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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
Squirrills · 17/09/2017 18:24

Biscuit
I've been following and occasionally commenting on, the uni freshers thread "it's real now" and there have been no comments on there about difficulties?
I'm not sure about FB groups but I'm sure lots of us who did the big uni drop off last year would be happy to contribute if you started a WIWIKAU thread on here? I have had two DC go off to uni in the last 3 years and know lots of posters on HE are the same.

IdaBiscuit · 17/09/2017 18:38

Thank you squirrels, I'll do that.

raspberryrippleicecream · 18/09/2017 00:04

DS' tenancy starts next weekend, he's driving his belongings down the following week. Then coming home again. He doesn't actually start for another 3 weeks. Though he'll go back a bit early to help with Welcome week

kath6144 · 18/09/2017 10:00

Biscuit - I will try and go on FB thread when have a minute.

But a bit of reassurance, DS started last year, he never bonded with flatmates (one on his course, never spoke to him, and DH only got a grunt when trying to engage with him in kitchen once) but...

He made friends with people in flat above at very start, and some guys he got talking to on first night from private halls (one on his course) and never looked back. Moved out with 3 from flat above, still v friendly with guys (who didn't join them in house for a specific reason), also has some good friends on his course.

It can take time but they will make friends in end, if not from immediate housemates, then others in block, or on course, or through a hobby. DS went running with a few different guys, then joined a running club, introduced by a girl on his course in year above!

OhFuds · 18/09/2017 17:43

I need to read over this thread again as it's been ages since I commented.

Dropped DD off at her accommodation last week, she's so happy that she is back with her high school friends (they go to a different uni). Her new accommodation has a better feel and a better location too from the halls she was in.

The 2nd year drop off was so so much easier, no tears from me Grin and DD practically skipped in after I dropped her off once we had had dinner!

Next year is the year abroad so it'll be a airport drop off.

EllenJanethickerknickers · 28/09/2017 20:41

Dropped DS2 off last weekend into his house share. He's gone back a week early to party a bit before lectures start next week. Warwick do a weird freshers week with added lectures.

Much less emotional this time around. I know he has friends, more in the next street than in his own house, but that's by the by. He's worked 8 weeks 9-5 in the holiday and has some money behind him. He's really grown up since last year. I miss him, though. And I really wanted to stay and be a student with him. Wish I was 19! Grin

Just a tip, Aldi are selling a heated clothes horse, (like Lakeland,) for £29. Not much more expensive than a regular clothes horse, ideal if no tumble dryer available.

EllenJanethickerknickers · 28/09/2017 20:41

*DS1 not DS2. That's another story...

Dunlurking · 29/09/2017 16:29

Thanks for the tip about the heated clothes horse Ellen. I got one this morning. Unfortunately I dropped ds off yesterday Hmm but I should be able to get it to him by the end of October, and in the meantime he'll have to work out where the nearest laundry is - Kenilworth, or Warwick campus (although I don't suppose they still have laundry cards, or can they top up last year's?). His house does have a washing machine, at least.

OhFuds · 29/09/2017 21:13

I think I'll head to Aldi tomorrow to buy a heated towel rail for myself.

OhFuds · 29/09/2017 21:15

*heated clothes horse!! I've no idea where towel rail came from.

LIZS · 05/10/2017 17:53

House inspection tomorrow! He's promised to clean his room tonight.

Leeds2 · 05/10/2017 18:55

Ask for pictures, LIZS!

LIZS · 10/10/2017 08:50

Sadly no pics but they did pass the inspection.

LIZS · 10/10/2017 08:51

And they've just received a bunch of bills which I think came as a bit of a shock!

hellsbells99 · 12/10/2017 08:14

Hope all our year 2s have settled back in.
My two have now been back at uni for a month. The workload has definitely increased this year particularly for DD2 who has also put her name down for an optional 'project' to join, so some of her spare time is spent doing this.
They are both going to the gym regulatory and socialising a bit too much. DD1 has already announced she will look for different people,to house share with next year. DD2 is worried as some of her house mates are looking to do placements next year so she needs to find a new 'tribe'.
LIZS luckily my 2 have bills included. Glad the house inspection went well.

