Uni Freshers 2016 (second thread)

[soapybox]

A new thread!

For textbooks, you could also try www.abebooks.co.uk/, but as others have said, check whether you need a specific edition. The library may provide scans of single chapters (see if there's an online reading list).

Checking back in to see how everyone's getting on ! My dd was having a hard time adjusting, still not completely settled but definitely improving. She and her friends, at different Unis all over UK have arranged a trip back to our hometown end of the month - just booking that seemed to help her a lot. Also helps a lot that she likes her course. And , like everyone predicted, things got less pressured once freshers madness is over. Still has her moments, but they're more of the normal moany variety , not about being lonely and homeaick. Now it's more about stuff like realising how much time and money washing takes Happy with that !

DD2s subject society did a book fair, so she interrogated the Y2s to see what they'd actually used (and flicked through their copies to confirm - not her mother's daughter for nothing ).

And finally, after much nagging, the maintenance department have agreed to replace her carpet - after two washes it still smelled, so they've been and measured up this week. Smiley and polite but persistant seems to have done the trick

Excellent result, MyVisions.

had a lovely day out with DD1 today - no lectures, and she needed to catch up on some art art exhibs she missed when ill last week. they are having a flat meeting with an outside 'mediator' on Monday so I hope that will help sort things... basically there is 1 person in flat making the rest of them walk on egg shells which is not fair because they are all paying huge amounts for 'normal enjoyment' of the place.

Well, I have been missing in action for the last few days - my DS was hospitalised on Thursday - his throat got worse, he was unable to eat/drink/sleep, had D&V and rash all over hands, feet, legs and arms. At that point he cracked, and rang 111 who advised hospital. Hospital admitted him, set up IV antibiotics, fluids etc and he finally admitted he wanted me to come down and see him.

So here I am in Cornwall. He is now out of hospital with a cocktail of drugs to take, so I have decided to stay here for the week to supervise the meds (there is quite a complicated schedule) and make sure that I cook food he can manage to eat. Breakthrough today in that he has managed some weetabix and porridge and a cup of tea, and has kept it down.

Luckily I work from home much of the time, so all I needed was to find some accommodation with wifi and I was sorted.

Oh Dotty Your poor DS and you! He did sound poorly when you last posted.

Dotty, sorry to hear that. Hope your DS is on the mend soon.

Goodness dotty so sorry to hear how severe your ds's illness has been. Good luck for this week getting him through it.

Blimey, dotty, that sounds extreme. I hope he gets better soon.

I've just returned from visiting DS1 at Warwick. Didn't spot you, granary! It was lovely seeing him. He was suitably embarrassed at his new friends possibly bumping into his DBs but 'let us' sit in his room for a cup of tea. He's really happy, is enjoying the life, new friends and the course.

I took them for a slap up meal and then to Tesco to stock up. It is walking distence but quite a long way with heavy shopping bags so nice to do it in the car.

We only stayed about 3 hours and I got a proper hug from him when we left. Much better than when dropping him off 2 weeks ago. And he had his picture frame on display, with the tenner and 'In case of emergency, break glass,' message. So all happy here.

Dotty glad he is on the mend. What a scare!

Envious of all the visits today. We are going next Sunday, will be three weeks in then. I'm planning a little bit of freezer cooking on Saturday to take, and a cake of course!

Good to hear positive news from many of the posters and that most DCs are settling in - my DS has said he loves it here (when he is not being ill), so I am very relieved that he seems to be settling and am hoping once we can overcome the illness all will continue to go well.

Next problem is dealing with the uni accommodation office - the en suite in his room stinks of mould and sewage - I lifted up the flooring and there is mould everywhere. They have finally fixed the extractor fan (4 weeks in) and have now said they will replace the flooring, but I want to make sure they removed the mould underneath first and also check the drains as I am not happy re the sewage smell. He hadn't told me about this, and seems to have been dealing with them quite proactively, but the person who came to inspect said she couldn't smell anything - whereas it hit me the minute I opened the door to his room, let alone opened the bathroom door.

I have scrubbed everything with anti-bacterial spray, but didn't have any Mould remover, so am hoping they will deal with that.

Glad your DS seems to be on the mend Dotty, and wishing you every success in your battle with the accommodation office. My DD has no problem with her room, but she was hospitalised during Fresher's Week (nothing to do with alcohol poisoning!) so I really do understand your concerns.

She did a 5k charity run today .............

dotty how horrible to find all that mould. Hope it gets sorted.

Ellen glad to hear you had a good visit and he's happy. Where did you go for the meal? Ds has invited us in November to watch something he's performing in and we want to take him out for Sunday lunch. Just been googling Kenilworth as a possibility.

Oh dotty that sounds dreadful. Hope DS is on the mend.

dotty glad your DS is on the mend, good luck sorting his accommodation.

ellen my DD seems to be really happy at Warwick too, it was so nice to see her.

raspberry I took a bit of freezer cooking and it went down well!

dunlurking we went to leamington for lunch, lots of choice and gave us chance to stock up on a few bits DD needed. She had a couple of fancy dress nights to prepare for!

Must have been the weekend for seeing DCs. My DD came home for an unscheduled visit. Was a bit worried when DH sprung it on me, but no, just that most of her flatmates were decamping and she fancied a trip home.
She spent most of the time with her Boyfriend but we had a meal as a family and she and i went to the cinema last night.
It was the most lovely weekend and she is clearly happy, working and paying hard all with a fab group of new pals!
And breathe, at least for now, will be on pins when she has her forst set of exams in a couple of weeks......

Oh and selfish me. Meant to say well done to the DCs that have settled, and hang on in there for those that have yet to find their happy.

Thanks granary think we will probably head there then. We need a place that will do ds a roast. It's what he's missing most about home. The amount of meat he can put away - 3 average portions!

Hey Dunlurking, seconding Leamington, used to live there. Lots of variety and plenty of shops for stoccking up or buying early christmas pressies.

Unlurking - thanks for this thread!

Ds has settled in to his room and studying fine. His hall mates are all friendly boys too. He won't go out drinking with any others at weekends, it's never been his thing and he says he just doesn't want to, I'm hoping he will meet likeminded non-partiers as time goes on. I would hate him to be lonely but he assures me all is good

My DS is coming home next weekend from Scotland we're so excited! His DF misses him more than me I think. Like a PP said, I'm amazed at the calls we get from DS, roughly weekly, chatty, informative and just lovely.

His twin sister my DD obv!) on the other hand has whooshed off to London and we barely hear from her! She's only half an hour away and knows London already so I think she's just not feeling the distance.

My DS is also trying to get moved not cos of Mould (yuk) but flat mates not his cup of tea. One got drunk and beat the house up. Hit the walls and doors etc. Mmmm not so good.