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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Uni Freshers parents 2016?

999 replies

granarybeck · 21/08/2016 22:23

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?

OP posts:

Teenagedream · 01/10/2016 19:57

Thank you dreaming. I don't want to worry or worry him but I'm also aware that at the moment its not living up to his expectations and I feel sad for him. The course seems very full on so in the week he's been ok its just the weekends are dragging for him.

dreamingofsun · 01/10/2016 20:18

teenage - my son had his phone, room keys and headphones nicked the first freshers event he went on - so i can feel safe to say its not living up to what he expected either. Plus he's not managed to get into the football club - his love. in a month or two i'm sure they will love it though. one of my other kids said it was really hard work at first and he loves it now. if it was dossy they wouldn't be broadening their horizons

Teenagedream · 01/10/2016 20:48

Thank you dreaming. I've no experience of uni life and I think I expected it all to be easier. Twin DD also went this year and seems so much more settled and has found friends etc. I am feeling lonely and probably have too much time to think and worry.

Mumswallet · 01/10/2016 20:56

Both my DDs are at uni now. Cardiff (Cambridge before) and Brighton. Please be reassured your children/young people will be better coping than you, or any mum really! Taking it in their stride. Yup. It's hard but a little supply of G n T and a job helps! Good excuse also to have a sort out at home for a very welcoming Christmas!

lovelybangers · 01/10/2016 21:40

Thanks angie that makes sense.

He is going to be in Pendle.

Just had a farewell takeaway with champagne.

How time flies. It seems so recent that I was taking him to nursery school. I think that was easier than tomorrow is going to be.

for all

NapoleonsNose · 01/10/2016 21:45

Insect phobic DD hqs just text to say her room is infested with silverfish. The maintenance people can't come until tomorrow and she's sacred to sleep as she found four in her bed! I told her to get some Raid, but she in her PJs and doesn't want to walk to the shops 1/2 mile away in the dark.

NapoleonsNose · 01/10/2016 21:52

*scared to sleep!

Squirrills · 01/10/2016 22:13

Ah, DS's bed was infested with silverfish under the mattress but luckily he wasn't bothered and just swatted them. I tried to persuade him to sort it out but I think he's forgotten. I'd expect it in grotty student private let but not in halls. His room seemed nice apart from the uninvited guests.

Ta1kinpeece · 01/10/2016 22:25

Silverfish thrive on stale air
make the room minimalist, wipe all wash surfaces with a flash wipe
hoover into the corners
they will be gone in a few days

no need to wait for the college / pest control

also
silverfish are clean
if you have them rather than cockroaches, all is pretty good

awishes · 01/10/2016 22:35

Back from Imperial tonight, resisted the urge to bawl when I left him and had to concentrate for the drive home so that helped. I seemed to be the only single parent?How can that be?!!
I have deliberately shut the door on the empty bedroom :(
Good luck to everyone for tomorrow!

EllenJanethickerknickers · 01/10/2016 23:03

Thank you Squirrills. Getting them to get dressed for a photo on a Sunday morning will probably be my biggest problem!

We have been out for a farewell curry and it's all relaxed here. DS is in Cryfield in Warwick and because our surname is in the lower half of the alphabet we aren't going up until tomorrow. It will be strange if most of the corridor started today, DS isn't the most chatty of boys so I hope they haven't already bonded. Hopefully the weather will be better. We seem to have a car full of boxes and bags and just me and DS1 to carry them in.

I'm on my own as well, awishes and did feel a bit unusual at the open days. For Warwick open day we went up with my friend and her DD, whose husband lives abroad. We joked about DS and his two mums, and made sure to hold hands occasionally!

awishes · 02/10/2016 08:08

Funny Ellen!
I was quite surprised and pondering on why that would be.
Hope all goes well today. We had too many boxes and bags too but there were luggage trollies on hand.

hellsbells99 · 02/10/2016 08:20

Hi Sally - I have messaged you.
Good luck to those who went yesterday and are going today.
Teenage -I do think weekends can be the worst as things quieten down. Both my two came home for the night last night and said most of their flat mates were either going home or had friends visiting. DD2 said Saturday is the quietest night in campus! Both have joined the gym though and said last Sunday they went to the gym and then had a mooch round town. DD2 also went walking round campus and took lots of photos whilst it was still sunny - anything to keep busy and not get homesick!
It has been lovely to see them and they are both happy so far. I have just said they can come home whenever they like.