LIZS · 20/11/2017 09:16

Been quite a while since anyone posted here! Bit annoyed with ds ll/agency. They have already readvertised the property, and started doing viewings. Even though their lease lasts until June. I've told him that legally they can refuse but they may use same agent again so daren't be uncooperative. His group won't be staying together next year so he will need to find another or go back into halls, although he is worried he'd end up with Freshers.

Leeds2 · 20/11/2017 10:35

Could he stay in the same house/flat, but with other flatmates? Just thinking it would be less hassle as he presumably wouldn't have to move his things out.
I would've thought it sensible to keep all the freshers together, and non freshers on a different floor/in a different building. But what do I know?! I hope your DS manages to find something that he is happy with.

Squirrills · 20/11/2017 10:45

Hi LIZS and Leeds.
I wondered what other DC were doing for year 3. DS seems happy enough in his house but they won't be staying together next year for various reasons. So he has a dilemma. Halls is an option but he thinks that may be noisy and he really likes quiet. He seems to have plenty of friends he could share with but many are party types and he doesn't want to live with them.

LIZS · 20/11/2017 12:17

He could stay put but wouldn't want to take on responsibility for finding a group, it isn't particularly cheap and not the best of walks to campus in the dark. It might be possible to find another group of friends who need one or two, if someone is taking a year abroad for example. I've suggested he drop by the Accommodations Office to see what their policy is.

hellsbells99 · 21/11/2017 07:19

Both DDs's houses have already had viewers for next year and possibly may have already been signed up by other groups. DD2 has signed for a smaller house with 3 of her existing house mates very close to where she lives now. DD1 isn't sure what she is doing yet apart from she doesn't want to share with her current house mates. She says she doesn't mind leaving it until a lot later as there are always individual rooms rented in shared houses.

hennipenni · 21/11/2017 17:04

DD has started looking for next years accommodation, she's sharing with the same sharers that she's with now plus one more so they need a 5 bedroomed house. I seem to remember last year that they looked around "show" houses to get a feel of what they would get, chose the area and house, then put down a very small deposit without looking at the actual house. They got to look around when the previous occupants moved out. Seemed to work well last year as DD house is lovely, clean and was well maintained. Not sure if this will be the same for this year as the company have been bought out by a different company.

Leeds2 · 21/11/2017 18:13

My DD doesn't have quite the same stress about accommodation, as she is guaranteed uni accommodation for all 4 years. They do some sort of draw for it around February time, and are allowed to specify where they would like to live and with how many. It all sounded terribly complicated last time, so I stayed right out of it! She does have the option of going for privately rented accommodation, but I have tried to persuade her not to!

EllenJanethickerknickers · 22/11/2017 21:37

DS1 will be moving next year as well. There are 7 of them who want to share as some are doing a year abroad in his main group of 10 friends, currently in 2 houses of 5. They know how the allocations work this time around, so they should be successful, hopefully. Accommodation website opens on 29th Nov.

Current house has had heating problems which they didn't get around to complaining about until Nov, (sigh,) and then couldn't get organised to be have someone at the house when the plumber called, (double sigh.)

All sorted now. He's bought a bike and is cycling to campus each day, saving him bus fares. He's partying hard I think, but working hard as well.

GasLightShining · 08/12/2017 13:28

DS is possibly looking to move with the 4 in his house (and possibly 1 other). Not sure it makes sense as their landlord seems to deal with any problems virtually straightaway. Depends how much cheaper they can get accommodation and the condition I suppose

Creature2017 · 10/12/2017 08:36

Mine in halls this year and next year both as far as I know have now arranged it. I had to post both their passports and paid the deposit for one and one so far has needed a guarantor too.

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