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Higher education

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

Original poster

Uni Freshers 2016 (second thread)

862 replies

soapybox · 13/10/2016 12:27

A new thread!

OP posts:
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11
Leeds2 · 23/03/2017 19:13

Hope he has a good day, LIZS. And that you enjoy the home celebrations too.

homebythesea · 01/04/2017 12:48

it seems we are winding up the first year - how can that be?!?

DS texted yesterday to report that he has handed in his final essay and that lectures have finished for the term. He comes home next week until the beginning of May but exams not until later in the month and with no lectures to go to he is considering just staying at home for a couple more weeks to "revise"

I'm here thinking we are not getting great value for money - fees and accommodation paid for but for what? No teaching for the summer term, accommodation being used for just a few weeks......Hmm
And this at a good RG Uni with a great reputation for his particular subject

LIZS · 01/04/2017 13:15

Ds goes back on 24th, has exams spread over about 3 weeks and then end of year socials until early June. He missed the last week of this term on a vaguely course related trip. Trying to pick options for next year but frustrated that he can only choose one in one strand because compulsory course takes precedence.

Dunlurking · 01/04/2017 15:11

Agree with you home about the summer term being poor value. I guess the fees pay for a lot of marking of essays and exams, rather than teaching. Ds has got himself on the exec for a student society and seems to be planning to spend most of the term on society business. He's not letting us collect him, or his stuff, until the last day of his hall contract. On the plus side, I think we must be the only family doing this; the closest Premier Inn is remarkably cheap.

raspberryrippleicecream · 01/04/2017 15:43

DS1 came home a week ago. He too seems to be all done and dusted by a week or so into June. He does have uni plans for the rest of June, which involve the society he is the rep for.

homebythesea · 01/04/2017 16:04

DS' compulsory field study trip is taking place during the Easter hols which seems madness given the paucity of teaching in the summer term and is causing much angst on the grounds that time spent with "home" friends will be diminished (many of whom are already at home and will be returning before he does)

oldwife · 01/04/2017 17:05

I had lost this thread. Time has flown.

DS is home for Easter (last Friday). Luckily for him I am away on hols so he gets the run of the house.

He seems to be enjoying his course. It's a lot of study (Physics) he doesn't appear to have much free time.

He has his house for next year lined up. Hopefully he'll find it better than this year in the flat on campus.

rabbitsandrhubarb · 01/04/2017 17:33

NC'd, but have posted on this and the previous thread.

My DS finishes end of next week, is home for 2 weeks, then back to Cornwall for a couple of weeks lectures, and then that is it - admittedly his course is split in to 2 long semesters rather than three true terms, but it does seem absurdly early to finish when we have paid for accommodation up to 1 July.

Ive suggested he stays down there and looks for seasonal work, esp as he can move into his shared house at start of July, so might as well get a summers work in whilst living 5 minutes from the beach...

hennipenni · 02/04/2017 10:15

Can't believe how quickly this year has flown! DD finishes next week for Easter then is back for 2 weeks including exam week and then is finished for the summer. (Can't believe they pay a terms fees for that!!!)

She's done so well since xmas, the worry of her poorly sister is still in the back of her mind but her grades haven't slipped. She came home a couple of weeks ago as she was a little down with not eating properly, partying too hard, boyfriend woes and trying to study at the same time- the break and a good mummy talk sorted her out.

Accommodation sorted, work placement in the pipeline and modules chosen for next year.

hellsbells99 · 02/04/2017 10:51

Got DD2 home last night. Her arms and legs are covered in bruises, her knees were swollen and taped up, her hips hurt and she has a horrible cough....but she has had a great week away! She was showing me photos last night and it looks like she has been very sociable which is great as she has always been quite insular and I thought she would never leave home.
DD1 is not back until next weekend.

Thebluepen · 04/04/2017 16:36

So how have your kids fared after nearly a "year" at uni?

My ds has settled well but hasn't really embraced the social side of uni. He seems happy enough as he's very focussed on his studies but he hasn't grown up as much as I'd hoped!

My dsd (same age) hasn't fared as well and due to even shorter term times will be at home for around 2/3 of the year. She seems to have made no friends and lost her sixth form friends at home too.

Both kids complain about the light workload.

Overall, it's been a bit of a disappointing experience all round.

Neither dp nor I went to uni, so perhaps we had unrealistic expectations?

rabbitsandrhubarb · 04/04/2017 19:56

Both mine have settled well and havent been home at all since Christmas.

DS has, unexpectedly, got a lot out of the social side of uni, having always been a bit of loner a school he found himself in a flat where he just clicked with everyone and has had a great time. He seems very unsure about his course though - at times he really seems to enjoy it, and has had good marks and feedback, but at others is really struggling and says he finds it hard to talk to the tutors and they only have time to chat with them individually for about 5 mins during a studio day. He has arranged to spend a day this week on another, related, course at the same uni to see if it might be a better fit for him and I am encouraging him to make an appointment to talk through his issues with his tutor to clarify his position and explore alternatives. I am not sure whether it is his perfectionism and a lack of self confidence that is causing him to be so anxious about it all.

DD has enjoyed the social side of uni, as expected, but has also been finding her course really interesting and seems to be getting good marks. She has also got herself a part time job and is currently on a selection day type process for an internship for the summer.