Dunlurking · 02/10/2016 08:48

Good luck for those dropping off today, especially you Ellen, at Warwick. We did yesterday to the sister hall. The 2 halls have drinks together tonight. Don't worry about missing out on bonding - 3 out of 5 only so far in ds's flat and he ducked out of the evening very early yesterday.

SecretSaffron · 02/10/2016 10:11

just popping on to say good luck to all dropping off today.
I was sad to see the light coming form under ds's door this morning as his curtains weren't closed. I'm quite shocked at how sad I am feeling tbh. DS1 has been quite independent for a while, has been away plenty with scouts and explorers etc, was away for 3 weeks a couple of year ago to Russia for example....but this just keeps coming over me in waves. I keep thinking about all sorts of silly things, like his first pair of wellies (yellow winnie the pooh ones) and random things like that. Still a bit weepy today. really must pull myself together cause I've got loads to get done today as well!

lovelybangers · 02/10/2016 10:43

We are on the way
Should be there in about 20 mins.

Not too many tears. Yet.

SecretSaffron · 02/10/2016 12:44

Good luck lovely hope it all goes OK.

Leeds2 · 02/10/2016 14:04

Good Luck to those dropping off today.

lovelybangers · 02/10/2016 14:39

All done.

His accommodation looks fine, the room is larger than I imagined. A busy place today.

No tears just helped him unpack and then left him to it.

Heading home with DH to a big empty house.

Oh I did notice that the waterproof mattress protector was too short. Are the beds in halls longer than standard single? I'll have to look around and post him one or use it as a sneaky excuse to visit

EllenJanethickerknickers · 02/10/2016 16:17

All done here, too. Home from Warwick and holding out with no tears so far. DS1 was very keen for me to bugger off and leave him to it, especially when I was questioning why there was no cupboard space left for him in the kitchen when some students had bagged two cupboards. I was being totally embarrassing, obviously. Hard to leave him pretty much still with all his stuff in boxes, but he just wanted to get on with it.

The room was fairly small but completely adequate. It was really hot after 6 trips back and forth from the car so we had the window open and the door wedged open as well (with the handy wedge purchased due to MN threads.) Much better weather than yesterday! There were a small group hanging out in the kitchen so looks pretty sociable already.

I must remember not to badger him with messages...

EllenJanethickerknickers · 02/10/2016 16:21

Thanks, dunlurking. It would be very strange if our DC became friends!

raspberryrippleicecream · 02/10/2016 16:38

On the way home here. Nice day with DS, lovely room and he is more or less settled. I'm a bit teary, not helped by receiving some sad news from elsewhere as we left.

Lovelybangers those beds are longer than standard.

sluj · 02/10/2016 17:03

Hmm. Just had a slightly unsatisfactory phonecall with DS who has been gone two weeks now. He has been whatsapping and we have spoken a couple of times but today he seemed particularly momsyllabic and it felt a bit one sided. No doubt the fact that he didn't go to bed till 4am and didn't get up till midday today had something to do with it! Its just left me felling a little flat IYKWIM? He says everything is fine but he seems to have loads of work to do and little time for socialising, apart from last night where he had a pre booked ticket.

Has anyone else had that kind of call?

NoahVale · 02/10/2016 17:20

yes, last sunday, dd seems to have changed her hours totally. it was hard. but then telephone conversations are difficult anyway. i spose it took him unawares that you called ?
I am contemplating ringing dd but am worried that she will also be tired and unprepared for the call

SecretSaffron · 02/10/2016 17:27

DS1 just messaged me to say he was settling in fine and all going well. I was surprised he had messaged so soon tbh and thought - how lovely- then the follow up message was along the lines of "I have left x,y,z behind that I need...could you please post them to me" should have know!!! Still, at least I know he is alive and generally OK.
About to serve up dinner...no ds1, and dd1 is at work (has weekend job at Mc Ds) so will be very odd....

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