Uni Freshers parents 2016?

[granarybeck]

hi

I've just been reading recent threads on weekly living costs and what to take to uni and found loads of useful info. I'm certainly finding that there was so much focus on getting the results/not tempting fate that it all feels a bit of a panic now. I have a dd going to warwick and a ds going to bath.

Wondered if there is already a thread for other general tips for those with dd/s starting uni this September?

Can I join in? I'm a mum of three - one working, one been to uni and one in her 3rd year and I move to Huddersfield on Tuesday to study Textiles. My mum (whose 71) has been great. When my girls left for uni she had bought them all sorts of cleaning products, toiletries, etc and has done the same for me . I've never lived on my own before so am trying to follow the advice I gave to my girls when they started. I've already been in touch through FB with students on my course and am meeting up with a couple of them on Saturday. I'm not travelling light, so as well as DH one of my DD's is coming to help. Seems a bit cockeyed when I think about it. Feel like I'm running out of time - all my flat contents and art stuff is packed, just need to sort my clothes out tomorrow.

Good Luck, Ilovelearning! I am from Huddersfield, and hope you will be very happy there.

Aww, ilove, your mum sounds cute! Have an amazing time

Dropped DS off in Edinburgh on Saturday - we weren't allowed to stay very long though (just long enough to schlepp all the bags up to his room and have a quick squint at the kitchen). Bit of a weird room allocation, he's got a disability wet room rather than the standard bathroom - just hope he doesn't mistake the alarm cords for the light switch (DH has form for this).

Just to put minds at rest (those of you with kids that don't go out much etc), my Son changed overnight when he went to Uni. He's now about to start Year 2 at Edinburgh. When he was home, he was mainly on the laptop or reading. He's now a party animal! Discovered alcohol & girls. Regularly out till 7am! So, don't worry. They DO really come out of their shell. DD is also at Uni now. #EMPTYNEST

Just to put minds at rest (those of you with kids that don't go out much etc), my Son changed overnight when he went to Uni. He's now about to start Year 2 at Edinburgh. When he was home, he was mainly on the laptop or reading. He's now a party animal! Discovered alcohol & girls. Regularly out till 7am! So, don't worry
THAT is supposed to make us not worry?
TBF my eldest DS has not changed at all in 3 years of uni..He has stayed true to himself.

husky - i'm more worried about him surviving freshers and not getting alcoholic poisoning. he's been practising and building up his resistance all summer though, so should be OK.

My DD seems to be embracing uni life, I was worried because she's quiet and reserved (or so we thought!) two parties on the first night- back in her halls for 3am thank fully. She's made friends with the girls on her floor and send to be enjoying herself. Oh and DD thought and was hoping that she wouldn't know anybody at uni but at the freshers party she bumped straight into the person she used to sit next to in one of her subjects at college!

My DD17 (now on day 5 studying in China) has headed off with the rest of her cohort on the bullet train to Beijing to attend a formal reception in a plush hotel and stay in a Youth hosted afterwards. Lots of new experiences!

*hostel

Aw husky, you must be so proud!

DS1 has become more confident in the sixth form, luckily, so I think he'll cope with university life. He's such a lightweight, though. I hope he's a bit sensible with the alcohol and the freedom!

Having heard nothing since Friday from DS, I got a short text this morning, to say 'Going well, room mate nice - lots of partying etc'. So sounds like his worries about socialising, sharing a room etc have been overcome to a certain extent...

My DS has been allocated Aitken mateysmum, still in the Vale. He has just got an email from Birmingham saying they are expecting over 3000 students to arrive this weekend just to the Vale

Ginmere That's why we all have to arrival slots! We'll be there Sunday afternoon. hope it's not too chaotic.

The Vale was a great place when I was a student - although I don't think many of the halls still exist (Ridge? Wyddrington? Lake?). My old SC flats are still there - Maple Bank (or Maple Bonk as they were known back then). Looks like Mason has been rebuilt - or Herpes Hall as we knew it.

Dd was on a choral course last week at Birmingham uni and stayed in Mason - she showed me some pictures, it's quite contemporary!

Another shopping trip today, toiletries and basic foodstuff like packet pasta snacks. Picked up a small slow cooker in morrisons for £12 too.

No arrival slots at Nottingham - just an instruction to arrive before 1630. I anticipate much queuing and chaos 🙄

16:30 is pretty early - at least we had 09:00 to 22:00 spread over 2 days (and that was for only 320 students).

Home, I remember queuing for over an hour on open day at Nottingham, but everyone was arriving at once and I guess you get lots more at open day than actually get a place.

There are 3000 rooms available for undergrads on the Nottingham University Park - I think Home is correct in predicting chaos.

Cardiff Met - Been given a two hour slot.

DS started at Nottingham two years ago. Arrivals day was a bit chaotic to say the least! The arrivals staff were really friendly but the staff directing the cars didn't seem to have a clue which was a real problem with so many cars!! Having said that he is really happy there and having a great time. Off to Anglia Ruskin with DD this weekend so fingers crossed for a little less chaos. Good luck all 😊

We are at Nottingham on Friday the 23rd DS is being useless at communicating information to us and didn't even know what I was asking if we had to have a slot to drop him off.

lin4 my dd is also doing psychology at warwick. she only heard on friday about accom too. She's got Tocil which she was disappointed about but is now feeling better after hearing from a friend who was offered sharing a single room or a hotel for first term!