I think she is getting better value for money on her science based course - lectures and labs every day, than DS on his arts based course but I suspected that would be the case from the start (even in my day, 30 years ago, I had v few lectures on an arts based course compared to my sister on a science based one who was full time lectures/labs).

hellsbells99 · 04/04/2017 22:17

Bluepen - I think the idea of university is sold to them as the best years of their life and it often does not live up to expectations. DD1 hated it last year and 'dropped out'. She came home and got a job. She has restarted this year (different course and uni) and finding it a much better experience - and her expectations are probably more realistic. Both DDs are first years. They both complain about a high workload but are doing Stem subjects. I am surprised your DSD is home for 2/3 of the year - that seems unually short terms.

Teenagedream · 05/04/2017 07:12

Not sure my twin DD or DS are having the experience they expected. DS in private halls and has struggled to make friends. Luckily not too far from home so has kept up home friendships so far. Science course which he is enjoying and seems to be doing well. DD has a better social life but to me doesn't seem to have embraced the full uni experience. Course is low on contact time and room is tiny and halls a fair distance from library etc.
Both are hoping things look up for next year. As you say it's built up to be the best experience of your life when the reality asking around and on here it is often not the case.

hellsbells99 · 05/04/2017 09:32

Rabbits - if your DS does decide he wants to do a different course than he would be better off not starting his 2nd year. You can get the student loan for the duration of your degree plus 1 extra (mistake?) year.

oldwife · 07/04/2017 07:06

My DS doesn't share much info with me. I have to quiz him :)

He says he has plenty of work and time in lectures and labs (Physics).

Seems so much more grown up now - it's amazing what a few months away from home can do.

hellsbells99 · 09/04/2017 13:36

Well both DDs are now home and have taken over my dining table. They are both sat working/revising and singing along to Ed Sheeran - it feels just like when they were doing AS and A levels. Also washing and bags everywhere - so glad it is drying weather! .......and my fridge is already emptying. They are very pleased to be with each other again and are planning on going for a drive later to meet a mutual friend.

Allfurcoatandnoknickers · 10/04/2017 07:24

My DS who went travelling for most of his gap year found his Uni (an hour away from home), more of a challenge!! He's settled now and loves the course, and thanks to a field trip, has found new 2/3rd Year friends. He's 'working' on assignments down there over Easter, and probably won't get home. I'm pleased he's settled so not too bothered, but feel sad for my DD who has missed him, despite what she says....

GasLightShining · 10/04/2017 20:55

Apparently there is nothing to eat here!

He has worked virtually very day for the last week so pleased as we thought he might not gt any hours.

I have tried mentioning time to revise but apparently the grades won;t go to the final degree!!!

Squirrills · 15/04/2017 13:35

Well he's gone back now, after being home for four weeks. Term starts on Tuesday with a very heavy timetable so he wanted to get settled in over the weekend. He did manage to do a fair bit of work while at home and exams don't start for another 3 weeks.
His flat was deserted, I took food supplies and cleaned the toxic fridge . The students had emptied it as told, but it seems the cleaners didn't venture to open and clean it.
I cannot get over how quickly I get used to them being home. DS1 will be going back for his finals next week - three years has gone so quickly.

hellsbells99 · 23/04/2017 10:25

I am taking both my two back today. I hope all their stuff will fit in the car - I've also just had a shopping delivery so they can take food back. I told them to be ready to leave by 10am ......hoping that we might actually leave by 11am but I can still hear lots of drawers, wardrobe doors being opened etc so I am assuming they are still packing!

Dunlurking · 23/04/2017 11:48

Squirrills I hope you've now got used to them being back at uni. Hope the stuff all went in the car OK hellsbells. Ds went back 2 days ago, on the train. I miss him like mad for a few days, but then things seem to settle. I love the more relaxed feel to cooking when he's gone. He's a faddy eater, yet eats huge quantities. Life is much simpler, shopping and cooking wise, when he's gone, so there is a plus.

Has anyone applied for next year's student grant yet? I nagged ds all holiday to tell us what to do, and he didn't! Please tell me there's plenty of time still.

Squirrills · 23/04/2017 13:46

Dunlurking DS1 went back yesterday so house empty now. I have mixed feelings. I always feel very sad for a few days but there are many things I don't miss. Notably when they are out late at night and driving home.
My grocery delivery is two or three crates instead of six or eight Grin.
Cooking has been different here as well. DS became vegetarian after mulling it over for many months. I have quite enjoyed learning to cook some different meals , some for all of us and some just for him.

Nothing done yet for next years loan wishes it was a grant.

Incidentally for voting. Students are allowed to be on two electoral roles and can vote at either home or uni, not both of course!

I think they will both be home for the election. It will be DS2's first GE although he was 18 for last year's referendum. We have already had lots of interesting discussions. I love hearing the views and opinions they are forming.

Dunlurking · 23/04/2017 14:33

Squirrills yes I wish it was a grant. Slip of the keyboard, sorry! Glad we're not mega late applying then. That's a huge drop in food shopping for you. Enjoy your easier (and cheaper) life for a while.

And thanks about reminder on voting. Ds also excited about voting. I'm pleased we marched him into our local polling station last year for the Referendum, so it won't feel so daunting if he decides to vote at Warwick. He's promised he will register there, or apply for a postal vote here. He's not coming home at all this term. Wasted vote here anyway - one of the safest Tory seats in England, whereas North Warwickshire could be a bit more interesting a contest.

LIZS · 23/04/2017 16:29

Took ds back earlier. He had planned to go by train and dh drop off the rest tomorrow but Southwest trains had other ideas, with no service running there today. He seems a bit daunted at the prospect of exams which start on Wednesday. Apparently the papers give no indication as to how marks are allocated between questions, you just answer as you see fit. Hopefully learning support can clarify it at his session tomorrow.