go through these things. I'm sure the right job for her will found soon.

Thanks MABS and Milliways. I think she'll get there. Fortunately she hasn't got any more exams.

Just popping in here to say that DD3 has kept going and has only got a couple weeks to go now. She's still very busy and stressed but will get there. She has stopped sending me very stressy texts which is a good sign.
Anyway she is due to Graduate on July 13th. Think her Graduation is one of the first ones it's at 10.30am so we will have to be up early.
What's happening with everyone else's DCs?

We have a very civilised 3.30 pm slot at the Royal Festival Hall in mid July. Gown etc ordered for DD. I was surprised that we were allowed 4 guests but DD says quite a few students/parents not going due to the expense. The university hires the Hall as it has no large space of its own. The cost is passed on to the students' guests.

I think it is sad if people do not go although my sister never went to hers from UCL and denied my Mum the chance to see her get her degree just 1 year after our Dad died. I felt really sorry for my Mum. As a result, there is no way we were not attending our DD's graduation from university!

DDs email regarding graduation included instructions if you do not pass! Hopefully not needing this info.

DD is doing a rather unusual degree (I think!) where grade is based on the final year alone and when she started it was a unique course so it has no comparisons elsewhere. Therefore dissertation and final project are key. It is difficult to judge exactly what the result will be but her marks for years 1 and 2 were very good, so we can only hope the 3rd year is up to her usual high standard and that others agree! The amount of work for the project has been huge and it did get stressful when there is a certain amount of reliance on other people. However it all came together and is handed in next week. Final presentation is being prepared at the moment!

DD2 is also finishing her study, after 6 years. Hopefully that will end in success too. She has a job to go to. Neither of mine have lived at home since they were 18 and they will not come back. However, we do see them regularly and enjoy theatre and meals out together.

DS finishes his post grad course at Oxford next month and secured a job back in Feb which starts on the Monday following the end of course in the Friday! New area so flat hunting will be a high priority over the next few weeks.

Well done to your DS fussychicks.

Miliboy Graduates on 13th July too, in the afternoon. I hope he ha sorcerer his gown etc. He has also agreed a flat share with a good friend who will be working at the same company so that is a big relief too,.
He has 4 exams in next 2 weeks then all done- no dissertation or project.

Bojorojo, I know the stress of all on final year, DD had that when she was at Uni, it's no fun. At least DS knows how much he has banked and what is needed to secure a first etc.

Still need to find an outfit though!

DD3 has just told me she has submitted her Dissertation. Think she might have to demonstrate it though but at least the hard part is done.
DH has booked our accommodation for her Graduation

As graduations are July, it will probably be warm, if not baking. Just a lovely summer dress and wrap or jacket will be fine. DD2 will look her cutting edge fabulous self, so I really will blend into the background! Suits me perfectly! I might wear wide trousers and a silk T shirt style top. Anything comfortable works and no high heels!

Thanks mumeee. It seems only 5 minutes ago that he was off to university not 5 years! (4 year languages degree). Hope you all get a warm sunny day for your graduations. We had a lovely day, felt very lucky.

ds has now said he would rather not go, doesn't want to get dressed up and "look like a prat". Do they send the certificates through in the post to those not attending or can he not officially graduate unless he goes through the formal ceremony?

Hi eatyourveg. They don't actually get their real certificates at their Graduation. This are usually sent to their permanent home address.
Graduationa are just a ceremony to celebrate the achievement of the students.
DD3 wouldn't miss hers she thinks it's really important to attend. She wants to share her achievement with us the same as her sisters did.
However not all students think the same as her.

Pity he doesn't need to go, I was really looking forward to it not least to have the photo opp :(

Tell him it's a time to celebrate and share his achievements with his family and friends.

eatyourveg try and encourage him to go. DH was the only one of 6 siblings to go to uni but his parents didn't see the need to go to a 'posh do' so he didn't go and its something he still deeply regrets.

DD's already bought her shoes for next year and is hoping the very expensive dress she wants goes down in the sales