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Higher education

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

Uni Freshers 2016 (second thread)

862 replies

soapybox · 13/10/2016 12:27

A new thread!

OP posts:
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11
Leeds2 · 25/01/2017 20:36

I have no experience of this, but I think if DC are a long way away it is almost easier, because they know when they go for the first term that they can't be coming home all the time.
My DD is in her first year too, although in the States. She is finding from her UK friends that a lot of them are in "flats" which empty at the weekends as everyone goes home which must be very lonely for the one or two left behind.

Peebles1 · 25/01/2017 21:07

Yes that's true Leeds2. She does mention a lot of them either going home or having partners over at weekends. I'm delighted she's got friends etc, I know I should count my blessings and I do. Just wondering if others are experiencing the same, which I'm sure they are.
The States! That's amazing. What a wonderful opportunity for your DD.

Leeds2 · 25/01/2017 21:28

Thanks, Peebles! So far, so good!

hellsbells99 · 25/01/2017 21:31

Peebles, I encouraged DD1 not to come home much last year and for her, this was a mistake. She was very homesick and most of her flat went home at weekends. She also regretted her choice of course. She has restarted this year at a different uni only an hour away and tends to come home for a night or sometimes two every fortnight or so. DD2 is about 2 hours away and comes home at the same time if she can. They are both coming home this Saturday afternoon for the night. DD2 likes to speak on FaceTime every few days, DD1 says this makes her homesick and sends us texts and snapchats. Some of my friends DCs don't come home at all during term time and are happy with that.

Peaceandl0ve · 25/01/2017 21:47

My DD is a couple of hours away and comes home every 2 to 3 weeks. She says this helps her to not bentoo homesick, knowing she can get home. She has lots of friends and is doing lots of activites but she likes to come back to see us, and her boyfriend, it is a very intense course, and although she likes her flatmates living with 9'other people can be a bit much, so perhaps that is why.

She assures me that she is ok and I am trying to take her word for it. Clearly I have no advice to offer, only sympathy.

Peebles1 · 25/01/2017 22:00

Ah that's interesting PeaceandlOve and Hellsbells. Thanks for sharing what works for your DDs. I don't remember being homesick or going home much, and you imagine everyone else's DCs are having a wonderful time and haven't looked back since the day they left! I know that's not true from some of the posts, though. I shall relax about her coming home so often, if that's what she needs then so be it.

Peaceandl0ve · 25/01/2017 22:18

Interestingly, it is making it harder for me, i seem to miss her more and more. However, that is not something I would ever share with her!

placeofworkshop · 25/01/2017 22:59

Mine still gets homesick when things are getting on top of her, like exams and house hunting.Tbh i wonder if it's not actually homesickness but wanting escapism from dealing with 'grown up ' things

hellsbells99 · 25/01/2017 23:09

Peebles, I would like to think they are missing me but I think they miss each other, 'home' and the family pets more! I do enjoy seeing them though and they are always happy to be home even for a night ....and then they often go out with friends.

ATailofTwoKitties · 26/01/2017 10:27

Mine put on Facebook before Christmas 'Only a week to go before I get home to schmoozle the dog again!!'

Well thanks, DS, we were missing you too.

hellsbells99 · 26/01/2017 11:19

Tailoftwo - with a name like that, I thought it would be cats he is missing! Grin

ATailofTwoKitties · 26/01/2017 13:30

We do have cats too. They're less willing to be schmoozled!

GasLightShining · 26/01/2017 17:50

Peebles Last term we went to see DS or he came home about 3 times which probably worked out at every 3 weeks or so (he finished early in December). He is 1.5 hrs away but has settled in well. Quite a few go home every weekend.

If others are going home I would be inclined to let her come home too but maybe every couple weeks.

GasLightShining · 26/01/2017 17:55

DS has found a house for September. Now I m having to fill in the guarantor form. Making me feel twitchy,

LIZS · 26/01/2017 17:58

Ds thinks he'll have to pay council tax over the summer break, does anyone know if this is correct?

GasLightShining · 26/01/2017 18:03

I thought students don't pay council tax

LIZS · 26/01/2017 18:24

Me too Confused

Peebles1 · 26/01/2017 18:48

Thanks everyone for the comments. We also have cats which are listed in her 'things she misses most'. PeaceandlOve I know what you mean about making it harder for us. You can't settle and adjust coz they keep popping back and making you miss them again! It's fine though, always nice to see her.

homebythesea · 28/01/2017 14:56

You have to pay Council tax from whenever the start of the lease is. My DS is house hunting this weekend and just texted me to say their favourite is bills inclusive which strikes me as a much better plan with no faffing about with paperwork and making sure people pay their share etc (bad memories from my own student days!)

LIZS · 28/01/2017 15:01

Thanks. At what point do they become exempt from ct? Bills would be split but electricity is a top up. Apparently they've negotiated to pay deposit after next term's loan is in.

raspberryrippleicecream · 28/01/2017 17:53

As I understand it student exemption is from first to last day of course including vacation periods. Which I would have assumed included summer between years?

homebythesea · 28/01/2017 22:56

This is quite straightforward - and news to me 😀

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/student-housing/students-in-private-rented-accommodation/student-housing-council-tax/

Needmoresleep · 29/01/2017 10:55

home, the thing to watch out for is if someone in the house is not a student. This happened to DS as they kept their flat on for a second year, at which point one had graduated and was working but wanted to stay. No problem, but they needed to agree in advance that he and he alone, was responsible for paying the CT.

If they want broadband it is worth looking at NowTV, part of Sky. You have a months rolling contract, far better than many who demand 18 months. Its not fantastically cheap but useful if you have bad mobile coverage or bad TV reception, as it all comes as a package. The problem is that, presumably deliberately, it is very easy to access paid for content like movies and sport.

homebythesea · 29/01/2017 13:49

needmoresleep thanks for that - something to keep in mind for the future - its a group of 5 undergrads at the moment. The broadband is one of the included bills apparently - no idea of how fast it is etc but that's for them.

LIZS · 06/02/2017 12:56

The uni health centre vs. Home gp dilemma has reared again . Took ds to minor injuries last week when home , he now needs dressing changed but health centre won't take a look without him registering. Fortunately he is home overnight again this week so has managed to get gp appointment but still not sure about longer term. Any advice please?